Barium Enema

Note: The information below is a general guide only. The arrangements, and the way tests are performed, may vary between different hospitals and doctors. Always follow the instructions given by your local hospital or doctor relating to any test or procedure.

What is a barium enema?

A barium enema is used to look for problems in the colon such as polyps, inflammation (colitis), narrowing of the colon, tumours, diverticula, etc.

The gut does not show up very well on ordinary x-ray pictures. However, if a liquid that contains barium is placed in the gut, the outline of the gut (intestines) shows up clearly on x-ray pictures. This is because x-rays do not pass through barium. A thick white liquid that contains barium is used as an enema to place in the lower gut (colon).

(Barium liquid can also be taken as a drink and is used to obtain clear x-ray pictures of the upper gut - the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. See separate leaflet called 'Barium Swallow / Meal / Follow Through'.)

What preparation do I need to do before a barium enema?

The preparation aims to clear out any faeces (stools) from your colon before the test. So, you should be given some strong laxatives, and instructions how to use them, from your doctor or the hospital department which does the test.

You should also be advised on the kind of food to eat for a day or so before the test.

You will usually be advised to carry on with your normal medication except for iron tablets.

How is a barium enema done?

You will be asked to wear a gown and to lie on a couch on your side or front. A small tube is put into your anus (back passage) and gently pushed up a few centimetres. Barium liquid is then passed through the tube into your colon.

The aim is to get the barium liquid to spread all along the colon as far as the caecum (where the small intestine joins the colon). To help with this the person doing the test may:

• Ask you to move into different positions onto your back, sides etc, to help with the flow of the barium liquid.
• Give you an injection of a drug that makes the muscles in the wall of the colon relax.
• Pass some air down the enema tube into the colon. (This may feel a little uncomfortable - like 'trapped wind'.) The air expands the colon and also pushes the barium to coat the lining of the colon. This makes the x-ray pictures much clearer as it is the shape and contours of the lining of the colon which needs to be seen most clearly on the pictures.

When the barium has spread throughout the colon, several x-ray pictures are taken with you in different positions. The aim is to have pictures of all parts of the colon. (Low dose x-rays are used so the total amount of radiation for the whole test is quite small and thought to be safe.)

The tube is then removed and you can go to the toilet. The test takes about 15-20 minutes.

Are there any side-effects or risks from a barium enema?

• Some people feel a little sickly or have stomach cramps for a few hours afterwards.
• The barium may make you constipated. So, to help prevent constipation:
  • Have lots to drink for a day or so to flush the barium out of your gut.
  • Eat plenty of fruit for a day or so.
  • See your doctor if you haven't passed any faeces (stools) after three or four days.
• If you had an injection to relax the muscles in your colon, it may cause some blurring of your vision for an hour or so. If this happens it is best not to drive until this passes.
• The barium does not get absorbed into the body. So, it is rare for a barium test to cause any other complications or side-effects. Rare complications are:
  • Perforation of the colon (making a small hole in the wall of the colon). This is generally only a risk if you have a badly inflamed colon.
  • A reaction to the injection of muscle relaxant mentioned above.

After you have had a barium enema

• You should be able to go home as soon as the test is finished. However, you may have some stomach cramps due to some 'trapped air'. So, you may want to stay near a toilet for an hour or so.
• You can eat normally straight afterwards.
• The barium will make your faeces white or pale until it has all passed out from your colon (after a day or so).

Some other points about a barium enema

• Tell your doctor if you have insulin-dependent diabetes, so that you can arrange for the best time for you to stop eating and for the test to be done.
• Pregnant women, if possible, should not have an any x-ray test as there is a small risk that x-rays may cause an abnormality to the unborn child. This is why women are asked before having an x-ray if they are, of might be, pregnant.
• A barium enema is done less commonly thesedays as the more common test to look inside the colon is with a flexible telescope (colonoscopy). However, there is still a place for a barium enema to help to diagnose and assess various conditions of the gut.

© EMIS and PIP 2006   Updated: October 2006

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.