It's a fluid which has barium in it - Barium is radioactive, and shows up on X-rays. The barium 'meal' (as it's also called) is used by doctors to observe the passages of fluid etc through the digestive tract.
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It is commonly used to diagnose the cause of difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) and for detecting hiatal hernia.
barium swallow test cost in Pakistan 5000 RS
Swallowing barium for a medical imaging test like a barium swallow provides clear images of your digestive system. It is usually safe when done under medical supervision. However, if accidentally ingested in large amounts, barium can be toxic and cause serious health issues such as poisoning.
A barium meal involves drinking a barium solution to help visualize the entire digestive system, while a barium swallow specifically looks at the esophagus and stomach by drinking a smaller amount of barium. Both tests use X-rays to capture images of the digestive tract.
Some of the side effects from a barium swallow test could be cramping, vomiting, or troubles swallowing. It could also go down the windpipe and cause infections or breathing trouble.
Yes, barium sulfate is sometimes used in medical imaging procedures such as a barium swallow or barium meal. However, it is not typically referred to as a "chalk drink" as it does not serve the same purpose as consuming chalk.