Barium Enema Essay -- essays research papers fc

Everyone should know that a lower GI is a very common and important exam used to diagnose many colon conditions. A lower GI examination, also know as a barium enema, is an x-ray examination of the large intestine. The large intestine, or large bowel, consists of the entire colon, including the appendix, rectum, and sigmoid colon. This commonly performed test is essentially the predecessor to the more familiar colonoscopy. A lower GI is used worldwide to help diagnose fatal diseases and many other problems that affect the large intestine. Some of the reasons that your doctor might order this exam are if you are experiencing diarrhea, constipation, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, anemia, to screen for colon polyps or colorectal cancer. Because this test demonstrates the large bowel, it is imperative to clean out the bowel completely. The smallest amount of stool left in the intestine can affect the accuracy of the test. To ensure the colon is cleaned the patient is instructed to be on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours prior to the exam. They are also instructed to take a strong laxative the day before. Most patients say that the preparation for the exam is the worst part. Before the test is started an x-ray of the abdomen is taken to check for residual stool and gas. If there is too much stool remaining in the bowel, the patient will have to be rescheduled, and take the laxative prep again. A barium enema test is done by a radiologist and one or two radiographe...