Learn about Barium Meal Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Barium Meal and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Barium Meal

A Barium Meal, also known as an Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series, is a specialized X-ray imaging procedure performed by a Gastroenterologist to examine the structure and function of your upper digestive tract. During the test, you drink a chalky liquid containing barium sulfate, a contrast agent that coats the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum). This coating allows these organs to be clearly visualized on X-ray images as you swallow and as the barium moves through your system. The procedure helps diagnose conditions like ulcers, tumors, inflammation (esophagitis, gastritis), hiatal hernias, and blockages. It is a non-invasive, outpatient test that provides valuable insights without the need for sedation or incisions, making it a fundamental tool in gastroenterological diagnostics.

Key Highlights

    Non-invasive diagnostic imaging procedure with no incisions or sedation required.Provides clear, real-time visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.Effectively detects structural abnormalities like ulcers, tumors, and strictures.Assesses functional issues such as swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and reflux.Typically an outpatient procedure with no hospital stay needed for most patients.Generally well-tolerated with minimal discomfort and a quick recovery time./ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • Persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or unexplained vomiting.
  • Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia or odynophagia).
  • Suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn.
  • Evaluation for ulcers (gastric or duodenal), inflammation (gastritis), or tumors.
  • Investigation of unexplained weight loss or anemia (low blood count).
  • Suspected hiatal hernia or structural abnormalities like strictures.
  • Assessing the anatomy and motility (movement) of the upper GI tract.

How to prepare

  • You will typically be asked to fast (no food or drink) for 8-12 hours before the procedure, usually after midnight.
  • Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • Notify your doctor if you have any allergies, especially to contrast materials, or if you are pregnant or suspect you might be.
  • You may be asked to stop taking certain medications like antacids or bismuth subsalicylate before the test.
  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and remove any jewelry or metal objects before the X-rays.
  • Follow any specific dietary restrictions provided by your healthcare team, such as a clear liquid diet the day before.

Risks & possible complications

  • Allergic reaction to the barium contrast, though this is very rare.
  • Temporary constipation or impaction (hardened stool) from the barium.
  • Nausea, abdominal cramping, or a feeling of fullness during or after the test.
  • Very low radiation exposure from the X-rays; the benefit of diagnosis outweighs this minimal risk.
  • Extremely rare risk of barium leaking into the abdominal cavity if there is an undetected perforation (tear) in the GI tract.
  • White or light-colored stools for 1-3 days after the procedure is normal and not a risk.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • You can resume normal activities and diet immediately after the procedure, unless instructed otherwise.
  • Drink plenty of water and fluids for the next 24-48 hours to help flush the barium from your system and prevent constipation.
  • Your stools may appear white, gray, or light-colored for a day or two; this is normal.
  • Contact your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, inability to have a bowel movement, or signs of an allergic reaction (rash, difficulty breathing) after going home.
  • A Gastroenterologist will review the X-ray images and provide you with the results and any necessary follow-up steps.
  • No specific wound care is needed as the procedure is non-invasive.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient)
  • checked Expected recovery time: 0-1 days

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering barium meal in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for barium meal compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 2 Thousand – 8 Thousand 0 days (Outpatient) ~ 0-1 days Know More
Turkey TRY 7 Thousand – 28 Thousand 0 days (Outpatient) ~ 0-1 days Know More

Top hospitals for Barium Meal in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing barium meal.

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Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
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2143+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Baner

  • IconPune, India
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1681+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Dwarka

  • IconDelhi, India
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2478+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

  • IconBangalore, India
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1610+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Varthur Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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91+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
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1837+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salem

  • IconSalem, India
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2882+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
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534+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur

  • IconBangalore, India
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537+ Rating

Manipal Hospitals Broadway

  • IconKolkata, India
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5990+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Rangapani

  • IconSiliguri, India
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5734+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
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89+ Rating

Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

  • IconKolkata, India
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279+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Jaipur

  • IconJaipur, India
  • Icon55 Doctors
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98+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur

  • IconBangalore, India
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65+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
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135+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
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12320+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon78 Doctors
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185+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors
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872+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Millers Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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15+ Rating

SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

  • IconChennai, India
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418+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Hebbal

  • IconBangalore, India
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694+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kharadi

  • IconPune, India
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156+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Patiala

  • IconPatiala, India
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181+ Rating

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

Aditya Khan, a 42-year-old restaurant owner,...

Aditya Khan, a 42-year-old restaurant owner, had been struggling for months with a persistent, gnawing pain in his upper abdomen that worsened after meals. As someone who prided himself on his stamina, he dismissed it as stress from long hours. However, when he started experiencing unexplained weight loss and occasional vomiting, his wife insisted he see a doctor. His GP, concerned about a possible ulcer or stomach issue, referred him to a gastroenterologist. Dr. Sharma recommended a Barium Meal to get a clear picture of his stomach lining and motility. Aditya was nervous; the idea of drinking the thick, chalky liquid was unappealing, and he worried about what they might find. During the procedure, the radiologist was reassuring, guiding him through the different positions as the X-ray camera captured images. It was uncomfortable but manageable. The test revealed a benign gastric ulcer, likely exacerbated by his irregular eating habits and stress. Relieved it wasn't something more serious, Aditya felt a weight lift. He followed a prescribed course of medication and dietary changes. Emotionally, he shifted from fear and denial to proactive relief. The procedure, while unpleasant, gave him the answers he needed to heal, and he's now committed to a better work-life balance.

Gastroenterologists for Barium Meal

Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform barium meal and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. S Palaniappan
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. A Murali
  • 34 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mohit P Shetti
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sreenivasa D
  • 39 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Pratap Kumar Behera
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Gyanranjan Rout
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. TEJASWINI TUMMA
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. V.R SUMANTH KUMAR
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ayush Dhingra
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sharath Kote G S
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Kannada, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Cytecare Hospital, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. KNK Shetty
  • 49 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ravi Sahay
  • 35 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Neeraj Dhar
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anurag Tandon
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Harsh Kapoor
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vishal Khurana
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Raj Vigna Venugopal
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anand Dotihal
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Jagdish
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Aliem Nagui Mohammed Minathullah
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated