Barium Meal Treatment in India
About Barium Meal
Key Highlights
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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.
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Typical hospital stay:
0 days (Outpatient)
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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.
Popular choices for barium meal in India include Medanta The Medicity, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Gem Hospital Perungudi, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform barium meal. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
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.
Top hospitals for Barium Meal in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing barium meal.
Kolkata, India
72 Doctors
I'd been to three other doctors...
I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging pain and fatigue. Everyone said it was stress. Dr. Latha at MGM was the first one who actually sat and listened, really listened, to everything I was saying. She ordered a specific test the others hadn't, and it turned out to be something quite rare. She explained it all to me in plain Tamil, drew diagrams on a notepad. I was scared, but she laid out a clear plan. It's been a long road, but I finally feel like we're getting somewhere.
Gastroenterologists for Barium Meal
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform barium meal and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital Noida Sector 11
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Baner
- 19 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria
- 24 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria
- 7 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Gem Hospital Perungudi
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Gem Hospital Perungudi
- 17 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road