What is a Esophagram?
Listen to pronunciation. (ee-SAH-fuh-gram) A series of x-ray pictures of the esophagus taken after a patient drinks a liquid containing barium sulfate (a form of the silver-white metallic element barium).
What does an upper GI test for?
An upper GI series is done to find the cause of symptoms such as vomiting, burping up food, trouble swallowing, poor weight gain, bleeding, or belly pain. It’s used to find narrow spots or blockages in the upper intestinal tract. The test can also find ulcers, polyps, and pyloric stenosis.
What does an Esophagram diagnose?
Your doctor has requested a procedure called an esophagram or barium swallow. This exam is performed to assess frequent heartburn (pain), gastric reflux (food/acid coming back up), aspiration (food or fluid in your wind pipe), difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing.
What is the difference between an upper GI series and an endoscopy?
If just the throat and esophagus are looked at, it’s called an esophagram (or barium swallow). Upper endoscopy is done instead of an upper GI series in certain cases. Endoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) to look at the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine (duodenum).
What is Dysphagie?
Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others can’t swallow at all. Other signs of dysphagia include: coughing or choking when eating or drinking. bringing food back up, sometimes through the nose.
What is Presbyesophagus?
Presbyesophagus is a term used to describe an abnormal shape of the swallowing tube (esophagus) that occurs in some individuals. In this situation, the esophagus appears wavier than a typically straight esophagus. This change may impact esophageal movement (motility).
Why would a doctor order an upper GI?
Your doctor may order an upper GI endoscopy if you have long-term symptoms of GERD. Typical symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, regurgitation and nausea. Doctors perform an upper GI endoscopy with a special light that highlights abnormal tissue, and then they take a biopsy.
Is an upper GI painful?
An upper GI may make you feel a little bloated or crampy, but you won’t need any pain medicine. To start, you’ll drink a special liquid with barium.
What is the difference between a barium swallow and an Esophagram?
What is an esophagram? An esophagram is also commonly known as a barium swallow test. This x-ray test takes pictures of the esophagus after barium is swallowed to outline and coat the walls of this small region. It provides a detailed view of the esophagus showing doctors how well the body part is functioning.
Is esophageal stricture life threatening?
Many patients need more than one dilation over time to keep the esophagus wide enough for food to pass through. In rare cases, severe and untreated esophageal strictures can cause perforations (small rips), which can be life-threatening.
What is painful swallowing called?
“Odynophagia” is the medical term for painful swallowing. Pain can be felt in your mouth, throat, or esophagus. You may experience painful swallowing when drinking or eating food. Sometimes swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, can accompany the pain, but odynophagia is often a condition of its own.
What is upper and lower GI series?
Barium X-rays (also called upper and lower GI series) are used to diagnose abnormalities of the GI tract, such as tumors, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions, polyps, hernias, and strictures. The use of barium with standard X-rays contributes to the visibility of various characteristics of the GI tract.
What does GI series mean?
gastrointestinal series (GI series) an examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract using barium as the contrast medium for a series of x-ray films; see also barium test. Called also barium meal.
Is upper GI series and barium swallow the same?
An upper GI is usually the same as a regular barium swallow, meaning that fluoroscopic films and/or regular Xrays are taken as and after the person drinks barium liquid, and the views include the oral pharynx (usually), esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small bowel (duodenum).
What is lower GI series used for?
A lower gastrointestinal series is a medical procedure used to examine and diagnose problems with the human colon (large intestine).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYEy2Rz77s