Barium Swallowing Study | Parkview Health

A swallowing study is a test that shows what your throat and esophagus do while you swallow. The test uses X-rays in real time (fluoroscopy) and records what happens when you swallow. While you swallow, the doctor and speech pathologist watch a video screen.

For a swallowing study, you will swallow liquid mixed with a substance called barium. Or you might swallow solid foods coated with barium.

The barium shows the movements of your throat and esophagus on the X-ray while you swallow.

How is a swallowing study done?

Before the test

Remove any jewelry that might get in the way of the X-ray picture.
You may need to take off all or most of your clothes around the area being X-rayed.
You may be given a gown to wear during the test.
A lead shield will be placed over your pelvic area to protect it from radiation.

During the test

You will stand or sit in front of the X-ray machine while the test is done.
The doctor and a speech pathologist will guide you through a series of swallowing steps.
Depending on the type of study, you will swallow liquid mixed with barium or solid foods coated with barium.
While you swallow, the doctor and speech pathologist will watch the video screen. They may ask you to take different positions to see how they affect your swallowing. The X-rays are recorded so they can be looked at later.

What happens after a swallowing study?

You will probably be able to go home right away.
You can go back to your usual activities right away.
You may feel bloated and a little sick to your stomach.
You may have light-colored stools for a few days after the test while the barium leaves your body.
When the swallowing study is done, you may eat and drink whatever you like, unless your doctor tells you not to.
The barium may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water for a couple of days after the test. You may take a laxative if needed. Call your doctor if you haven't had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days after the test.

What are the risks of a swallowing study?

The barium in the food isn't harmful.

Some people gag when they drink the barium fluid. In rare cases, a person may choke and inhale (aspirate) some of the liquid into the lungs.

There is a small chance that the barium will block the intestine or leak into the belly through a perforated ulcer.

If your doctor thinks you may be at risk for complications, he or she may use a special type of contrast material (Gastrografin) instead of barium.

There is always a small chance of damage to cells or tissue from being exposed to any radiation, even the low level of radiation used for this test.