Let's learn about the tests that are done for your stomach problems? (Gastrointestinal (GI) Exams)

Do you sometimes experience stomach discomfort , pain, or digestive problems? Sometimes, doctors order special tests to find the exact cause of these things. That's what a ``Gastrointestinal'' or GI test is. Today, we'll talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What are Gastrointestinal (GI) Examinations?

Simply put, a GI exam is a special procedure that looks inside our digestive system (the entire system from where we take in food to where we excrete waste). Think of it like a camera looking at the organs inside our stomach.

Doctors use X-ray technology to perform these tests. But this is not like a regular X-ray. Most often, a special X-ray technique called `` Fluoroscopy '' is used for this. This allows you to watch the organs inside your stomach live, like a video. That is, the doctor can see how things are happening when you swallow food and digest food in your stomach. When you look at it this way, you can easily find out if there is any problem, blockage, or other abnormality in the digestive tract.

What are the different types of GI exams?

There are different types of GI tests. They depend on which part of your digestive tract is being examined. There are several main types:

• Barium Swallow Test (Esophagram): This mainly looks at your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach). It looks at how a liquid moves when you swallow it. This usually takes about an hour.
• Upper GI Series: This examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine (also called the duodenum). This can take about an hour and a half.
• Small Bowel Series: As the name suggests, this looks at your entire small intestine. It takes a while, about two to four hours.
• Barium Enema / Lower Bowel Series: This looks at the last part of the small intestine (ileum), the large intestine (also called the colon), and the rectum. This takes about an hour or two.

Why would I need a GI exam?

If you have these symptoms, your doctor may recommend this GI test:

• If you have difficulty swallowing food or feel like something is stuck in your throat.
• Filling the stomach wellIf you have frequent episodes of severe indigestion.
• If it comes up into the throat, that means if there is a condition called `(Reflux)` .
• If you have persistent stomach pain.
• If you have frequent bloating, it means you have conditions like diarrhea .
• If you vomit frequently.
• If you have blood in your stool .

When symptoms like these occur, these tests are very helpful in finding out exactly what is causing them.

What diseases can GI exams diagnose?

These tests can diagnose various diseases of the digestive system. Here are a few examples:

• Ulcers in the stomach or intestines.
• Tumors in the digestive tract (these may or may not be cancerous ).
• Polyps (these are small growths that form on the inner surface of the colon).
• Hiatal hernias (this is when part of the stomach protrudes into the chest).
• Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis (these are small pouches that form in the large intestine and become infected).
• Esophageal varices .
• Barrett's esophagus (in which the cells in the esophagus change).
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing food).
• Frequent heartburn is called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) .
• Gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach).
• Enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine).
• Gastroenteritis (commonly called "stomach flu") is an infection of both the stomach and intestines.
• `IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)` (in which symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea may occur alternately).
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) (This is a severe inflammatory condition of the intestines, such as Crohn's disease).

Where can I get a GI exam? (Where would I receive a GI exam?)

These ``(Fluoroscopy)`` tests are usually done in an X-ray department attached to a doctor's office, a specialized X-ray center, or a hospital. Your doctor will recommend the best location for you.

Who performs these GI exams?

These tests are performed by registered and licensed radiation technologists who have received special training in this regard.Radiologic Technologists. Also, after the examination, the X-ray images are reviewed and the diagnosis is made by board-certified radiologists . So you can feel confident that you are in safe hands.

How does this `(Fluoroscopy)` work? (How does a fluoroscopy work?)

Think of a regular X-ray machine. A fluoroscopy machine is similar, but it doesn't just take a single picture. It sends a continuous beam of X-rays through your body and displays the images on a screen, like a video. This allows doctors to see how your organs are working in real time. It can show you if there's a problem with the way your organs are working, if there's a blockage in your digestive tract, or if there's an abnormality in the size, shape, or position of your organs.

Many fluoroscopy tests use a special substance called barium to make the internal organs more clearly visible. It is a white, chalky liquid. You may be given the barium to drink or put it into your rectum as an enema. This depends on whether you are looking at the upper (Upper GI) or lower (Lower GI) part of your digestive tract.

• An ``Upper GI'' test looks at your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine.
• A ``Lower GI'' exam looks at the end of the small intestine and the large intestine (that is, the ``colon'' and the rectum).

How should I prepare for a GI exam?

This is very important . Preparing for the test properly can greatly affect the accuracy of the results. Your doctor or hospital staff will give you specific instructions to follow a few days before the test. You should follow those instructions exactly.

• You may be told to follow a special diet .
• You can say to fast (that is, not eat or drink anything) for a few hours.
• You may also be advised to take laxatives to cleanse your intestines properly.
• If you smoke, you will be asked to stop for a few days. If you are taking certain medications, you will also need to inform your doctor about this and, if necessary, stop taking them for a few days.

On the day of the test, you will be asked to leave your valuables, such as jewelry and credit cards, at home. You will be given a hospital gown to wear.

Most importantly: Don't forget to inform the technician conducting the test about these things in advance:

* If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

* If you are using an insulin pump.

* If you have allergies to things like `(Barium)`.

* If you have difficulty staying in one position for long periods of time.

What happens during a GI exam?

I'll explain this a little, so you'll understand that you have nothing to fear.

An Upper GI exam is:

You will first stand on a tilting X-ray table. The technician will secure you to the table with straps, as the table will be tilted back and forth during the test. If necessary, you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax .

During the test, you will be given a liquid called `(Barium)` to drink. This is what helps to clearly see the organs in your upper digestive tract. The `(Barium)` doesn't taste very good, it's a bit chalky. But they add sweetener and flavoring to it, so it's not a big deal. You will have to drink a mixture of `(Barium)` of different strengths, about 12 ounces in total. Apart from drinking the `(Barium)`, there is no major discomfort during this test.

A lower GI exam is:

In this, you will be asked to lie on a horizontal X-ray table. The technician will strap you in and then insert a barium enema through your anus. The barium will spread throughout your lower digestive tract, making the end of your small intestine and the large intestine clearly visible.

During the test, the table is tilted at different angles to help the barium spread throughout your body, and to help the fluoroscope see from different angles. Sometimes, the technician may also inject a little air into your rectum. This helps the X-ray images become clearer.

The lower GI exam can be a little uncomfortable. You may experience bloating, stomach cramps, and a strong urge to have a bowel movement. After the first few X-rays, you will be helped to the bathroom, or you will be given a bedpan, and asked to pass as much barium as possible. Then you will go back to the X-ray room and have more pictures taken. This time, the barium will be seen on the inside walls of your intestines.

What should I expect after the GI exam?

Once the test is over, you can usually return to your daily activities and normal diet immediately.

• They encourage you to drink plenty of water . That barium will leave your body quickly.
• Your stool may turn white for a few days. Don't worry, that's because the chalky white substance (Barium) is coming out.
• Sometimes, the `(Barium)` can cause temporary bloating or constipation. But it usually goes away on its own in a day or two.

Are GI exams safe?

Fluoroscopic examinations are non-invasive and largely painless.Risk-free methods. The small risks involved are not worth considering when compared to the benefits of these methods.

• Unless you have been exposed to something like barium before, the chance of having an allergic reaction is very low.
• Fluoroscopy does emit a little more radiation than a regular X-ray, but it is not harmful. However, it is not good to have several X-rays in a short period of time. Also, pregnant women should definitely avoid this radiation.
• The risk of infection is very low for both upper GI and lower GI exams.
• An additional, but very small, risk of a lower GI exam is the possibility of a tear or hole in the intestinal wall. If this happens, surgery may be necessary. But remember, this is very rare.

When will I get the results of my GI exam?

Your doctor should usually receive the results of your GI test within 24 hours (on weekdays) of the test. The doctor will then discuss the results with you.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

I hope you now have a good idea about GI tests. These are often simple, painless, and can help you find the cause of your stomach problems.

If you have unexplained symptoms, from swallowing to bowel movements, there is a GI exam that can help. If you prepare properly and set aside a few hours of your time, your doctor can take a look inside your digestive system. They will explain the entire process to you and will be able to talk to you about the results in a day or two. So, don't be afraid, just follow your doctor's instructions.

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