Upper GI
An Upper GI, or upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, is an x-ray exam of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum) that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material called barium.
Fluoroscopy allows the radiologist to see your internal organs in motion. When the gastrointestinal tract is coated with barium, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and the duodenum.
How to prepare for your upper GI 
Before your upper GI
Your physician will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your upper GI.
You should inform your physician:
- of any medications you are taking
- if you have any allergies
- about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
- If you are pregnant
To ensure the best possible image quality, your stomach must be empty of food. You will likely be asked not to eat or drink anything (including any medications taken by mouth, especially antacids) and to refrain from chewing gum and smoking after midnight on the day of the examination. You also may be asked to take a laxative.
You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.
During your upper GI
You will be asked to drink liquid barium, which resembles a light-colored milkshake. As you drink this, the radiologist will watch the barium pass through your digestive tract on a fluoroscope, a device that projects images onto a monitor. The exam table will be positioned at different angles and your abdomen may be compressed to help spread the barium. Once the upper gastrointestinal tract is adequately coated with the barium, still x-ray images will be taken.
During the exam, it is important that you hold very still. You may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the x-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The technologist will walk behind a wall or into the next room to activate the x-ray machine.
For a double-contrast upper GI, the patient will swallow baking-soda crystals that create gas in the stomach while additional x-rays are taken.
This exam is usually completed within 20 minutes.
After your upper GI
You should increase your water and fiber intake for the next two days. The barium may make your stools white for a few days. This is normal. You may take a laxative for constipation.
After your radiographs have been reviewed by our radiologist, your personal physician will receive a report of the findings. Your physician will then advise you of the results and discuss what further procedures, if any, are needed.
The radiation that you are exposed to during this examination passes through you immediately. You are not “radioactive” and it is not necessary to take any special precautions following your examination.
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