A barium enema is a type of X-ray medical professionals use to uncover ailments, such as cancer or diverticulitis, in your colon, or large intestine. Before your barium enema, you must adhere to a special diet to ensure that your colon and rectum do not contain any fecal matter. You begin the barium enema diet 24 hours before your scheduled test and do not return to your normal eating patterns until after you have undergone the procedure, according to Ohio State University Medical Center's Department of Radiology.
Day-Before Diet
On the day before your scheduled barium enema, you can only consume tea or coffee without powdered or liquid milk or cream, water, apple juice, chilled gelatin or chicken or beef broth. Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., you drink four glasses of water in addition to all of the liquids that you are already consuming.
At 1 p.m., you consume a chilled, 10 oz. bottle of magnesium citrate poured over a glass of ice. You also take two bisacodyl tablets at this time. Magnesium citrate increases the amount of water in your intestines, which initiates defecation, while the bisacodyl tablets help to more quickly move the fecal matter out of your intestines, according to Drugs.com. You continue to consume the allowed beverages and chilled gelatin until bedtime.
Morning of Test
On the morning of your barium enema, only take prescription medications that do not have to be consumed with food or milk. Take those medications with only a sip of water. Take all of your other medications after the test is over.
Considerations
The barium enema diet might make you dizzy or weak, warns the OSUMC's Department of Radiology. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask someone to drive you to and from the hospital on the day of your test.
Warning
Speak to your doctor about all of the medications you are taking at least one week before your scheduled exam. Your doctor might advise you to temporarily stop taking certain medications for hours or days before the exam to get a more accurate reading, according to MayoClinic.com.
