does your stomach hurt after a cat-scan?

Question:

i had a catscan this morning and had to drink a lot of barium has anyone who has had one know if it is normal to have a lot of stomach pain from the barium or maybe even an upset stomach

Answers:
I am a registered radiologic technologist; I used to give people barium all the time, but now I do nuclear medicine. But anyways, barium is an inert chalk substance that is suspended in liquid. Once it gets to your colon (large intestine) that is when it gives some people troubles. The colon's function is to reabsorb water from whatever is passing through it, so the colon asbsorbs all the water out of that chalky substance, leaving almost a concrete behind. You need to drink plenty of water and take a mild laxative. If this pain last more than one day see your doctor. A minor risk of barium is bowel impaction, which is when the bowel is completely blocked up, this is dangerous as the bowel can become anoxic and potentially portions of bowel can die, the circulation is cut off. There is very low probability of this, but nonetheless it is possible. But like I said, plenty of fluids and mild laxatives, seek medical attention if it persists!

Other Answers:
I have undergone such examinations and have never suffered any subsequent pain. There may well be other reactions by different people.

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does your stomach hurt after a cat-scan?

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