 Follow a special diet the day before the exam.

You may be asked not to eat and

to drink only clear liquids — such as water, tea or coffee without milk or cream,
broth, and clear carbonated beverages.

 Fast after midnight. Usually, you'll be asked not to drink or eat anything after
midnight before the exam.

 Take a laxative the night before the exam. A laxative, in a pill or liquid form, will
help empty your colon.

 Use an enema kit. In some cases, you may need to use an over-the-counter
enema kit — either the night before the exam or a few hours before the exam —
that provides a cleansing solution to remove any residue in your colon.

 Ask your doctor about your medications. At least a week before your exam, talk
with your doctor about the medications you normally take. He or she may ask you
to stop taking them days or hours before the exam.

Any residue in your colon may obscure the X-ray images or be mistaken for an abnormality.

the balloon helps keep the barium inside your body

Do your best to hold the enema tube in place. To relax, take long, deep breaths.

This helps ensure that your entire colon is coated with barium and enables the radiologist to
view the colon from various angles.

you may find you can reduce your risk of constipation by drinking extra fluids in the days
following your exam

Diverticulosis - occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive
tract.
Diverticulitis- When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected
bulging pouches (diverticula)
Single contrast barium enema is a method of imaging the colon with fluoroscopy and is similar
in concept to the double contrast barium enema. "Single contrast" refers to imaging
with barium or water-soluble contrast only, without addition of air or CO2.

A double-contrast barium enema is a form of contrast radiography in which x-rays of the colon
and rectum are taken using two forms of contrast to make the structures easier to see.

An aphthous ulcer is typically a recurrent round or oval sore or ulcer i