What causes high barium levels?
People with the greatest known risk of exposure to high levels of barium are those working in industries that make or use barium compounds. Most of these exposed persons breathe air that contains barium sulfate or barium carbonate.
Is barium toxic if ingested?
Ingestion of certain forms of barium (e.g., barium carbonate or barium fluoride) in toxic amounts can lead to gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (e.g., vomiting, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea).
How does the body get rid of barium?
You should drink lots of fluids and eat high-fiber foods to help move the barium through your digestive tract and out of your body. If that doesn’t help, your doctor might give you a laxative to help move it through. After your procedure, you might notice that your bowel movements are lighter in color.
Is barium sulfate toxic?
Adverse Reactions. Barium sulfate is insoluble and non-toxic. It is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, remaining entirely in the lumen.
What are the dangers of barium?
Small amounts of water-soluble barium may cause a person to experience breathing difficulties, increased blood pressures, heart rhythm changes, stomach irritation, muscle weakness, changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of brains and liver, kidney and heart damage. Barium has not shown to cause cancer with humans.
What are the side effects of barium?
Barium sulfate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- stomach cramps.
- diarrhea.
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- constipation.
- weakness.
- pale skin.
- sweating.
Is barium bad for your kidneys?
Oral “milkshake” barium contrast agents, used in CT scans of the digestive system, do not cause kidney damage, and were not included.
What foods have barium in it?
The average adult contains about 22 mg of barium because it is present in foods such as carrots, onions, lettuce, beans, and cereal grains.