What kinds of diseases does a Barium Swallow detect?

Question

I had a barium swallow yesterday, due to the fact that my doctor thinks I may have an ulcer.

I am wondering what other kinds of things can be detected by this test?

Answer 1

It just makes the alimentary canal show up on an X-ray, so you can see any physical irregularity.  Barium Sulphate is the main ingredient in that foul "milk" they gave you --- like bone or metal, it blocks X-rays.

Answer 2

a barium swallow doesn't look for disease, it looks for physical changes that result from disease.