Can you eat before an x-ray on the stomach?

[kat_2502]

Just been to see my GP an hour ago and she said that i need to go to hospital to have an x-ray on my stomach, i asked her if i should go now and she said that would be fine. Does it matter if ive eaten or not?

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, as afr as i am aware, it doesnt matter if you have eaten. i have had loads of x-rays and its never been mentioned to me before. But I suppose if you have been eating kitkats with the foil still on, it may be a different story...

[oopsydoopsy]

Yeah, or whole bones. That could prove interesting.
By the time you have sat and waited for your NHS xray kat, you will undoubtedly have digested anything in your stomach !

[BigDogsWang]

Simple answer, ring the doctor's surgery and ask.

[Fee_B77]

You should ideally have starved for 4 hours and drank only clear fluids. The only reason being that the xray pictures solid matter. If it's a digestion issue there may be a blockage or mass that needs to be diagnosed. HOWEVER, these things to happen and radiographers and radiologists alike are educated and professional enough to make an accurate report even if you have eaten.