114 Medical Terminology: Mastering the Basics smoking, and drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which irritate the muco- sal lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. H. pylori infections are treated with antibiotic drugs and antacids. The patient is also instructed to avoid taking any drugs that contain aspirin. Procedures and Treatments In this section, we will briefly describe some common diagnostic proce- dures used to help identify diseases and disorders of the digestive system, as well as therapeutic procedures used to treat certain conditions. Barium Enema A barium enema is a diagnostic procedure in which barium is used as a contrast agent to enable radiographic visualization of the large intestine. A barium enema is also called a lower gastrointestinal (LGI) series (Figure 3.8). Before a barium enema test, the patient cleanses the bowel by following a special diet and taking a laxative. The procedure involves infusing the bar- ium through a catheter (tube) inserted through the anus and into the rectum, until the barium fills the large intestine. X-rays are then taken of the entire length of the colon (Figure 3.9). A barium enema is used to define normal and abnormal anatomy of the colon. The procedure is performed to help diagnose disorders such as diverticulosis Figure 3.8 During a barium enema, also called a lower gastrointestinal (LGI) series, a radioactive agent is introduced through a catheter inserted into the anus and rectum. Barium liquid