WIRELESS CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY

WIRELESS CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY

Wireless capsule endoscopy is a technique that uses a small wireless camera to capture pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits within a vitamin-size capsule you swallow. The camera takes thousands of photographs sent to a recorder.

Capsule endoscopy allows physicians to see a region that is not easily accessed with more conventional endoscopy procedures within your small intestine. Traditional endoscopy includes moving a long, flexible tube down your throat or through your rectum, fitted with a video camera.

SYMPTOMS

The doctor will recommend a capsule endoscopy procedure to:

  • Know the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. 
  • Diagnose inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. 
  • Diagnose cancer.
  • Diagnose celiac disease. 
  • Examine your esophagus.
  • Screen for polyps.
  • Do follow-up testing after X-rays or other imaging tests. 

DIAGNOSIS

Before your capsule endoscopy, the doctor will ask you to take steps to prepare yourself.

It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions in preparing for your capsule endoscopy. 

Food And Medications

To capture clear images of your digestive tract, you will stop eating and drinking at least 12 hours before the procedure. 

Do not take certain medications to keep them away from interfering with the camera.

Before The Procedure

Your health care staff will discuss the procedure on the day of your capsule endoscopy. You may be asked to remove your shirt so that it is possible to apply adhesive patches to your abdomen. An antenna with wires that connect to a recorder is included in each patch. Patches are not available for certain devices.

You wear the recorder around your waist on a special belt. The camera sends images, which feed the data recorder, to the antenna patches on your abdomen. The recorder captures the photos and stores them.

During The Procedure

Once the recorder is connected and ready, you will swallow the camera capsule with water. Once you swallow it, you will not be able to feel it. 

After The Procedure

After you swallow the capsule, wait for two hours to resume drinking clear liquids. After four hours, you will have a light lunch or a snack.

After eight hours, the capsule endoscopy procedure is complete or when you see the camera capsule in the toilet after a bowel movement.

Once the procedure is finished, your body expels the camera capsule within hours or after several days.

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