Why You May Need a Capsule Endoscopy
Posted By Author on October 8, 2021
Digestive issues can be difficult to diagnose. A capsule endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to determine the cause of GI issues – and help patients find much-needed relief.
Here at Charleston GI, our gastroenterologists rely on capsule endoscopies to achieve the following:
- Find relief from chronic heartburn or acid reflux
- Screen for cancers of the digestive tract and colon
- Biopsy suspicious growths or tissue, or remove polyps
- Treat bleeding
- Open up your digestive tract, widen narrow area or remove blockages and trapped food
- Search for inflammation or ulcers in the GI tract’s lining
- Diagnose any infections or conditions, like Crohn’s disease
The Procedure
Capsule endoscopy is performed to evaluate the part of the bowel that cannot be reached by a traditional upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. During a capsule endoscopy, patients swallow a capsule (the size of a large vitamin pill) that is actually a tiny video camera. The capsule takes photographs of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine as it moves through the body, transmitting to a data recorder worn on the patient’s waist for approximately eight hours. At the end of the procedure, you will return to the office to remove the data recorder. Your Charleston endoscopy doctor will then review the images.
Below are reasons your GI specialist may recommend a capsule endoscopy:
- Unexplained bleeding in the small intestine
- Polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ulcers
- Tumors of the small intestine
- Abdominal pain
How to Prepare for a Capsule Endoscopy
Preparation for an endoscopy may require the discontinuation of certain medications. Your GI doctor will also likely request that you do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. For capsule endoscopies, an empty stomach is recommended for at least twelve hours before the examination. If you experience severe pain, bleeding or other symptoms after your procedure, contact your GI specialist
Schedule Your Capsule Endoscopy with Charleston GI Today!
To learn more about capsule endoscopy or standard endoscopy procedure, you can visit us or schedule an appointment at Charleston GI today! We offer 4 convenient locations throughout the Lowcountry in Summerville, Carnes Crossroads, Mount Pleasant and West Ashley. Our team of highly-qualified specialists are committed to providing a higher standard of caring – and relief from digestive symptoms!
No referral needed!
Dedicated to providing a higher standard of caring, our team is proud to serve Lowcountry patients here at home. To learn more about capsule endoscopies or to schedule yours today, contact Charleston GI today!
More Helpful Gastrointestinal Blogs
- 10 TIPS FOR IMPROVING GUT HEALTH
- COMMON UNHEALTHY HABITS THAT HARM YOUR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
- WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST GASTROENTEROLOGY APPOINTMENT
- WHO SHOULD SCHEDULE A COLONOSCOPY?
