A diagnostic procedure, in which you have to swallow a capsule that has a micro camera within it, is known as capsule endoscopy. The camera takes images of your stomach, esophagus and small intestine as it passes through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There are various advantages to this procedure. It is minimally invasive and painless. You don’t need any anaesthesia for going through this procedure. The doctor can get a clear view of the whole small intestine in this procedure.
The purpose
It is possible to diagnose the parts of the GI tract that other endoscopy types cannot examine, in this procedure. If the top gastro specialist in Kolkata suspects diseases in the small intestine, they suggest this procedure. They also sometimes carry out this procedure to find the location of any damage, bleeding or inflammation. This procedure is of great use for the following purposes:
- Diagnosis of unexplained GI bleeding
- Diagnosis of unexplained abdominal pain
- Screening for ulcers, polyps or tumours
- Diagnosis of Crohn’s disease
- Diagnosis of celiac disease
- Diagnosis of cancer
- Follow-up tests after imaging tests
Preparations
From at least 12 hours before you go for the procedure, you should not eat or drink anything. This helps in the capturing of clear images by the camera. You may need to empty your small intestine as this also helps in getting clear images. The gastroenterologist in Kolkata may suggest you stop certain medicines before the procedure.
A medical team will carry out a physical examination and review your medical history. A doctor will attach some adhesive patches to your abdomen after you remove your shirt. A recorder will be connected with the patches through antennas. The antenna patches receive the images from the camera and then they move to the recorder. A special belt around your waist will hold the recorder.
The procedure
After the doctor connects the recorder and it becomes ready, you have to swallow the capsule holding the camera with water. You will not have any problem with swallowing it and after swallowing you can get back to your normal activities. The doctor will discuss the restrictions you need to follow after the procedure.
After the procedure
You can start drinking clear liquids after two hours have passed since you swallowed the capsule. A gastro specialist in Kolkata normally suggests you can have some light snacks after four hours. When the capsule gets out of your body during bowel movements, the procedure is complete. However, even if the capsule doesn’t get out of your body before eight hours, the procedure is considered complete. You will then have to remove the recorder and patches from your body. You should consult the doctor if the capsule doesn’t get out of your body within two weeks. The doctor will check the presence of the capsule in your body with the help of X-rays. If it is still there in your body, the doctor will remove it by a traditional endoscopy procedure or surgery.
