Capsule Endoscopy
What is Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule Endoscopy lets Dr. Klin examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine and cannot be easily reached by traditional methods of Endoscopy.
Our medical assistant will give you a pill-sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures will be sent to a small recording device you will be asked to wear on your body. Dr. Klin will be able to view these pictures at a later time and might be able to provide you with useful information regarding your small intestine.
Why is Capsule Endoscopy done?
The most common reason for doing Capsule Endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease), ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine.
What preparation is required?
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately 12 hours before the examination. Our medical assistant will tell you when to start fasting.
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately 12 hours before the examination. Our medical assistant will tell you when to start fasting.
Tell our staff, in advance, in advance, about any medications you take including iron, aspirin, bismuth subsalicylate (bismuth subsalicylate is used as an antacid and antidiarrheal , and to treat some other gastro-intestinal diseases, such as nausea. It is the active ingredient in various stomach-settling medications, including Pepto-Bismol .) products and other over-the-counter medications. You may need to adjust your usual dose prior to the examination. Be certain to discuss any allergies to medications as well as medical conditions, such as swallowing disorders and heart or lung disease. Also, don’t forget to tell and tell our staff about the presence of a pacemaker or defibrillator, previous abdominal surgery, or a previous history of bowel obstructions, Inflammatory Bowel Disease or adhesions.
What can I expect during the Capsule Endoscopy?
Our medical assistant will prepare you for the examination by applying a sensor device to your abdomen with adhesive sleeves (similar to tape). The pill-sized capsule endoscope is swallowed and passes naturally through your digestive tract while transmitting video images to a data recorder worn on your belt for approximately eight hours. At the end of the procedure you will return to the office and the data recorder is removed so that images of your small bowel can be put on a computer screen for Dr. Klin’s review.
What happens after Capsule Endoscopy?
You will be able to drink clear liquids after two hours and eat a light meal after four hours following the capsule ingestion, unless our medical assistant instructs you otherwise.
Are there possible complications of Capsule Endoscopy?
Although complications can occur, they are generally rare when physicians, like Dr. Klin, are specially trained and experienced in this procedure prior to performing the test. There is a potential for the capsule to be stuck at a narrow spot in the digestive tract resulting in bowel obstruction. It is important to recognize obstruction early. Signs of obstruction include unusual bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. You should call our office, immediately, if you experience any of these conditions. Also, if you develop a fever after the test, have trouble swallowing, or experience chest pain, call our office as soon as possible.
NOTE: Be careful not to prematurely disconnect the system as this may result in loss of pictures being sent to your recording device.
Source: American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
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