Capsule Endoscopy

Many adults fail to seek diagnostic testing for upper gastrointestinal disorders due to the discomfort of an endoscopy. At Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island with offices in Wantagh and Malverne, New York, gastroenterologists Jeffrey Novak, MD, and Zachary Marwil, MD, use capsule endoscopies to evaluate the small intestine. You swallow a pill-sized camera that allows your physician to view your entire small bowel as the camera moves through it. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

A capsule endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a pill-sized camera to view your entire digestive tract, from your mouth to your rectum. You swallow the small wireless camera and go about your day. The camera captures thousands of images it transmits to a recorder you wear on your belt.

Why might I need a capsule endoscopy?

The gastroenterologists at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island perform capsule endoscopies for many reasons, including:

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body struggles to process gluten, a protein in barley, rye, wheat, and other grains. The disorder can damage the small intestine over time, leading to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD is a group of conditions that attack the tissues in the digestive tract. The two most common types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While the former causes inflammation in the small intestine, the latter leads to open sores (ulcers) in the large intestine and rectum.

Polyps

Gastric polyps are clumps of cells that form in your digestive tract. While most polyps are benign (noncancerous), they can turn cancerous. Monitoring these polyps is essential to track their evolution.

Digestive cancers

A capsule endoscopy can help diagnose and track many digestive cancers, including esophageal, stomach, bile duct, and colon cancer.

After a thorough exam and medical history review, your gastroenterologist could order a capsule endoscopy.

How do I prepare for a capsule endoscopy?

To ensure the images are clear, stop eating and drinking at least 12 hours before a capsule endoscopy. You might also need to take a laxative to clear your digestive tract. The gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island might also request that you stop taking certain medications before the procedure.

What happens during a capsule endoscopy?

Before the procedure, your physician attaches adhesive patches to your abdomen and hooks the recorder onto a belt you wear around your waist. Once the setup is complete, you swallow the capsule with a large glass of water. You can go about your day but wait to eat or drink for at least two hours after the procedure.

The capsule passes naturally through the digestive process. You flush the capsule down the toilet, as the data is captured by the recorder.

Call Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about the capsule endoscopy procedure.