Colonoscopies and upper endoscopies are great diagnostic tools for evaluating the colon, but they can’t see areas in the small intestine that could be causing issues. Capsule endoscopy testing is an innovative option for evaluating issues like chronic diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Camera capsule testing isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great option when other diagnostic testing won’t capture what we need. At Gateway Gastroenterology, our experienced gastroenterologists offer camera capsule testing for various health issues.
Camera capsule testing, or capsule endoscopy, is a test that works by having you swallow a tiny camera that’s the size of a vitamin pill. The capsule contains a small camera, light, and transmitter that allow us to see inside your small intestine.
After you swallow the capsule, it makes its way through the GI tract. The small camera takes about 10,000 pictures as it moves through the small intestine. The transmitter on the capsule allows us to view the pictures it takes.
The capsule continues to move through the GI tract like anything else and comes out in a bowel movement. It typically takes about 24 hours to leave the body. You flush the capsule down the toilet, and the “procedure” is finished.
We review the pictures the camera transmitted to see areas of the GI tract we can’t reach with traditional testing. At your appointment, we discuss the results to determine the next steps in care.
You may wonder if capsule endoscopy testing is the right choice. We typically advise it for adults over 18, but we sometimes offer it to younger kids in certain instances.
Many people are good candidates for capsule endoscopy testing, and they include those with:
People who experience anemia or unexplained GI bleeding are great candidates for camera capsule testing. It allows us to see every part of the GI tract to determine where the bleeding originates and to form a comprehensive treatment plan.
If other tests haven’t determined the cause of abdominal pain, capsule endoscopy is an excellent alternative. It sees parts of the small intestine that we can’t see with other testing to give us an insight into your GI health.
People with suspected Celiac or Crohn’s disease are also great candidates for camera capsule testing. These issues affect the small bowel, and the tiny camera allows us to see if they affect the GI tract.
Some people can’t tolerate a routine endoscopy due to the sedation or other aspects of the procedure. The capsule allows for similar results without the invasiveness of different methods.
In some cases, we don’t get the results we want from other tests, which is where camera capsule testing can help. The capsule gives us more information than we may have been able to get from a colonoscopy or traditional endoscopy.
When you experience GI discomfort or other symptoms, you want answers as soon as possible. We evaluate your symptoms to determine the next steps in your treatment plan.
If we suspect any issues in the small bowel, we suggest camera capsule testing, simply because other testing can’t see certain areas in the GI tract. It’s an option for people with suspected inflammatory bowel disorders.
Camera capsule testing is also a good option if you want a less invasive diagnostic procedure. It doesn’t require sedation or preparation but provides detailed information about the GI tract.
Contact Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment to discuss camera capsule testing. Call or message us. We have offices in St. Louis, Ballwin, and Chesterfield, Missouri.