Capsule Endoscopy (Inpatients)

Capsule endoscopy is used to see the area inside your small intestine, which is not easily reachable with the help of traditional endoscopy procedures. Traditional endoscopy such as colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy involves passing a long, flexible tube equipped with a video camera down your throat or through your rectum.

Capsule endoscopy procedure uses a wireless camera, which is same as the size and shape of a pill. After you swallow the capsule, it takes thousands of pictures on the inside of the gastrointestinal tract that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.

Your doctor will direct you about the capsule endoscopy preparations. You have to stop eating and drinking at least 12 hours before the procedure. Your doctor might ask you to start or stop certain medications. You may be asked to take a laxative before your capsule endoscopy to flush out your small intestine.

Your doctor will watch the video made by special software that strings the images together with the help of a computer and share the results of capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is a very safe diagnostic method. However, there are very few chances of capsule endoscopy side effects such as abdominal pain, distension, and nausea.