Capsule Endoscopy
-
- Tweet
Advanced Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists located in Union City, TN & Martin, TN
Endoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your gastrointestinal tract and diagnose the cause of your symptoms. A traditional endoscopy is also performed to remove polyps and treat other problems found during the visual examination. Dr. Kofi Nuako at Advanced Gastroenterology has extensive experience performing endoscopies, including noninvasive capsule endoscopy. To learn more about endoscopy or to schedule a procedure, call the office in Union City, Tennessee.
Capsule Endoscopy Q & A
What is an endoscopy?
An endoscopy is a procedure used to examine the inner lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dr. Nuako can perform different types of endoscopies to diagnose and treat conditions found in various places throughout your GI tract.
What is a capsule endoscopy?
A capsule endoscopy obtains images of your GI tract using a tiny wireless camera inside a vitamin-sized capsule. After you swallow the PillCam, it naturally travels the length of your digestive tract, taking thousands of pictures along the way.
The images captured by the camera are transmitted to a recorder you wear for about eight hours. When the procedure is over, you remove the recorder and return it to Advanced Gastroenterology, where the images are transferred to a computer and then examined for abnormalities.
You should be able to eliminate the PillCam during a bowel movement in one to three days. Whenever it passes, you just flush it down the toilet.
Which health problems are detected during a capsule endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy effectively screens for problems throughout the GI tract, including colon cancer. It’s especially beneficial, however, for diagnosing problems in the small intestine, which is difficult to examine using other types of endoscopy procedures.
A few examples of GI problems diagnosed during a capsule endoscopy include:
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Tumors along the GI tract
- Polyps in the large intestine
What is an upper GI endoscopy?
A traditional upper GI endoscopy is performed using an endoscope, which is a long, thin, flexible tube that holds a camera. As the endoscope goes through your upper GI tract -- esophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine -- the camera sends magnified images to a computer screen, allowing Dr. Nuako to see inflammation, ulcers, polyps, tumors, and other problems.
This type of endoscopy is also used to treat conditions found in your GI tract. Medical tools can be inserted through the scope to take a biopsy and perform minimally-invasive surgery, such as opening a blocked area in your esophagus or removing abnormal tissues.
If you have symptoms or concerns about your GI tract, please call Advanced Gastroenterology or use online booking to schedule a consultation.
