What Is Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy is a non‑invasive procedure that uses a pill‑sized camera to take thousands of pictures of your digestive tract. After you swallow the capsule with water, it naturally travels through the stomach and small intestine, wirelessly transmitting images to a recorder worn on your belt or shoulder. This allows physicians to evaluate areas of the small intestine that standard endoscopy cannot reach.
Indications
- Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding or iron‑deficiency anemia.
- Suspected small‑bowel Crohn’s disease.
- Suspected tumors or polyps in the small intestine.
- Unexplained chronic diarrhea or malabsorption.
- Celiac disease with persistent symptoms despite a gluten‑free diet.
What to Expect
Before the procedure, you will follow preparation instructions similar to those for a colonoscopy, including fasting and taking a bowel prep to ensure clear images. On the day of the test, you’ll swallow the capsule and go about your day, avoiding strenuous activity. The capsule is disposable and exits naturally in the stool within a couple of days.
Benefits and Limitations
- Capsule endoscopy is painless and does not require sedation.
- It provides detailed visualization of the small intestine and helps detect sources of bleeding or inflammation.
- However, it cannot remove polyps or obtain biopsies.
- There is a small risk of the capsule becoming stuck in a narrowed portion of the intestine; your provider will assess whether capsule endoscopy is right for you.
Our advanced endoscopy team performs capsule endoscopy and interprets the results to help diagnose and manage complex small‑bowel conditions.