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San Diego Gastroenterology Medical Associatesâ„¢

San Diego Gastroenterology Medical Associates
4060 4th Ave. #240 | San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 291-6064

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Understanding Capsule Endoscopy

Abdominal pain

  • Patient information: Abdominal pain (functional dyspepsia) in adults
  • Patient information: Chronic abdominal pain in children and adolescents

Achalasia

  • Patient information: Achalasia

Anal fissure

  • Patient information: Anal fissure

Barrett’s esophagus

  • Patient information: Barrett’s esophagus

Blood in the stool

  • Patient information: Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding) in adults
  • Patient information: Bloody stools in children

Celiac disease

  • Patient information: Celiac disease in adults
  • Patient information: Celiac disease in children

Colorectal cancer

  • Patient information: Colon cancer screening
  • Patient information: Colon polyps

Constipation

  • Patient information: Constipation in adults
  • Patient information: Constipation in infants and children

Crohn’s disease

  • Patient information: Crohn’s disease
  • Patient information: Inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy
  • Patient information: Sulfasalazine and the 5-aminosalicylates
  • Patient information: Surgical treatment of Crohn’s disease

Diarrhea

  • Patient information: Acute diarrhea in adults
  • Patient information: Acute diarrhea in children
  • Patient information: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (Clostridium difficile)
  • Patient information: Chronic diarrhea in adults

Diet

  • Patient information: High fiber diet

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis

  • Patient information: Diverticular disease

Endoscopy

  • Patient information: Colonoscopy
  • Patient information: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
  • Patient information: Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Patient information: Upper endoscopy

Eosinophilic esophagitis

  • Patient information: Eosinophilic esophagitis

ERCP

  • Patient information: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)

Fecal incontinence

  • Patient information: Fecal incontinence

Food allergies

  • Patient Information: Food Allergies

Gallstones

  • Patient information: Gallstones

Gas and bloating

  • Patient information: Gas and bloating

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

  • Patient information: A guide to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, acid reflux, heartburn)
  • Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults
  • Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents
  • Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux in infants

Helicobacter pylori

  • Patient information: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment

Hemorrhoids

  • Patient information: Hemorrhoids

HEPATITIS

  • Patient Information Hepatitis A
  • Patient Information Hepatitis B
  • Patient Information Hepatitis C
  • Patient Information: Autoimmune Hepatitis

Irritable bowel syndrome

  • Patient information: Irritable bowel syndrome

Liver biopsy

  • Patient information: Liver biopsy

Liver disease

  • Patient information: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
  • Patient information: Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Patient information: Cirrhosis
  • Patient information Hemochromatosis (hereditary iron overload)
  • Patient information: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Nausea and vomiting

  • Patient information: Nausea and vomiting in infants and children
  • Patient information: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Pancreatitis

  • Patient information: Acute pancreatitis
  • Patient information: Chronic pancreatitis

Peptic ulcers

  • Patient information: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment
  • Patient information: Peptic ulcer disease

Polyps

  • Patient information: Colon polyps

Sigmoidoscopy

  • Patient information: Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Ulcerative colitis

  • Patient information: Inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy
  • Patient information: Sulfasalazine and the 5-aminosalicylates
  • Patient information: Ulcerative colitis

Wilson’s Disease

  • Patient information:Wilson’s Disease

This information was developed by the Publications Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). For more information about ASGE, visit www.asge.org.

This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.

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Capsule endoscopy takes approximately eight hours. Normal daily activities are largely unaffected by capsule endoscopy, unlike many endoscopic procedures that require sedation. When you return to the doctor's office, the data recorder, worn on your belt during the procedure, is removed so that images of your small bowel can be put on a computer screen for physician review.

What is capsule endoscopy?

Capsule Endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). Your doctor will give you a pill-sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are sent to a small recording device you wear on your body. Your doctor will be able to view these pictures at a later time and might be able to provide you with useful information regarding your small intestine.

Why is capsule endoscopy done?

Capsule endoscopy helps your doctor evaluate the small intestine. This part of the bowel cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. The most common reason for doing capsule endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease), ulcers and tumors of the small intestine. As is the case with most new diagnostic procedures, not all insurance companies are currently reimbursing for this procedure. You may need to check with your own insurance company to ensure that this is a covered benefit.

How should I prepare for the procedure?

An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately twelve hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start fasting. Tell your doctor in advance about any medications you take including iron, aspirin, bismuth subsalicylate products and other over-the-counter medications. You might need to adjust your usual dose prior to the examination. Discuss any allergies to medications as well as medical conditions, such as swallowing disorders and heart or lung disease. Tell your doctor of the presence of a pacemaker or defibrillator, previous abdominal surgery, or previous history of bowel obstructions, inflammatory bowel disease or adhesions. Your doctor may ask you to do a bowel prep/cleansing prior to the examination.

The small intestine can be the site of several gastrointestinal disorders, including bleeding, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and tumors. Capsule endoscopy allows for examination of the small intestine, which cannot be easily reached by traditional methods of endoscopy.

 

What can I expect during capsule endoscopy?

Your doctor will prepare you for the examination by applying a sensor device to your abdomen with adhesive sleeves (similar to tape). The pill-sized capsule endoscope is swallowed and passes naturally through your digestive tract while transmitting video images to a data recorder worn on your belt for approximately eight hours. At the end of the procedure you will return to the office and the data recorder is removed so that images of your small bowel can be put on a computer screen for physician review.

Most patients consider the test comfortable. The capsule endoscope is about the size of a large pill. After ingesting the capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near an MRI device or schedule an MRI examination.

What happens after capsule endoscopy?

You will be able to drink clear liquids after two hours and eat a light meal after four hours following the capsule ingestion, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. You will have to avoid vigorous physical activity such as running or jumping during the study.

Your doctor generally can tell you the test results within the week following the procedure; however, the results of some tests might take longer.

What are the possible complications of capsule endoscopy?

Although complications can occur, they are generally rare when doctors who are specially trained and experienced in this procedure perform the test. There is a potential for the capsule to be stuck at a narrowed spot in the digestive tract resulting in bowel obstruction. This usually relates to a stricture (narrowing) of the digestive tract from inflammation, prior surgery or tumor. It is important to recognize obstruction early. Signs of obstruction include unusual bloating, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. You should call your doctor immediately for any such concerns. Also, if you develop a fever after the test, have trouble swallowing or experience chest pain, tell your doctor immediately. Be careful not to prematurely disconnect the system as this may result in loss of pictures being sent to your recording device.

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Important Reminder: This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.

Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 11,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education.

This patient education brochure was developed by the Publications Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. This information is the opinion of and provided by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org

Copyright ©2010. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved. This information may not be reproduced without express written permission by ASGE. For permission requests, please contact the ASGE Communications Department at 630-673-0600.

Patient Education

Patient Education Menu
  • Understanding Colon Cancer Screening
  • Make the Best Choice for Your Endoscopic Procedure
  • Understanding Upper Endoscopy
  • Understanding Endoscopic Ultrasonography
  • Understanding Colonoscopy
  • Understanding Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Understanding Colon Polyps and Their Treatment
  • Understanding Esophageal Dilation
  • Understanding Capsule Endoscopy
  • Understanding Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
  • Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure
  • Understanding Diverticulosis
  • Understanding Esophageal Testing or Manometry
  • Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding
  • ERCP
  • Understanding Bowel Preparation
  • Understanding Barrett's Esophagus
  • Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

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4060 4th Ave. #240
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 291-6064

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