MediGence: Enabling Better Health Decisions

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE), popularly known as capsule endoscopy, is a specialized, non-invasive test to visualize the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract starts from the mouth (oral cavity) and ends at the rectum through the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestine.

Capsule endoscopy is an advanced endoscopic technology that uses a swallowed camera-enabled capsule. This capsule takes the pictures of the GI tract from the inside until it is finally eliminated naturally from the body. As the capsule moves, the pictures are transmitted to a receiver, which is worn by the patient at waist level in the form of a belt. The process continues for 8 hours.

Capsule endoscopy may be used for the following reasons:

Unexplained abdominal pain or GI bleeding
As a screening tool for tumors, ulcers, and polyps
Diagnosis of celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel conditions
After other imaging tests such as endoscopy, MRI or X-ray have failed to diagnose the condition

The rising popularity of capsule endoscopy can be attributed to the fact that it is not invasive and painful as compared to a GI endoscopy. Also, it helps provide detailed and comprehensive imaging of the entire GI tract.

The patient should fast overnight. No food or drinks are allowed at least 12 hours of the procedure.
The procedure should be planned first thing in the morning
The patient should choose to wear a loose, long, and preferable a cotton T-shirt so that the adhesive sensors can be placed in the abdominal area
Some patients are advised to take magnesium citrate the evening before the procedure to help clear bowel
Iron-containing supplements must be stopped a few days before the procedure as it can interfere with the passage of the capsule
Strenuous exercising must be stopped 2 days before the procedure
Collect all important papers, ID card, and health insurance to be taken to the hospital
If the chest and the abdomen are hairy, you may be asked to shave it off before the sensors are placed

Capsule endoscopy is an advanced endoscopic technology that uses a swallowed camera-enabled capsule. This capsule takes the pictures of the GI tract from the inside until it is finally eliminated naturally from the body. As the capsule moves, the pictures are transmitted to a receiver, which is worn by the patient at waist level in the form of a belt. The process continues for 8 hours.

Recovery after capsule endoscopy is painless and simple. Patients should wait for at least two hours before they start drinking clear fluids after swallowing the capsule. A light snack or meal is allowed four hours after the capsule is taken.

The capsule eliminates by itself within 8 hours of ingestion. In some cases, it may be eliminated in the stool before that. The specialist can process the images from the received ties to the abdomen after 8 hours of before, depending on when the capsule is eliminated.