Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) has launched an innovative pill cam for patients in the country. PSH’s director and CEO, Parvish Kumar, announced that the pill cam was recently introduced and has already shown promising results.
The capsule endoscopy system features a small ingestible capsule designed to allow doctors to visualize the small bowel, the section connecting the stomach to the large intestine, which plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolic processes. This technology can aid in diagnosing and monitoring various conditions within the digestive tract.
The procedure involves the patient swallowing a small capsule, comparable in size to a large vitamin capsule. “Capsule Endoscopy offers a non-invasive method for doctors at Pacific Specialist Healthcare to visualize the small bowel, which cannot be accessed through traditional endoscopy techniques,” Kumar explained. The capsule contains a miniature camera and light source that captures images of the small intestine as it naturally moves through the digestive system. These images are then transmitted to a recorder worn on a belt across the body.
PSH is among the first healthcare providers to utilize the wireless recorder belt for this procedure. Capsule endoscopy is particularly effective in the following scenarios:
– Identifying the source of bleeding in the small bowel, which is the primary reason for this procedure.
– Diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
– Screening for polyps and diagnosing cancer, helping to detect potential abnormalities within the digestive tract.
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in some regions, following lung cancer.
In a Q&A segment, Kumar addressed common patient queries.
Q: How long does the procedure take?
A: The initial procedure at Pacific Specialist Healthcare typically takes about 30 minutes. After placing the sensor belt on your abdomen and connecting the recorder, you can swallow the capsule and continue with your regular activities. The test runs for several hours.
Q: What happens after returning the recorder and sensors?
A: The images captured during your procedure will be downloaded to a computer, where our doctors will review them in color video format. You will then receive the results.
Q: Will swallowing the capsule cause any pain or discomfort?
A: No, you should not experience discomfort while swallowing the capsule or as it moves through your gastrointestinal tract. The capsule is designed to be disposable and will pass naturally with your bowel movement.