Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) has launched a new pill camera for patients in the country. Parvish Kumar, the director and chief executive officer of PSH, announced that the pill cam was recently introduced, and early results have been promising.
The capsule endoscopy system is a small ingestible capsule that enables doctors to visualize the small bowel, which connects the stomach to the large intestine and supports digestion and metabolic functions. This procedure is beneficial for diagnosing and monitoring a range of conditions within the digestive tract.
The process involves swallowing a capsule comparable in size to a large vitamin pill. Kumar explained, “Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive method for our doctors to specifically visualize the small bowel, which is challenging to reach through other endoscopic techniques.”
The capsule is equipped with a miniature camera and light source that captures images of the small intestine as it moves through the digestive system. These images are wirelessly transmitted to a recorder worn on a belt across the body.
PSH is among the pioneers to offer this wireless recording belt for patients. Capsule endoscopy is particularly useful for several conditions, including:
– Identifying the source of bleeding in the small bowel, which is the most common reason for the procedure.
– Diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
– Screening for polyps and diagnosing cancer by searching for potential tumors in the digestive tract.
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in some regions, following lung cancer.
In response to questions about the procedure:
Q: How long does the procedure take?
A: You will typically spend about 30 minutes at PSH to begin the process. After placing the sensor belt on your abdomen and connecting the recorder, you can swallow the capsule and leave. The test will last for a few hours, during which you can continue your normal activities.
Q: What happens after I return the recorder and sensors to PSH?
A: The images captured will be downloaded from the recorder to a computer, where our doctors will review them in color video format. You will then be contacted with the results.
Q: Will I feel any pain or discomfort from the capsule?
A: No, you should not experience discomfort while swallowing the capsule or while it passes through your gastrointestinal tract. The capsule is designed to be disposable and will exit naturally with your bowel movement.