Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) has recently launched a new pill cam for its patients. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, announced that the introduction of this capsule endoscopy system has been a success so far.
This innovative technology is a small ingestible capsule that allows doctors to visualize the small bowel, which is essential for various digestive processes. Capsule endoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring numerous conditions affecting the digestive tract.
The procedure involves the patient swallowing a capsule, which is comparable in size to a large vitamin. According to Mr. Kumar, “Capsule Endoscopy provides a non-invasive method for doctors at Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital to specifically visualize the small bowel, a part of the digestive system inaccessible through traditional endoscopy methods.”
The capsule is equipped with a tiny camera and light source that captures images of the small intestine as it moves naturally through the gastrointestinal tract. These images are wirelessly transmitted to a recorder worn by the patient, secured by a sensor belt.
Patients at Pacific Specialist Healthcare are using a wireless recording device during this process. The capsule endoscopy is particularly effective for:
– Identifying the cause of bleeding in the small bowel, the primary reason for this procedure.
– Diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
– Screening for polyps and diagnosing cancer, enabling detection of potential tumors in the digestive system.
Bowel cancer ranks second in cancer-related deaths in certain regions, following lung cancer.
In response to common inquiries:
How long does the procedure take?
Typically, the procedure at Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital takes about 30 minutes to initiate. Once the sensor belt is fitted around the abdomen, the recorder is connected, and the patient swallows the capsule, they can leave and continue with their daily activities. The test lasts several hours.
What happens after returning the recorder and sensors?
Images collected by the recorder during the procedure will be downloaded to a computer for analysis by doctors, who will review them in color video format. Patients will be contacted with the results thereafter.
Will there be any pain or discomfort from the capsule?
No, patients should not experience discomfort when swallowing the capsule or during its transit through the digestive tract. The capsule is designed to be disposable and will exit the body naturally.