Capsule Endoscopy in St. Louis, MO
Ready to Consult a GI Physician?
Find a ProviderWhat is a small bowel capsule endoscopy?
A small bowel capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic process wherein a pill-sized capsule, (which contains a camera and battery), is ingested by the patient and is then used to take many photos of the small bowel or intestine. Approximately 60,000 photos are taken, which, when put together, essentially provide a "movie" of the patient's small bowel.
At Specialists in Gastroenterology, a small bowel capsule endoscopy procedure is commonly performed to discover the cause of inexplicable anemia or bleeding. It could be conducted to evaluate the small bowel to further evaluate an atypical x-ray, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Contact our gastroenterology providers in St. Louis, MO to schedule a capsule endoscopy to ensure the health of your intestinal system is protected.
What should I expect before my capsule endoscopy?
You will receive clear instructions from your GI specialists on how to prepare for your capsule endoscopy. Most patients will be permitted to follow their normal eating habits the day before the procedure. You will be instructed not to take anything via your mouth any later than 7 p.m. the night before the capsule endoscopy. It is of the utmost importance to follow the directions given to you by your specialist. There may also be additional instructions regarding your medications. In the majority of cases, your medications will be resumed a few hours after the pill capsule is ingested. However, in specific situations, like those of individuals on blood thinners (such as Coumadin®, warfarin, Plavix®, aspirin, anti-inflammatories) and in diabetics, special instructions will be provided.
What happens on the day of the capsule endoscopy procedure?
You will be asked to arrive at our practice or endoscopy center 30 minutes before your appointed procedure. This is to make sure you have time to complete paperwork and any preparation for the capsule endoscopy exam. You will be asked to put vest which holds the monitors which will receive the transmitted photos. Once the vest is in place, the pill capsule will be activated and then given to you to swallow.
After the capsule is ingested, you can leave the endoscopy office. You will wear the vest for the next eight hours. You will be allowed to drink clear liquids two hours after the exam and can have a regular meal after four hours. After eight hours, you will return to the endoscopy office and the vest can be removed. To learn more about receiving a capsule endoscopy in St. Louis, MO, please request a consultation with one of our gastroenterologists at your earliest convenience.
When will I receive the results from my capsule endoscopy?
Once the procedure is complete, the images received from the capsule will be downloaded to a computer program that creates a "movie" of your small intestine. It could take your provider a number of hours to fully view these images. Results are generally available within a week and your provider's office will contact you to come in and discuss your results.
Are there any risks with a capsule endoscopy?
In general, the small bowel capsule endoscopy is quite a safe procedure. Statistically, complications occur in fewer than 1% of individuals. The majority of complications are not life-threatening, still, in the event that a complication does occur, it could require hospitalization and surgery. Before the capsule endoscopy exam, a consent form will be reviewed with you by the Specialists in Gastroenterology nursing staff.
One potential risk is that the pill capsule could get lodged in the intestine, causing an obstruction. This would generally lead to hospitalization and surgery.
It is imperative to call your provider's office promptly if any symptoms develop after the capsule endoscopy, such as increased abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever.
Just like any other medical test, a small bowel capsule endoscopy is not perfect. There is a small, acknowledged risk that issues, such as cancers, may go undetected during the procedure. It is important to maintain follow-ups with your specialist and inform them of any persistent or new symptoms.
Are there alternatives to a small bowel capsule endoscopy?
To a certain degree, any alternate options to the capsule endoscopy exam will depend on why you are getting small bowel capsule endoscopy in the first place. In the majority of cases, esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the ideal approach to evaluate abnormalities in the small bowel. However, an x-ray referred to as a small-bowel-follow-through can examine the small intestine as well. An enteroscopy procedure can also be used to evaluate the upper portion of the small intestine and can be used for treatment.
Understand the cause of your uncomfortable symptoms
To have your small intestine assessed by utilizing a noninvasive technique, reach out to our Specialists in Gastroenterology team today to request a consultation. Capsule endoscopy is just one of the methods in which our St. Louis, MO GI providers will do all that they can to make sure that your health is kept secure throughout all seasons of life.
Reviews
Great doctor takes patient imput seriously.
Hi Dr. Weinstock, thank you again. I had been meaning to tell you all this time, thank you for the Amitriptyline and giving me back my life, life just has been so busy and before you know it 3 years passes by. My constant nausea started in July of 2020, and I started Amitriptyline in Feb 2021 and by April 2021 I felt the nausea get better and better. I was able to go do travel nursing and go back to nurse practitioner school, which I had to step out this semester for spine surgery, but I would have never been able to do any of that as sick as I was, so thank you for listening and prescribing me the Amitriptyline. I mentioned it to another girl with the same symptoms as me, on a functional dyspepsia facebook support group, and the Amitriptyline took her constant nausea away also, and she thanks me all the time for sharing my experience with her. Here's to almost 3 years no constant nausea!
Dr Singh came so highly recommended by so many people that I met her for the first time in the prep room for my colonoscopy. She was so nice and made me feel at ease. Everyone was so nice and wanted to make sure I was comfortable. The nurse even gave me heated blankets to keep me warm. After the procedure Dr. Singh went over everything with me with pictures and explanations of what she found etc. I will definitely refer Dr Singh to my family and friends.
Dr. Weinstock have a lovely combination of professionalism and caringness. Incredibly knowledgeable and answered all questions.
Friendly, professional staff
766
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating