Capsule Endoscopy: How it Helps in Colon Cancer

Colonoscopy is a method used by doctors to detect any sign of cancer inside the person’s colon. The whole procedure may be quick and easy, but the fact that a camera is inserted through your anus can be embarrassing for some people. Plus, the juice you’ll be asked to drink has a slightly metallic taste to it. It’s no walk in the park, but you’ll have to endure it if you want to avoid colon cancer.

Doctors also know how colonoscopy can be inconvenient for most of their patients. If you’re adamant against having anything inserted through your anus, you might want to consider capsule endoscopy.

What is capsule endoscopy?

Unlike colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy allows your doctor to examine the middle portion of your gastrointestinal tract via a pill-sized video camera that you’ll be required to swallow. This amazing piece of technology comes with its own light source. Hence, it has the ability to take pictures of what’s inside your stomach. The images are then sent to a small recording device you’ll be wearing on your abdomen. However, you shouldn’t expect to see the results immediately. In fact, it does take time because the pill has to go through the process of digestion (which could mean hours) before every important piece of information is recorded.

What are the benefits of capsule endoscopy?

While colonoscopy can be completed within 20 minutes time, capsule endoscopy does come with its own set of perks:

• It can evaluate the problems found in the small intestines, a part that which other methods don’t have the means of reaching
• It’s a good method to check if there are signs of bleeding in the intestines
• It’s useful for detecting polyps, tumors, and a variety of bowel diseases

How to prepare for capsule endoscopy?

An empty stomach allows the camera to capture everything vividly and in great detail. Hence, you’ll have to go on a fasting and stick to a strict liquid diet 24 hours before the procedure. Then, you might be required to take a laxative or get an enema to clear your bowel. More importantly, just make sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor, as he or she may have to adjust the dosage in preparation for capsule endoscopy. And unlike colonoscopy, patients find this type of examination a lot more comfortable and a lot less embarrassing. Your job is to simply look for a trained physician who has the ability to monitor your health while the camera goes through your body.