Overview

This is an exam of your digestive tract. It's done with a tiny camera capsule you swallow. This exam is often used to see inside the small intestine, because that's hard to reach with other types of scopes.

Preparation

Before the procedure, you'll prepare by following your doctor's instructions. This includes refraining from eating or drinking for several hours before you swallow the capsule. That's so it can take clear photos.

Examination

On the day of the procedure, you'll be given a recorder that you wear on a belt around your waist. You may also need to have some sticky patches put on the skin of your abdomen. Then, you swallow the capsule with water. It's not hard to swallow, and you won't feel it inside you. The camera takes thousands of photos as it moves through your digestive tract. The photos are sent wirelessly to the recorder on your belt, which saves them. Your doctor will tell you what you are allowed to eat, drink and do while the camera is moving through your body.

Results

The capsule is disposable. It will come out with a bowel movement, and then you flush it down the toilet. Your doctor will tell you how long to wear the recording equipment and how to return it. And after the photos are examined, your doctor will share the results with you.