At Spire Harpenden Hospital we can now carry out a pioneering, pain-free investigation - called Capsule Endoscopy. This uses an electronic, pill-sized, photographic capsule that takes pictures of the intestine (in areas which normally cannot be viewed or investigated without surgery).
Electronic, pill-sized, photographic capsule that takes pictures of the intestine.
Could mapping of the gut be the solution to your problem?
If you are often excessively tired you could be Anaemic (low blood count). One common cause of anaemia is bleeding within the gut. This may be from the stomach, large bowel or small bowel. The bleeding may not always be obvious - or visible - and therefore tests may need to be done to identify the cause. Once the cause is identified, corrective treatment of anaemia is usually successful.
Pain, diarrhoea or constipation can be symptoms of underlying intestinal problems. Diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation (or even ulceration) in your bowel. More sinister diseases may also need to be ruled out - especially if you have visible bleeding from the back passage (never ignore such bleeding).
What does a capsule endoscopy involve?
The capsule is swallowed like a tablet and takes 54,000 pictures over 8 hours - mapping the intestine. It may identify the cause of the anaemia and can also help to diagnose the bowel conditions mentioned above - or to identify/exclude conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
To find out more - or to make an appointment to see a specialist consultant - please contact us on 01582 7144 20, or complete our online enquiry form.