Soon I have to undergo a gastrointestinal examination and this seems to be quite taxing. Can’t the same research be done by taking a pill? I’ve heard something about that. I am a 72 year old man.
Anonymously
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
The pill is a video capsule with a camera inside. On his way through the gastrointestinal tract, he takes about 60,000 photos and passes them on to a recorder. At first, the technique was only used for problems in the small intestine because an ordinary endoscopy there is difficult. Gradually, the capsules have been improved and made suitable for the large intestine. Yet they are not nearly as accurate as an endoscopy. In addition, the doctor can immediately remove some tissue for examination (biopsy).
A common reason for the examination is blood loss in the gastrointestinal tract, as it may have a malignant cause. Because colon cancer is almost always in the colon, an endoscopy is really the best option. Colon cancer is curable if caught quickly. You can ask for a trance.
Also a health question? Click here and ask the question to an expert!
