Capsule Endoscopy in Chicago, IL

Capsule Endoscopy Specialist That Prioritizes Patient Comfort

Capsule endoscopy—a gentle, painless way to check your small intestine without any needles, sedation, or downtime. The capsule travels naturally through your system, taking thousands of pictures along the way, helping us find issues like bleeding, inflammation, or other problems that traditional scopes might miss. You can go about your normal day while the capsule does all the work. It’s especially helpful for diagnosing conditions like Crohn’s disease or finding the source of unexplained symptoms. For many patients, it’s a relief to have such a simple option for getting the answers they need about their digestive health.

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What is capsule endoscopy?

A capsule endoscopy is a medical test where you swallow a small pill-sized camera that takes pictures of your digestive system from the inside. Think of it as a tiny photographer traveling through your stomach and intestines, capturing images of areas that are hard to reach with regular scopes. The capsule is about the size of a large vitamin—completely smooth and easy to swallow with water. Once you take it, the camera automatically snaps thousands of photos as it moves through your body over the next 8 hours or so. You wear a small recording device on a belt that collects all the images, and the capsule passes naturally when you use the bathroom. There’s no discomfort, no sedation needed, and you can usually go about your normal activities during the test. It’s particularly useful for examining the small intestine, which is too long and twisty for traditional scopes to navigate completely.

What is a capsule endoscopy procedure like?

The capsule endoscopy procedure is surprisingly simple and comfortable. On the day of your test, you’ll come in after fasting overnight, and we’ll fit you with a lightweight belt containing a small recorder. Then you’ll swallow the camera capsule with some water—most people find it goes down easily, just like taking a regular pill. Once you’ve swallowed it, you’re free to leave the office! You can go to work, run errands, or relax at home while the capsule does its job. We just ask that you avoid strenuous exercise and stay away from MRI machines.
You’ll wear the recorder for about 8 hours as the capsule travels through your system, and you can eat a light snack after 2 hours and a regular meal after 4 hours. At the end of the day, you’ll return the recording equipment to our office. The capsule itself will pass naturally in your stool within a day or two—you don’t need to retrieve it. A few days later, we’ll review the thousands of images captured and discuss the results with you.

Who should undergo capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy can be a valuable diagnostic tool for many patients experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms or those with known gastrointestinal conditions. Our doctor might recommend this procedure if traditional tests haven’t provided clear answers or if they need to examine your small intestine, which is difficult to reach with regular scopes. It’s helpful for patients who prefer a non-invasive option or those who are unable to undergo traditional endoscopy due to medical reasons. The procedure is safe for most people, though it’s not suitable for those with swallowing difficulties, intestinal blockages, or pacemakers.

Unexplained bleeding – Finding the source of blood loss when other tests show normal results
Chronic abdominal pain – Investigating persistent stomach or intestinal pain without a clear cause
Iron deficiency anemia – Discovering hidden bleeding in the small intestine causing low iron levels
Crohn’s disease – Monitoring known inflammatory bowel disease or confirming a suspected diagnosis
Celiac disease – Assessing damage to the small intestine from gluten sensitivity
Small intestine tumors or polyps – Detecting growths that might be missed by other imaging tests

What are the risks of a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is considered very safe, and serious complications are rare. Most people have no problems at all—the capsule simply travels through your system and passes naturally.

Capsule retention – The capsule may get stuck in a narrow area of your intestine, especially if you have strictures, adhesions, or inflammation
Incomplete examination – The battery may run out before the capsule photographs your entire small intestine, or the capsule may move too quickly through certain areas
Missed abnormalities – Small or flat lesions might not be captured clearly, as you can’t control where the camera points or ask it to take another look at something

What happens after capsule endoscopy?

After your capsule endoscopy, you can immediately return to your normal activities and regular diet. The capsule will pass naturally in your bowel movement, usually within 24 to 72 hours—you don’t need to look for it or retrieve it, as it’s designed to be safely flushed away. Most people don’t even notice when it passes. Our doctor will download and review the thousands of images from the recorder, which typically takes a few days since there’s so much footage to examine carefully. You’ll receive a call to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss your results, usually within one to two weeks. During this visit, your doctor will explain what they found and recommend next steps if needed. If the images show any abnormalities, your doctor might suggest additional tests, medications, or treatments.

Many patients find relief in finally getting answers about their symptoms, while others are reassured when the test shows everything looks normal. If you experience any unusual symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting in the days following the procedure, contact your doctor right away, as this could indicate the rare possibility that the capsule hasn’t passed.