Capsule Endoscopy vs Traditional Endoscopy: What Most Patients Don’t Understand
When doctors recommend an endoscopic examination, most patients assume there is only one way to do it. In reality, there are different types of endoscopy, and choosing the right one depends on what your doctor is trying to detect. Two commonly discussed options are capsule endoscopy and traditional endoscopy. While both are used to examine the digestive tract, they work very differently, and understanding these differences can help patients make more informed decisions. What is Traditional Endoscopy? Traditional endoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera through the mouth or rectum to examine the gastrointestinal tract. This method allows doctors to directly visualise the oesophagus, stomach, or colon in real time. It is commonly used to diagnose: Acid reflux and ulcers Gastrointestinal bleeding Polyps or early signs of cancer Inflammation or infection One of the biggest advantages of this method is that it is not just diagnostic but also therapeutic. Doct...