Diagnosing gastrointestinal motility disorders with the SmartPill™

Millions of patients suffer each year from unexplained gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, a prolonged sensation of feeling full, nausea, constipation, and other problems. While there can be many different underlying reasons for these symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) motility issues are one of the most common causes. Previously, assessing gastrointestinal motility required invasive and uncomfortable procedures, but at Atlantic Gastroenterology, patients in the Brooklyn, New York area have a new, convenient option: the SmartPill™.

What is the SmartPill?

The SmartPill is a gastrointestinal motility testing system that uses a wireless sensor-based capsule to provide a quantitative assessment of several important factors for diagnosing GI motility disorders, including:

• pH
• Pressure
• Colonic transit time
• Total small and large bowel transit time
• Temperature
• Frequency and amplitude of digestive contractions

The SmartPill is FDA-approved for diagnostic evaluation of chronic constipation and gastroparesis, providing a more comfortable option for evaluating GI motility than traditional diagnostic methods. It can determine specific regions of disease in the GI tract and offers greater sensitivity than Radiopaque Markers (ROM) and Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES) tests. Additionally, at less than half the cost of scintigraphy, the SmartPill is a more affordable option and does not require a visit to the hospital or radiation exposure.

Placing the SmartPill

The procedure for placing the SmartPill is quick and easy, taking only about 20 minutes. You will simply swallow the wireless capsule, and we will fit you with an external data receiver that is used to capture data from the pill. After your appointment, you can resume your normal daily activities immediately. The SmartPill transmits data for five days, after which you will return the receiver to us, and we will download and evaluate the data.

Learn more about the SmartPill

If you suffer from unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, you don’t have to live with the discomfort and pain. At Atlantic Gastroenterology, Dr. Alexander Shapsis works closely with patients to understand their unique concerns and provide effective solutions. To schedule your appointment at one of our two Brooklyn, NY locations, call us today at 718 521-2840.

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