UAE | Health
Benefits of pill-sized camera displayed
Two live demonstrations were organised at the conference in Abu Dhabi - wireless capsule endoscopy for small intestine and capsule endoscopy for the colon.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 November 8, 2009
Abu Dhabi: A wireless technology involving a capsule camera, about the size of a large vitamin pill, which helps to detect gastrointestinal problems when ingested was demonstrated by experts at a conference organised by Abu Dhabi police on Saturday.
The procedure, called capsule endoscopy, has been around since the 1990s, but wireless technology that simplifies the process is being put to use for the first time in the region, officials said.
Titled "Abu Dhabi conference for capsule endoscopy", the two-day event that ends on Sunday was put together by the Medical Services department at the police.
"Capsule endoscopy is preferred by many patients in the UAE due to cultural or religious reasons," Dr Sameh Fakhry of Abu Dhabi Police told Gulf News. This procedure involves swallowing a pill that contains a camera which transmits images to a small data recorder (that the patient wears around his waist) as the capsule moves naturally through the digestive tract. It helps diagnose gastrointestinal conditions such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, malabsorption, chronic abdominal pain and chronic diarrhoea.
Revolution
"Endoscopy has no doubt revolutionised the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. There are various procedures for diagnosis of the intestine like a gastrointestinal endoscopy which is done through the mouth to view the internal organs"
"Although capsule endoscopy is not a standard procedure for colon in medical guidelines, patients here prefer it due to other reasons. Most people decline any kind of examination by the rectum. Females prefer to be examined by female doctors only and so on. Thus this technology is an additional tool for the health care system," explained Dr Fakhry.
The conference featured about 35 lectures delivered by eminent experts from several countries. Two live demonstrations were organised - wireless capsule endoscopy for small intestine and capsule endoscopy for the colon. As patients ingested capsules under the supervision of doctors, live feed was broadcast into the conference room.
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
