No, you typically will not feel the Bravo capsule fall off.
The Bravo capsule is designed to pass through your digestive system without causing discomfort. After a few days, it naturally detaches from the lining of your esophagus and then passes through your stomach. From there, it continues through your digestive tract and is eventually expelled in a bowel movement. This entire process is generally uneventful and should not cause any noticeable sensation or discomfort.
What Happens When the Bravo Capsule Detaches?
When the Bravo capsule has completed its monitoring period, it is designed to detach on its own. Here's a quick overview of what to expect:
- Natural Detachment: The capsule will naturally fall off the lining of your esophagus, usually within a few days after it was placed.
- Passage Through Digestion: Once detached, it moves through your stomach and then through your intestines, similar to how food passes through your system.
- Uneventful Expulsion: The capsule is small and smooth, and its passage out of your body in a bowel movement is expected to be unnoticeable and without any discomfort.
Understanding the Bravo pH Monitoring System
The Bravo pH monitoring system is a valuable diagnostic tool used to measure and record acid levels in your esophagus over an extended period, typically 48 hours. A tiny capsule is temporarily attached to the wall of your esophagus during an endoscopy procedure. This capsule then wirelessly transmits data about acid exposure to a small receiver you wear. This information helps your physician diagnose conditions like GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Once the monitoring is complete, the capsule's purpose is fulfilled, and it begins its natural, unnoticed journey out of your body.
