Home Health Center Diverticulitis   Diverticulitis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Diverticulitis

 Diverticula usually do not create any problems by themselves and most people become aware of them during routine screening tests for intestinal conditions. The diagnosis of Diverticulitis is usually made during an acute attack. Since the symptoms of diverticulitis such as abdominal pain could also occur as symptoms of many other conditions, your health care provider will first have to rule these out, before making a definite diagnosis. Conditions that could cause similar symptoms include:

• Stomach ulcers

• Appendicitis

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Colon cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Ovarian cancer

• Inflammatory bowel disease

Certain tests for Diverticulitis may also be carried out such as:

• Physical examination of the abdomen for tenderness

• Testing of the white blood cells for infection

• Imaging tests such as CT scan which enables the doctor to examine the inflamed or infected diverticula.



Frequently asked questions

• How Is Diverticulitis Treated?
• Are There Home Remedies For Diverticulitis?

References

1. Gordon N Buchanan, Nicholas J Kenefick, C.Richard G Cohen, Diverticulitis, Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, Volume 16, Issue 4, August 2002, Pages 635-647, ISSN 1521-6918, 10.1053/bega.2002.0322.
2. Wendy Sotheran, Asha Senapati, Diverticulitis and its Complications, Surgery (Oxford), Volume 20, Issue 7, 1 July 2002, Pages 164-169, ISSN 0263-9319, 10.1383/surg.20.7.164.14396.
3. John G. Touzios, Eric J. Dozois, Diverticulosis and Acute Diverticulitis, Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, Volume 38, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 513-525, ISSN 0889-8553, 10.1016/j.gtc.2009.06.004.
4. Matilde Rodríguez-Cerrillo, Ana Poza-Montoro, Eddita Fernandez-Diaz, Amaia Iñurrieta Romero, Patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis and comorbidity can be treated at home, European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 21, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 553-554, ISSN 0953-6205, 10.1016/j.ejim.2010.09.002.