Testing for diverticulitis involves a doctor's exam, blood tests for infection, and most importantly, a CT scan of the abdomen, which accurately shows inflammation and complications, while a colonoscopy might be scheduled later to check for other issues or after recovery from an acute flare-up.
Diverticulitis is diagnosed primarily with a CT scan (often with contrast), the most precise tool to see inflammation and complications, along with a doctor's review of your medical history, physical exam (checking for tenderness), and blood tests for infection. Other tests, like colonoscopy (to rule out cancer), ultrasound, or X-rays, might also be used to confirm the diagnosis and check for other issues.
A few early signs that could indicate you're suffering from diverticulitis include:
Tests for diverticular disease and diverticulitis
You may need a blood test or to give a poo sample to help find what's wrong. You may need further tests to confirm if you have diverticular disease or diverticulitis and rule out other conditions.
Following this, some or all of the following tests may be used to confirm a diverticulosis or diverticulitis diagnosis: Blood and urine tests to check for signs of infection. A stool sample, which can reveal bacteria, blood, and other abnormalities in the stool.
Conditions Commonly Mistaken for Diverticulitis
What tests do doctors use to diagnose diverticular disease? Doctors may order blood tests, a stool test, imaging tests, and a colonoscopy to help diagnose diverticular disease.
During your trip to the emergency room, your doctor will administer a blood test to identify any infections. They may also conduct other tests to help diagnose diverticulitis — including CT scans, ultrasounds of the abdomen, and x-rays of the abdomen.
Honestly, recovering from diverticulitis might take up to two weeks. In the initial days of recuperating from straightforward diverticulitis in the comfort of your home, you'll be on a liquid diet, taking it easy, and using the prescribed medications for pain relief.
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the gastroenterologist to examine the lining of the colon and rectum wall for any problems, including diverticula. Your doctor may also use this test to identify inflammation or bleeding in the colon.
Stage I: Diverticulitis with phlegmon or localized pericolic or mesenteric abscess. This means there are inflammatory masses or abscesses in the fat surrounding the colon or the folds of the small intestine. Stage II: Diverticulitis with walled-off pelvic, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal abscess.
For managing mild diverticulitis pain or symptoms at home, your healthcare professional may recommend eating only clear foods and clear liquids for a few days. Examples of clear liquids that you can have include: Chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple, cranberry and grape juices.
Diverticulitis causes several noticeable changes in your poop, including altered color (bright red, maroon, or black), different shapes (thin, pellet-like, or irregular), and unusual texture (watery diarrhea or hard constipation).
Diverticulitis comes from infection and inflammation within small pouches (diverticula) that form in the colon wall, often due to high pressure from straining to pass hard, low-fiber stools, trapping bacteria and food, leading to blockage and infection. Risk factors include a low-fiber diet, constipation, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, red meat, and age, though doctors don't know the exact cause.
The most common tests for diagnosing diverticulitis and its complications typically include blood tests, urine tests, and a computed tomography (CT scan) of the abdomen and pelvis. Among these, a CT scan is considered the most reliable method for diagnosing diverticulitis.
Urgent red flags – seek immediate medical help (999/A&E):
Severe or worsening abdominal pain with fever. Persistent vomiting, inability to pass wind or stool. Heavy rectal bleeding, black or tarry stools. Signs of shock (pale, clammy, dizzy, fainting)
During the acute phase of uncomplicated diverticulitis, “bowel rest” through a clear liquid diet is advised with a goal of patient comfort. If a patient cannot advance their diet after three to five days, a follow-up appointment should be scheduled immediately.
If you need emergency surgery, your doctor may perform a surgery called Hartmann's procedure, in which he or she removes the diseased portion of the colon and cleans out any infected areas in the abdominal cavity. This procedure requires general anesthesia. It can be done using laparoscopy or an open technique.
While no specific foods are proven to trigger diverticulitis attacks, a diet rich in high-fiber foods can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of complications. High-fiber foods soften waste, decreasing pressure in the digestive tract. Examples include: Fruits.
For people who have diverticulitis without complications, doctors may recommend treatment at home. However, people typically need treatment in a hospital if they have severe diverticulitis, diverticulitis with complications, or a high risk for complications.
Common alternative conditions that can clinically mimic diverticulitis include small bowel obstruction, primary epiploic appendagitis, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, ileitis, ovarian cystic disease, and ureteral stone disease.
Mortality following emergent surgery was 10.64% (95% CI 7.95–14.11; p < 0.001), versus 0.50% (95% CI 0.46–0.54; p < 0.001) following elective operations.
Diverticulitis is diagnosed primarily with a CT scan (often with contrast), the most precise tool to see inflammation and complications, along with a doctor's review of your medical history, physical exam (checking for tenderness), and blood tests for infection. Other tests, like colonoscopy (to rule out cancer), ultrasound, or X-rays, might also be used to confirm the diagnosis and check for other issues.
Computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose acute diverticulitis, but there are overlapping features between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) on imaging studies. Hence, colonoscopy is typically recommended after an episode of acute diverticulitis to rule out underlying malignancy.
Recent advances in the surgical management of diverticulitis have significantly improved patient outcomes and treatment strategies. One notable development is the laparoscopic approach, which has been introduced for the diagnosis and definitive treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis [3].