Key Points to Know About Living with Diverticulitis

5. Diagnosing Diverticulitis

It is not always easy to diagnose this health issue due to the fact the signs and symptoms are not especially unique to this health problem. Medical professionals look for a way to rule out other common causes of these side effects to diagnose the onset of diverticulitis. In order to do so, a doctor must perform an abdominal check to diagnose the issue. Women are asked to undergo a pelvic exam due to the likelihood of pelvic disease as evidenced by these symptoms. If there is tenderness, the doctor will continue the exam to diagnose diverticulitis to begin a treatment plan for each patient with a positive diagnosis.

6. Additional Testing For Patients With Potential Diverticulitis

Once abdominal pain is reported in a patient, medical professionals perform several other tests to look for diverticulitis. Blood and urine tests are ordered to check for any signs of infection. Women who are not yet past the age of childbearing are required to take a pregnancy test as pregnancy is a common cause of many of the symptoms of diverticulitis, and it must be ruled out. Stool tests are necessary if any patient presents diarrhea as a side effect, and liver function is tested to rule out more serious health problems. Finally, doctors might order a CT scan to verify the presence of infected pockets around the colon.