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Diagnosis & Treatment

Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis

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How Are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Diagnosed?

How Are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Diagnosed?

Diverticulosis does not usually cause symptoms, so diagnosis usually occurs after a person undergoes testing for an unrelated reason. If you have symptoms of diverticulitis, your doctor will likely begin by asking you about your medical history and what kind of symptoms you are experiencing.

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
  • A liver enzyme test to rule out liver-related causes of abdominal pain
  • A CT scan, which can reveal inflamed diverticula and the severity of the condition

How Are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Treated?

How Are Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Treated?

Diverticulosis does not usually require treatment, but your doctor will monitor your condition to look for signs of diverticulitis. If you have diverticulitis, your doctor will decide on a treatment plan based on your condition’s severity and lifestyle.

Diverticulitis treatment may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and medications.

Dietary changes

Your doctor may recommend a liquid diet for a few days until your pain eases. You can then slowly introduce thicker liquids and soft foods. Many people are able to improve the symptoms of diverticular disease by increasing the quantity of fiber in their diets, such as eating more whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits.

NewYork-Presbyterian’s digestive care teams include registered dietitians who can counsel you on creating a healthier diet.

Medication

Your physician may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat infection for mild to moderate diverticulitis. If your condition is severe, intravenous antibiotics may be prescribed.

Surgery

If you have a severe case of diverticulitis or have complications such as a fistula, bowel blockage, or weakened immune system, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment.

Primary bowel resections and bowel resections with colostomy are two common types of surgery used to treat diverticulitis.

  • In a primary bowel resection, the surgeon removes the parts of the colon affected by diverticulitis and reconnects the healthy portions of the bowels.
  • In cases where inflammation is too severe to reconnect the colon and rectum, the surgeon may perform a bowel resection with a colostomy, in which the colon is connected via an opening in the abdominal wall.

FAQs

FAQs

No. Many cases of diverticulosis never turn into diverticulitis and do not require treatment. Diverticulosis is very common in older adults and is generally not a cause for concern.

Diverticulitis can be successfully treated with antibiotics, surgery, and dietary changes. Diverticula are unlikely to disappear, but symptoms can be managed with proper treatment.

Diverticulitis is a minor risk factor for colon cancer.

Diverticulitis can be acute, in which inflammation and infection flare up in specific instances, or it can be chronic, in which symptoms may be managed but never go away completely.

If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, a fever and chills, excessive nausea and vomiting, or any other symptoms of diverticulitis that are not going away, you should see a doctor immediately.

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Treatment

Guidelines for the best treatment of diverticulitis continue to evolve. NewYork-Presbyterian’s surgeons have extensive experience in this area and are passionate about refining treatments based on the causes of diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

We are involved at the national level in the development of consensus guidelines for the management of diverticulitis, placing us in a unique position to offer individualized care based on the latest medical advances.