Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsColonoscopy FindingsAfter TreatmentGuidelinesHealthy Colon Habits
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Colonoscopy Findings
After Treatment
Guidelines
Healthy Colon Habits
Most people do not know they have diverticula (small outpouchings in the lining of the colon). These are sometimes discovered during acolonoscopythat’s done to screen forcolon cancer.
As people age, they can develop diverticula—a condition calleddiverticular disease. Diverticula usually do not cause any problems. But if they become inflamed, which is known asdiverticulitis, they may cause symptoms such as pain.
When diverticula are inflamed and causing symptoms, a colonoscopy is normally not done. Instead, a colonoscopy and/or other tests might be done several weeks later after the diverticulitis is under control.
This article will discuss how a colonoscopy can reveal a diagnosis of diverticular disease, how a colonoscopy is used after diverticulitis treatment, and how to develop habits for a healthy colon.
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A Diverticulitis Colonoscopy Diagnosis
A colonoscopy is a test done to look at the inside of the colon. A healthcare provider inserts a thin tube with a light and a camera on the end into the anus and up through the rectum and the other parts of the large intestine. You usually are given medication and are asleep during this test.
It’s not uncommon to find one or more diverticula during a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer. A screening colonoscopy is recommended for most people at an average risk of developing colon cancer once they reach age 45.
As people age, diverticular disease becomes more common. It is less common in people under the age of 40 years. However, it has been increasing in this group in recent years.
Diverticular disease is the most common condition that’s found during a colonoscopy. Between the ages of 50 and 59 years, about 33% of people have diverticula in their colon. For those over the age of 80 years, the estimate goes up to 71%.
Most people with diverticular disease will not have any problems. Between 4% and 5% of people will havesymptoms, which are usually due to uncomplicated diverticulitis. Of that low percentage with diverticulitis, about 20% will have complicated diverticulitis.
It is possible, though unlikely, that diverticular disease could be missed during a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy may not be completed because ofpoor prepor other reasons, like narrowed areas of the colon (strictures), making it difficult for the scope to pass through and, therefore, preventing those areas from being seen.
One study found that after having diverticulitis, a colonoscopy missed finding the diverticula in about 8% of people. The study authors point out that completing a colonoscopy is more difficult in people with a history of diverticulitis.
Another test, such as acomputed tomography (CT)scan, might be used if a colonoscopy can’t be completed.
Potential Diverticulitis Complications
Finding Hemorrhoids During a ColonoscopyAhemorrhoidis a swollen vein in the anus or rectum. They may cause pain, bleeding, or itching. However, some people don’t know they have hemorrhoids because they have no symptoms. Hemorrhoids might be found during a colonoscopy. They can often be managed withat-home careor, uncommonly, withsurgery.
Finding Hemorrhoids During a Colonoscopy
Ahemorrhoidis a swollen vein in the anus or rectum. They may cause pain, bleeding, or itching. However, some people don’t know they have hemorrhoids because they have no symptoms. Hemorrhoids might be found during a colonoscopy. They can often be managed withat-home careor, uncommonly, withsurgery.
Diverticulosis Diagnosed From a CT Scan
Diverticular disease might also be diagnosed with a CT scan. A CT colonography is a test that uses X-rays to create an image of the structures in the abdomen.
CT colonography might be done to screen for colon cancer for those who can’t or don’t want to have a colonoscopy. Diverticular disease might be found during such a screening. A CT scan done to diagnose the cause ofdigestive systemsymptoms could also find diverticula.
A CT scan can help diagnose diverticulitis. It is a commonly used test when diverticulitis is suspected. This test can help rule in or out diverticular disease for symptoms in the gut.
Diverticulitis and Colonoscopy: What to Know
Do You Need Another Diverticulitis Colonoscopy After Treatment?
When feeling better after having diverticulitis, a colonoscopy might be recommended. There could be differences based on prior history, if there are any other problems in the digestive system, and if there were any complications from the diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis can be complicated or uncomplicated. In uncomplicated diverticulitis, there are no complications, and it is often treated at home. In complicated diverticulitis, there are other problems like an abscess (a pocket of pus in the body) or a fistula (an abnormal tunnel between two organs). Complicated diverticulitis might need to be treated in the hospital.
Some studies have found that people who were diagnosed with diverticulitis using a CT scan might be at a slightly higher risk of having colon cancer. For that reason, a follow-up colonoscopy might be recommended after uncomplicated diverticulitis.
In the case of a recent CT scan that was normal besides the uncomplicated diverticulitis, a colonoscopy might not be needed.
Diverticulitis Treatment
Colonoscopy Guidelines for Patients With Diverticular Disease
A colonoscopy is often used in the management of diverticular disease. In diverticulitis, it could be used at different points, depending on the seriousness of the symptoms. There may be differences between how frequently healthcare providers request a colonoscopy is used in diverticular disease.
One review of medical literature recommends the following criteria for when a colonoscopy should be performed for people with divierticular disease:
For people with diverticular disease without any symptoms, there is no preferred timeline for how often a colonoscopy is needed. A healthcare provider—usually agastroenterologistor acolorectal surgeon—will give a recommendation. It could be as short as five years or as long as 10 years between colonoscopies for diverticular disease.
How Often Should You Get a Colonoscopy?
Healthy Colon Habits With Diverticulosis or Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis causes symptoms in the gut, usually pain, and also either diarrhea or constipation. When the symptoms start, you may need to go on a liquid diet for a few days.
After a few days, the diet might be expanded to include more foods. After about a week, there may be another appointment with a healthcare provider to check progress. After about six weeks, the colon may be healed enough for a follow-up colonoscopy.
Many people feel better about two weeks (or sooner) after an uncomplicated diverticulitis flare-up.If symptoms persist longer than that, consider following up with a healthcare provider.
A few lifestyle changes might be recommended for diverticular disease that’s not causing any symptoms (diverticulosis). These include:
A healthcare provider can help in making changes to try to prevent a flare-up of diverticulitis. It might not be possible to avoid diverticulitis altogether. But for those who had a bout with diverticulitis or have chronic symptoms, it may help to work with a healthcare provider to create a management plan.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderSymptoms of diverticulitis are a reason to go to a healthcare provider. Diverticulitis might be treated at home, but it needs to be diagnosed to make sure there are no complications.Severe abdominal pain should be checked out immediately. Rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, and vomiting, along with abdominal pain, are also reasons to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Symptoms of diverticulitis are a reason to go to a healthcare provider. Diverticulitis might be treated at home, but it needs to be diagnosed to make sure there are no complications.Severe abdominal pain should be checked out immediately. Rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, and vomiting, along with abdominal pain, are also reasons to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Symptoms of diverticulitis are a reason to go to a healthcare provider. Diverticulitis might be treated at home, but it needs to be diagnosed to make sure there are no complications.
Severe abdominal pain should be checked out immediately. Rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, and vomiting, along with abdominal pain, are also reasons to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Does Diverticulitis Go Away?
Summary
A colonoscopy is a helpful tool for diverticular disease. Especially where there are severe symptoms or bleeding that might be from diverticulitis, a colonoscopy might be done right away.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122Tursi A, Scarpignato C, Strate LL, et al.Colonic diverticular disease. 2020;6:35.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:20. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-0153-5Chabok A, Thorisson A, Nikberg M, Schultz JK, Sallinen V.Changing paradigms in the management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.Scand J Surg.2021;110:180-186. doi:10.1177/14574969211011032Studniarek A, Kochar K, Warner C, et al.Findings on colonoscopy after diverticulitis: a multicenter review.Am Surg.2019;85:1381-1385.Kelly ME, Heeney A, Redmond CE, et al.Incidental findings detected on emergency abdominal CT scans: a 1-year review.Abdom Imaging.2015;40:1853-1857. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0349-4.Hall J, Hardiman K, Lee S, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of left-sided colonic diverticulitis.Dis Colon Rectum. 2020;63:728-747. doi:10.1097/dcr.0000000000001679Koprowski MA, Affleck A, Tsikitis VL.Emerging evidence and recent controversies in diverticulitis: a 5-year review.Ann Gastroenterology.2022;35:8-16. doi:10.20524/aog.2021.0677Tursi A, Papa V, Lopetuso LR, Vetrone LM, Gasbarrini A, Papa A.When to perform a colonoscopy in diverticular disease and why: A personalized approach.J Pers Med. 2022;12:1713. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101713.Fejleh MP, Tabibian JH.Colonoscopic management of diverticular disease.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2020;12:53-59. doi:10.4253/wjge.v12.i2.53Daniels L, Ünlü Ç, de Korte N, et al. for Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group.Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.Br J Surg. 2017;104:52-61. doi:10.1002/bjs.10309
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122Tursi A, Scarpignato C, Strate LL, et al.Colonic diverticular disease. 2020;6:35.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:20. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-0153-5Chabok A, Thorisson A, Nikberg M, Schultz JK, Sallinen V.Changing paradigms in the management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.Scand J Surg.2021;110:180-186. doi:10.1177/14574969211011032Studniarek A, Kochar K, Warner C, et al.Findings on colonoscopy after diverticulitis: a multicenter review.Am Surg.2019;85:1381-1385.Kelly ME, Heeney A, Redmond CE, et al.Incidental findings detected on emergency abdominal CT scans: a 1-year review.Abdom Imaging.2015;40:1853-1857. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0349-4.Hall J, Hardiman K, Lee S, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of left-sided colonic diverticulitis.Dis Colon Rectum. 2020;63:728-747. doi:10.1097/dcr.0000000000001679Koprowski MA, Affleck A, Tsikitis VL.Emerging evidence and recent controversies in diverticulitis: a 5-year review.Ann Gastroenterology.2022;35:8-16. doi:10.20524/aog.2021.0677Tursi A, Papa V, Lopetuso LR, Vetrone LM, Gasbarrini A, Papa A.When to perform a colonoscopy in diverticular disease and why: A personalized approach.J Pers Med. 2022;12:1713. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101713.Fejleh MP, Tabibian JH.Colonoscopic management of diverticular disease.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2020;12:53-59. doi:10.4253/wjge.v12.i2.53Daniels L, Ünlü Ç, de Korte N, et al. for Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group.Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.Br J Surg. 2017;104:52-61. doi:10.1002/bjs.10309
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122Tursi A, Scarpignato C, Strate LL, et al.Colonic diverticular disease. 2020;6:35.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:20. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-0153-5Chabok A, Thorisson A, Nikberg M, Schultz JK, Sallinen V.Changing paradigms in the management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.Scand J Surg.2021;110:180-186. doi:10.1177/14574969211011032Studniarek A, Kochar K, Warner C, et al.Findings on colonoscopy after diverticulitis: a multicenter review.Am Surg.2019;85:1381-1385.Kelly ME, Heeney A, Redmond CE, et al.Incidental findings detected on emergency abdominal CT scans: a 1-year review.Abdom Imaging.2015;40:1853-1857. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0349-4.Hall J, Hardiman K, Lee S, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of left-sided colonic diverticulitis.Dis Colon Rectum. 2020;63:728-747. doi:10.1097/dcr.0000000000001679Koprowski MA, Affleck A, Tsikitis VL.Emerging evidence and recent controversies in diverticulitis: a 5-year review.Ann Gastroenterology.2022;35:8-16. doi:10.20524/aog.2021.0677Tursi A, Papa V, Lopetuso LR, Vetrone LM, Gasbarrini A, Papa A.When to perform a colonoscopy in diverticular disease and why: A personalized approach.J Pers Med. 2022;12:1713. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101713.Fejleh MP, Tabibian JH.Colonoscopic management of diverticular disease.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2020;12:53-59. doi:10.4253/wjge.v12.i2.53Daniels L, Ünlü Ç, de Korte N, et al. for Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group.Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.Br J Surg. 2017;104:52-61. doi:10.1002/bjs.10309
Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122
Tursi A, Scarpignato C, Strate LL, et al.Colonic diverticular disease. 2020;6:35.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:20. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-0153-5
Chabok A, Thorisson A, Nikberg M, Schultz JK, Sallinen V.Changing paradigms in the management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.Scand J Surg.2021;110:180-186. doi:10.1177/14574969211011032
Studniarek A, Kochar K, Warner C, et al.Findings on colonoscopy after diverticulitis: a multicenter review.Am Surg.2019;85:1381-1385.
Kelly ME, Heeney A, Redmond CE, et al.Incidental findings detected on emergency abdominal CT scans: a 1-year review.Abdom Imaging.2015;40:1853-1857. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0349-4.
Hall J, Hardiman K, Lee S, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of left-sided colonic diverticulitis.Dis Colon Rectum. 2020;63:728-747. doi:10.1097/dcr.0000000000001679
Koprowski MA, Affleck A, Tsikitis VL.Emerging evidence and recent controversies in diverticulitis: a 5-year review.Ann Gastroenterology.2022;35:8-16. doi:10.20524/aog.2021.0677
Tursi A, Papa V, Lopetuso LR, Vetrone LM, Gasbarrini A, Papa A.When to perform a colonoscopy in diverticular disease and why: A personalized approach.J Pers Med. 2022;12:1713. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101713.
Fejleh MP, Tabibian JH.Colonoscopic management of diverticular disease.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2020;12:53-59. doi:10.4253/wjge.v12.i2.53
Daniels L, Ünlü Ç, de Korte N, et al. for Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group.Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.Br J Surg. 2017;104:52-61. doi:10.1002/bjs.10309
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