Most people do not know they have diverticula (small outpouchings in the lining of the colon).
These are sometimes discovered during acolonoscopythats done to screen forcolon cancer.
As people age, they can develop diverticulaa condition calleddiverticular disease.
lechatnoir / Getty Images
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.
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.
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.
The study authors point out that completing a colonoscopy is more difficult in people with a history of diverticulitis.
Finding Hemorrhoids During a Colonoscopy
Ahemorrhoidis a swollen vein in the anus or rectum.
They may cause pain, bleeding, or itching.
However, some people dont 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.
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.
Do You Need Another Diverticulitis Colonoscopy After Treatment?
When feeling better after having diverticulitis, a colonoscopy might be recommended.
Diverticulitis can be complicated or uncomplicated.
In uncomplicated diverticulitis, there are no complications, and it is often treated at home.
Complicated diverticulitis might need to be treated in the hospital.
For that reason, a follow-up colonoscopy might be recommended after uncomplicated diverticulitis.
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.
A healthcare providerusually agastroenterologistor acolorectal surgeonwill give a recommendation.
It could be as short as five years or as long as 10 years between colonoscopies for diverticular disease.
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.
A few lifestyle changes might be recommended for diverticular disease thats not causing any symptoms (diverticulosis).
It might not be possible to avoid diverticulitis altogether.
Severe abdominal pain should be checked out immediately.
Summary
A colonoscopy is a helpful tool for diverticular disease.
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.
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, Unlu C, de Korte N, et al.
