A Diagnosis of Diverticulitis

Symptoms that will make you suspect you have diverticulitis include bleeding from the anus; unusual changes in bowel movements or abdominal swelling. You may also experience signs of shock such as lightheadedness, restlessness, confusion; or signs of fear, such as low and shallow, or rapid breathing. Your skin is usually moist, cool and you find yourself sweating profusely. Other signs are extreme weakness, excessive thirst and nausea.

A sufferer in more advanced stages of shock can also lose consciousness. His face turns pale and lips blue. Shock occurs when a sufferer has lost too much blood. These indications warrant a call to 911 immediately.

Specific bowel signs that you should look out for are stools that are mostly blood, clots of blood or may look black, or tarlike. If you experience shoulder pain, have cramping in your abdomen that does not get better, or pass gas or stool from your urethra while urinating, then you will need to call your doctor immediately. Also note for any abnormal signs of vaginal discharge.

You can get your own family doctor to examine you for a prelimnary assessment. If your case is complicated, they may then refer you to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist, or surgeon. You may have to undergo a couple of medical appointment and tests including complete blood count (CBC), a urinalysis, a abdominal x-ray, a digital rectal exam, and a fecal occult blood test.

Depending on the symptoms that you have, your doctor may also order these tests:A computed tomography (CT) scans, a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a barium enema x-ray, and colonoscopy, as well as an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan, or an angiogram.

At the same time, your doctor may also advise you to go on a special diet of clear liquids or bland diet, so that your symptoms can be monitored. If you appear to be functioning well, then he may advise you to increase the fiber content in your diet gradually.

However, if your doctor determines that you are suffering from a severe case of diverticulitis, you may need to be hospitalized. At this point, surgery may be recommended if it is determined that sections of the colon have been destroyed, or if there are any complications from diverticulitis such as peritonitis or a total blockage.

With or without surgery, you will need to continue to regulate your diet. To prevent a relapse in diverticulitis, you have to ensure that you eat high fiber foods, low in red meat as well as drink plenty of water every day. For overall health, regular exercise is also warranted.