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Colonoscopy After Diverticulitis: Why It's More Than Just a Routine Check
Published: Oct 07, 2023
If you've had diverticulitis, your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy. This isn't just a routine check - it's a crucial step in your care that can provide important insights about your condition.
Why is a Colonoscopy Recommended?
After recovering from diverticulitis, a colonoscopy is typically recommended to examine your colon more closely. This procedure allows doctors to assess the extent of diverticular disease and, importantly, to rule out other conditions like colon cancer. It's usually done about 6-8 weeks after your symptoms have resolved.
What Happens During a Colonoscopy?
During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera is inserted into your rectum to examine your entire colon. You'll be sedated for comfort. The doctor can see the inside of your colon on a screen, looking for diverticula (the small pouches), signs of inflammation, and any other abnormalities. If necessary, they can take small tissue samples (biopsies) for further testing.
What Can the Results Tell You?
The colonoscopy can provide valuable information about your condition. It can show how extensive your diverticular disease is and whether there are any complications like narrowing of the colon. Importantly, it can also detect other conditions that might have similar symptoms to diverticulitis, such as inflammatory bowel disease or, in rare cases, colon cancer.
Is It Always Necessary?
While guidelines generally recommend a colonoscopy after diverticulitis, there's some debate about whether it's always needed, especially for younger patients with uncomplicated cases. However, many doctors prefer to err on the side of caution. If you've had a colonoscopy within the past year, you might not need another one. Always discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you'll be sedated and shouldn't feel pain during the procedure.
The procedure itself usually takes about 30-60 minutes.
You'll need to clean out your colon, usually with special laxatives.
While generally safe, there are small risks like bleeding or perforation.
Your doctor will discuss any findings and next steps with you.
The Bottom Line
A colonoscopy after diverticulitis is an important tool that can provide crucial information about your digestive health and guide your future care.
References
- Sharma PV, Eglinton T, Hider P, Frizelle F. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of routine colonic evaluation after radiologically confirmed acute diverticulitis. Ann Surg 2014; 259:263.
- Rottier SJ, van Dijk ST, van Geloven AAW, et al. Meta-analysis of the role of colonoscopy after an episode of left-sided acute diverticulitis. Br J Surg 2019; 106:988.
- 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.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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