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If you’re currently experiencing reoccurring abdominal pain, you may have considered the possibility that your pain could stem from diverticulitis or some other abdominal disorder (IBS, hiatal hernia, etc.), but weren’t sure what doctors might do to find out. While you may have outgrown your fear of needles, the thought of visiting a hospital to run an endless amount of intrusive tests might keep you from ever stepping foot inside your doctor’s office.

Relax. The diagnosis of diverticulitis or diverticulosis is quite simple and not intrusive (not usually, at least).

What will happen at the doctor’s office is a quick overview of your symptoms followed by a routine health screening (checking breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.). If your doctor thinks your symptoms could be diverticulitis, you will usually be referred for a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Though it may sound scary, CT scans are nothing more than multiple x-rays taken of your stomach area. These will help your doctor determine what steps to take. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be recommended for final confirmation, but not always.

In the case of a colonoscopy, doctors will usually give you a local anesthetic, though sometimes they will “knock you out” completely and wake you up when the exam is done. Oftentimes, after the exam is over, the doctor will show you video of the exam, noting any trouble areas or potential concerns. If you did indeed have diverticulitis, the doctor will point out their positions as the video progresses.

Whatever choice the doctor chooses is up to him; the important thing for you to remember is this – getting checked early will save you a lot of pain, heartache, and medical costs – so take that first step and schedule an appointment with your doctor today to check out your diverticulitis symptoms!