Differential Diagnosis for Preprandial Hunger-like Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Peptic Ulcer Disease: This is the most likely diagnosis because preprandial hunger-like pain is a classic symptom of peptic ulcers, which are open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD can cause symptoms similar to peptic ulcers, including pain that may be mistaken for hunger.
- Functional Dyspepsia: This condition is characterized by recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion that have no obvious cause, which can include hunger-like pain.
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause pain that may be perceived as hunger.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Myocardial Infarction: Although less common, chest pain can sometimes be referred to the epigastric region, mimicking hunger-like pain, making it crucial to rule out cardiac causes.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe abdominal pain that may be confused with hunger-like pain.
- Gastric Cancer: Although rare, gastric cancer can present with non-specific symptoms, including pain that might be mistaken for hunger.
- Rare diagnoses
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by excessive gastric acid production, leading to severe ulcers and diarrhea.
- Menetrier's Disease: A rare disorder characterized by large folds in the stomach lining, leading to protein loss and abdominal pain.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition where eosinophils infiltrate the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and abdominal pain.