Differential Diagnosis for Patient Throwing Up Green Liquid
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is the most likely diagnosis, as the patient is throwing up green liquid, which is often indicative of bile. Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, can cause vomiting of bile, especially if the stomach is empty.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food Poisoning: Similar to gastroenteritis, food poisoning can cause vomiting of bile, especially if the patient has not eaten for a while.
- Viral Gastroenteritis: Also known as the stomach flu, this condition can cause vomiting of bile, along with other symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause vomiting of bile, especially if the patient has been taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or has been drinking excessively.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intestinal Obstruction: Although less likely, intestinal obstruction can cause vomiting of bile, and it is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Appendicitis: In some cases, appendicitis can cause vomiting of bile, especially if the appendix is located near the stomach or small intestine.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause vomiting of bile, along with severe abdominal pain and other symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder can cause vomiting of bile, although this is a less common cause of this symptom.
- Biliary Duct Obstruction: Obstruction of the bile ducts can cause vomiting of bile, although this is a rare condition that typically occurs in patients with a history of gallstones or other biliary disorders.
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by excessive production of stomach acid, which can cause vomiting of bile, along with other symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.