What is the cause of an 80-year-old's diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, and sensation of incomplete evacuation?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 23, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for 80-year-old with Diarrhea, Abdominal Cramping, Bloating, and Straining during Bowel Movement

  • Single most likely diagnosis:
    • Constipation with overflow diarrhea: This condition occurs when hard stool accumulates in the rectum and leaks out as liquid stool, causing diarrhea. The straining during bowel movements and bloating are consistent with constipation, while the diarrhea is a result of the overflow.
  • Other Likely diagnoses:
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS can cause a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. However, the straining during bowel movements is not typically a prominent feature of IBS.
    • Diverticulitis: This condition involves inflammation of the diverticula in the colon and can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the inflammation and potential narrowing of the colon.
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with secondary constipation: GERD can cause bloating and discomfort, which may lead to constipation and straining during bowel movements. Diarrhea is not a typical symptom of GERD, but it can occur in some cases.
  • Do Not Miss diagnoses:
    • Intestinal obstruction: Although less likely, intestinal obstruction can cause severe abdominal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the obstruction. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
    • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the inflammation and narrowing of the colon.
    • Infectious colitis: Infections like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the infection.
  • Rare diagnoses:
    • Colorectal cancer: Although rare in this presentation, colorectal cancer can cause changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea and constipation. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the tumor.
    • Neurogenic bowel: This condition involves damage to the nerves that control bowel movements, leading to constipation, diarrhea, and straining during bowel movements.
    • Endocrine disorders (e.g., thyroid disorders, diabetes): Certain endocrine disorders can cause changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea and constipation. Straining during bowel movements may occur due to the underlying condition.

Related Questions

What is the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) level during pregnancy?
What is the most likely diagnosis for a 42-year-old man presenting with severe headache, loss of consciousness, nuchal rigidity, hypertension, and tachycardia, following a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head?
What is the most likely cause of a 49-year-old man's ptosis, diplopia, and anterior mediastinal mass, with associated symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and unintentional weight loss, given his history of hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and medications including hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and omeprazole?
What is the treatment for infection at a piercing site?
What is the most appropriate diagnostic study for a 19-year-old woman presenting with acute right-sided facial weakness, fatigue, intermittent joint pain, and a history of recent influenza (flu)-like illness, fever, headache, and muscle pain, with physical examination findings of a right facial droop and blotchy erythematous areas on the upper extremities and back?
Should a patient with a piercing site infection remove the metallic body piercing (MBP)?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question