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Differential Diagnosis for 90-year-old with Abdominal Pain

Single most likely diagnosis

  • Constipation: Given the age of the patient, constipation is a common issue that can cause abdominal pain due to decreased bowel motility and harder stool consistency.

Other Likely diagnoses

  • Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon, which is more common in older adults and can cause abdominal pain, usually in the lower left quadrant.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Stomach acid reflux can cause abdominal pain and is common in older adults due to decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone.
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease: Stomach or duodenal ulcers can cause abdominal pain and are more common in older adults due to increased use of NSAIDs and Helicobacter pylori infection.
  • Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, which can cause abdominal pain, especially after eating fatty foods, and is more common in older adults.

Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)

  • Mesenteric Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the intestines, which can cause severe abdominal pain and is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
  • Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): A life-threatening condition that requires immediate surgical intervention, characterized by severe abdominal pain and potentially hypotension.
  • Perforated Viscus: A hole in the wall of the stomach or intestines, which can cause severe abdominal pain and peritonitis, requiring emergency surgery.
  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain and requires prompt medical attention.

Rare diagnoses

  • Intestinal Obstruction: Blockage of the intestines, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and is less common in older adults without a history of surgery or hernias.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, which can cause abdominal pain and are less common in older adults.
  • Abdominal Cancer: Various types of cancer that can cause abdominal pain, such as stomach, colon, or pancreatic cancer, which may be less common but should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

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.

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