Differential Diagnosis for Chronic Severe Stomach Pain and Bloating Following Carbohydrate Consumption
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This condition is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. The symptoms can be triggered by carbohydrate consumption, among other factors. IBS is a common disorder that fits the described symptoms closely.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Lactose Intolerance: This condition occurs when the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Symptoms include bloating, gas, and stomach pain after consuming lactose-containing products.
- Fructose Malabsorption: Similar to lactose intolerance, this condition involves the poor absorption of fructose, a sugar found in many fruits, vegetables, and processed foods. Symptoms can include bloating, abdominal pain, and gas after consuming fructose.
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This condition occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the bacteria that inhabit the small intestine. Consuming carbohydrates can exacerbate symptoms, which include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Missing this diagnosis can lead to malnutrition and increased risk of other autoimmune diseases.
- Gastric Cancer: Although less common, gastric cancer can present with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating. It is crucial to rule out this diagnosis, especially in individuals with risk factors or those who do not respond to initial treatments.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. These conditions can lead to severe complications if not properly managed.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sucrose Isomaltase Deficiency: A rare genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to digest sucrose and other sugars. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming sucrose.
- Glucose-Galactose Malabsorption: A rare condition where the body is unable to absorb glucose and galactose properly, leading to symptoms like severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating after consuming these sugars.
- Pancreatic Insufficiency: A condition where the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of nutrients, including carbohydrates. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, and steatorrhea (fatty stools).