Differential Diagnosis for GERD
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is the most likely diagnosis given the question, as the symptoms and presentation typically align with those of GERD, such as heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Peptic Ulcer Disease: This condition can present with similar symptoms to GERD, including abdominal pain and dyspepsia, and often coexists with GERD.
- Functional Dyspepsia: A condition characterized by recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion that have no obvious cause, which can sometimes be confused with GERD.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus, which can be caused by GERD but also by other factors such as infections or allergies, presenting with symptoms like difficulty swallowing and chest pain.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Esophageal Cancer: Although less common, it's crucial to consider in the differential diagnosis, especially in older patients or those with a history of smoking and alcohol use, as it can present with dysphagia and weight loss.
- Coronary Artery Disease: Chest pain can sometimes be mistaken for GERD symptoms, but it's critical to rule out cardiac causes, as myocardial infarction can be life-threatening.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Can present with sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath, which might be confused with severe GERD symptoms, but requires immediate medical attention.
- Rare diagnoses
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant, leading to difficulty swallowing and food impaction.
- Achalasia: A rare swallowing disorder characterized by the inability of food to pass through the esophagus and into the stomach, often presenting with dysphagia to both liquids and solids.
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by excessive gastric acid secretion due to a gastrin-producing tumor, leading to severe peptic ulcer disease and diarrhea.