Differential Diagnosis for Bloody Diarrhea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is often the most common cause of bloody diarrhea, especially if it's a single episode. Viral or bacterial infections can lead to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in bloody stools.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease can cause bloody diarrhea due to chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bowel lining.
- Food Poisoning: Certain types of food poisoning, such as that caused by E. coli or Salmonella, can lead to bloody diarrhea.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of a diverticulum in the wall of the colon can cause bloody diarrhea, although it's more common in older adults.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another, which can cause bloody diarrhea and is a medical emergency, especially in children.
- Ischemic Colitis: Reduced blood flow to the colon can cause bloody diarrhea and is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
- Infectious Colitis: Certain infections like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can cause severe bloody diarrhea and require specific treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A rare condition that can occur after certain bacterial infections, leading to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, and anemia.
- Colonic Angiodysplasia: A condition characterized by abnormal blood vessels in the colon that can cause recurrent episodes of bloody diarrhea, more common in the elderly.
- Colorectal Cancer: Although rare as a cause of a single episode of bloody diarrhea, it's an important consideration, especially in older adults or those with risk factors.