Abdominal Pain Differential Diagnosis
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is a common cause of abdominal pain, often accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A functional disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, with no identifiable cause.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, typically presenting with right lower quadrant pain, fever, and nausea.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon, often causing left lower quadrant pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits.
- Gallbladder Disease: Gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder can cause right upper quadrant pain, especially after eating fatty foods.
- Peptic Ulcer Disease: Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum can cause epigastric pain, often related to food intake or relieved by antacids.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening condition where a pregnancy develops outside the uterus, often presenting with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.
- Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm: A catastrophic event where the aorta ruptures, causing severe abdominal and back pain, often with hypotension.
- Intestinal Obstruction: A blockage of the intestine, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: Insufficient blood flow to the intestines, often causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Rare Diagnoses
- Pancreatic Cancer: A malignant tumor of the pancreas, often presenting with abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis): Chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, often causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
- Abdominal Aortic Dissection: A tear in the inner layer of the aorta, often causing severe abdominal and back pain, and potentially life-threatening.
- Porphyria: A group of rare genetic disorders that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and neurological symptoms.