Differential Diagnosis for Bloating
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is the most common cause of bloating, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive tract.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Functional Dyspepsia: A condition where the stomach doesn't function normally, leading to symptoms like bloating, discomfort, and early satiety.
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): An excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, which can lead to bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.
- Lactose Intolerance: The inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, leading to bloating, gas, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products.
- Food Intolerances (e.g., gluten, fructose): Similar to lactose intolerance, some individuals may experience bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms due to an inability to properly digest certain foods.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Ovarian Cancer: Although rare, ovarian cancer can present with bloating, abdominal discomfort, and changes in bowel habits, making it crucial to consider in the differential diagnosis, especially in postmenopausal women.
- Bowel Obstruction: A blockage in the intestine that can cause severe bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Rare diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing bloating, diarrhea, and malabsorption.
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
- Abdominal Wall Hernias: Although not typically associated with bloating as a primary symptom, large hernias can cause abdominal discomfort and bloating due to the protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.