Differential Diagnosis for 43-year-old with Yellow Vomit

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Gastroenteritis: This is a common condition that can cause vomiting, which may be yellow due to the presence of bile. The age and symptom presentation make this a plausible initial consideration.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder can cause nausea, vomiting (which may be yellow), and abdominal pain, especially after eating fatty foods.
• Peptic Ulcer Disease: Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum can lead to vomiting, which may contain bile, giving it a yellow color.
• Gallstones: Obstruction of the bile duct by gallstones can cause vomiting, which may appear yellow due to the bile content.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Intestinal Obstruction: A blockage in the intestines can lead to severe vomiting, which may be bile-stained (yellow). This condition requires immediate medical attention.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which may be yellow.
• Appendicitis: Although more commonly associated with abdominal pain, vomiting can occur, and in some cases, the vomit may appear yellow.

Rare Diagnoses

• Giardiasis: An intestinal infection caused by the Giardia parasite, which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting.
• Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A rare condition caused by occlusion of the hepatic veins, leading to liver dysfunction, which might result in vomiting among other symptoms.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by excessive gastric acid production, leading to peptic ulcers and potentially vomiting with a yellow appearance due to bile.