Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain Relieved by Eating

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Peptic Ulcer Disease: This condition is characterized by ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use. Eating can buffer stomach acid, providing temporary relief from pain.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, often causing nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help manage symptoms.
  • Functional Dyspepsia: A chronic condition with recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion that have no obvious cause. Symptoms can be relieved by eating or worsened by eating, depending on the subtype.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Although symptoms of GERD typically worsen after eating, some individuals may experience relief due to the buffering effect of food on stomach acid.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Gastric Cancer: Although rare, gastric cancer can present with abdominal pain that may be relieved by eating. It is crucial to consider this diagnosis, especially in high-risk populations or those with alarming symptoms like weight loss or bleeding.
  • Mesenteric Ischemia: This condition involves insufficient blood flow to the intestines and can cause severe abdominal pain. While eating does not typically relieve the pain, early satiety can be a symptom, and it's essential to rule out this potentially life-threatening condition.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by excessive gastric acid production due to a gastrin-producing tumor. Abdominal pain can be relieved by eating due to the buffering effect of food on excess acid.
  • Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition involving eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may improve with eating in some cases, depending on the location and extent of involvement.