Differential Diagnosis for Vomiting after Eating
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This condition is characterized by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, often triggered by eating. It's a common cause of vomiting after meals, especially in individuals who experience relief with antacids or have a history of heartburn.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Functional Dyspepsia: A condition marked by recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion that have no obvious cause. Symptoms can include vomiting after eating, among others like bloating and discomfort.
- Food Intolerance: Intolerance to certain foods (e.g., lactose, gluten) can lead to vomiting after consumption. This is different from a food allergy, which involves an immune response.
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It can cause vomiting after eating, especially if the food is high in fat or fiber.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pyloric Stenosis: A narrowing of the pylorus, the opening from the stomach into the small intestine, which can cause projectile vomiting after eating. It's more common in infants but can occur in adults, often due to scarring from ulcers.
- Gastric Outlet Obstruction: Any condition that blocks the normal flow of food from the stomach into the small intestine, such as tumors or strictures, can cause vomiting after meals.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause vomiting, among other symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain, especially after eating certain foods.
Rare Diagnoses
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by excessive gastric acid production due to a gastrin-producing tumor, leading to severe ulcers and vomiting.
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant, potentially causing vomiting.
- Rumination Syndrome: A condition where food is regurgitated and then chewed and swallowed again, often shortly after eating. It can be mistaken for vomiting but is a distinct condition involving voluntary or involuntary regurgitation.