Differential Diagnosis for Persistent Nausea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This condition is characterized by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. It's a common condition that can cause persistent nausea due to the chronic irritation of the esophagus.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Viral Gastroenteritis: Often referred to as the stomach flu, this condition can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It's highly contagious and can lead to persistent nausea until the infection resolves.
- Food Poisoning: Consuming contaminated food can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms can persist until the toxins are cleared from the body.
- Pregnancy: Morning sickness is a common symptom experienced by many pregnant women, characterized by nausea and vomiting. It can occur at any time of the day and may persist throughout the pregnancy.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, pain relievers, and chemotherapy drugs, can cause nausea as a side effect. The persistence of nausea depends on the medication and its duration of use.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although appendicitis typically presents with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, the pain can sometimes be minimal, leading to a focus on the nausea. Missing this diagnosis can lead to a ruptured appendix, which is a medical emergency.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications.
- Kidney Stones: The pain associated with kidney stones can radiate to the abdomen, causing nausea and vomiting. While not usually life-threatening, it can lead to severe complications if obstructive and not properly managed.
- Brain Tumors: Certain brain tumors, especially those in the posterior fossa or brainstem, can cause persistent nausea and vomiting due to increased intracranial pressure or direct effects on the brain's vomiting centers.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting that can last for hours or even days, with periods of normal health in between episodes.
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food.
- ** Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome**: A rare condition where the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) is compressed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Addison's Disease: A rare endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone, leading to a variety of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.