Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain and Nausea with Red Flags
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is often the most common cause of abdominal pain and nausea, especially if the onset is acute and there's a history of recent travel, food intake, or exposure to someone with similar symptoms. The presence of red flags such as fever, vomiting, or bloody stools can still be consistent with a severe case of gastroenteritis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: A common cause of acute abdominal pain, especially if the pain starts near the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen. Nausea and vomiting are common accompanying symptoms.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often presenting with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting, especially after eating fatty foods.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It's often associated with gallstones or excessive alcohol use.
- Intestinal Obstruction: A blockage in the intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, often presenting with abdominal pain and nausea. It's a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
- Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm: A life-threatening condition where the aorta ruptures, causing severe abdominal pain that can radiate to the back.
- Perforated Ulcer: A hole in the stomach or intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and requires immediate surgical intervention.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: A condition where the blood flow to the intestine is blocked, causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Rare Diagnoses
- Porphyria: A group of disorders that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and neurological symptoms due to a buildup of porphyrins.
- Lead Poisoning: Exposure to lead can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, among other neurological and systemic symptoms.
- Carcinoid Syndrome: A condition caused by a rare type of tumor that can produce substances leading to abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and flushing.
- Abdominal Migraine: A condition that causes recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, similar to migraine headaches.