Differential Diagnosis for Nausea and Early Satiety
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 and early satiety due to the discomfort and pain associated with eating.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Functional Dyspepsia: A common condition where the stomach does not function normally, leading to symptoms like nausea, early satiety, and discomfort without any visible signs of disease.
- Peptic Ulcer Disease: Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum can cause nausea and early satiety due to pain and discomfort during or after eating.
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining can lead to nausea, vomiting, and early satiety due to the irritation and discomfort it causes.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Gastric Cancer: Although less common, gastric cancer can present with nonspecific symptoms like nausea and early satiety, making it crucial not to miss this diagnosis, especially in high-risk populations or those with alarming symptoms like weight loss or bleeding.
- Pyloric Stenosis: A condition where the pylorus (the passage between the stomach and small intestine) narrows, obstructing the flow of food, leading to severe vomiting and early satiety.
- Pancreatic Cancer: Can cause nausea and early satiety due to the tumor's location affecting digestion and the release of digestive enzymes.
Rare Diagnoses
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and early satiety due to the delayed gastric emptying.
- Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: A rare condition where the duodenum is compressed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, leading to nausea, vomiting, and early satiety due to the obstruction of the duodenum.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare inflammatory condition of the stomach and intestines that can cause nausea, vomiting, and early satiety among other symptoms.