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Differential Diagnosis for Gas Pain in Abdomen

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is often the most common cause of gas pain in the abdomen, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive tract.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Functional Dyspepsia: A term for recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion that have no obvious cause. Symptoms can vary but often include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
  • Lactose Intolerance: The inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, leading to bloating, gas, and abdominal pain after consuming these products.
  • Fructose Malabsorption: Similar to lactose intolerance, this condition involves the poor absorption of fructose, a sugar found in many fruits and some vegetables, leading to gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
  • Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): A condition where there is an abnormal increase in the bacteria that inhabit the small intestine, leading to bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis can present with abdominal pain that may initially be diffuse or around the navel and then localize to the lower right abdomen. It's a medical emergency requiring prompt surgical intervention.
  • Intestinal Obstruction: A blockage that prevents the normal flow of the products of digestion, including food, fluid, and gas, which can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the GI tract, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
  • Gallbladder Disease: Gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder can cause severe abdominal pain, often in the upper right or middle abdomen, which may radiate to the back or right shoulder.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss.
  • Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, feeling full after eating only a small amount of food, and abdominal bloating.
  • Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Abdominal Angina: A condition caused by reduced blood flow to the intestines, leading to chronic abdominal pain after eating, and weight loss.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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