Differential Diagnosis for Bloating
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is often the most common cause of bloating due to its high prevalence and the fact that bloating is one of its key symptoms, along with abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Functional Dyspepsia: Characterized by upper abdominal symptoms such as bloating, early satiety, and discomfort, not exclusively related to bowel movements.
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Excess bacteria in the small intestine can lead to bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.
- Lactose Intolerance or Other Food Intolerances: Inability to digest certain foods can lead to bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Constipation: Infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools can cause bloating.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
- Ovarian Cancer: Though rare, ovarian cancer can present with bloating, abdominal distension, and other nonspecific symptoms, making it crucial not to miss.
- Bowel Obstruction: A blockage in the intestine that can cause severe bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the GI tract, leading to bloating among other symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing bloating, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
- Malabsorption Syndromes: Various conditions that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food, potentially causing bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms.