Differential Diagnosis for Right Lower Quadrant Pain after Eating Processed Sugars

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This condition is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. The symptoms can be triggered by certain foods, including processed sugars. IBS is a common condition and often presents with symptoms that match the description provided.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Lactose Intolerance: If the processed sugars are part of dairy products, lactose intolerance could be a cause, leading to bloating, gas, and abdominal pain after consumption.
• Fructose Malabsorption: Similar to lactose intolerance, some individuals may have difficulty absorbing fructose, a common sugar in many processed foods, leading to abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, often in the lower quadrants, and can be exacerbated by certain foods, including processed sugars.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Appendicitis: Although appendicitis typically presents with pain that initially is diffuse or around the navel and then localizes to the right lower quadrant, it's crucial not to miss this diagnosis due to its potential for serious complications if not promptly treated.
• Intestinal Obstruction: This is a condition where the intestine is partially or completely blocked, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. It requires immediate medical attention.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: In women of childbearing age, an ectopic pregnancy can cause lower abdominal pain and should be considered, especially if there's a possibility of pregnancy.

Rare Diagnoses

• Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption. It's less common but should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
• Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, which can be exacerbated by certain foods, including processed sugars, leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): A condition where there's an abnormal increase in the bacteria that inhabit the small intestine, leading to bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits after eating certain foods.