Differential Diagnosis for Persistent Vomiting
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is often the most common cause of persistent vomiting, especially in children and young adults, due to viral or bacterial infections affecting the stomach and intestines.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food poisoning: Similar to gastroenteritis, food poisoning from consuming contaminated food can lead to persistent vomiting.
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause persistent vomiting, often due to infection, alcohol use, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Intestinal obstruction: A blockage in the intestines can prevent normal flow of food, fluids, and gas, leading to vomiting.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix can cause vomiting, especially if the appendix ruptures.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to persistent vomiting due to the release of digestive enzymes into the abdominal cavity.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pregnancy: Morning sickness can sometimes be severe and persistent, and missing a pregnancy diagnosis can have significant implications.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: A serious complication of diabetes that can cause vomiting, among other symptoms, and requires immediate medical attention.
- Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) can cause vomiting, and missing this diagnosis can be fatal.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, potentially cutting off blood supply, which is a medical emergency.
- Pyloric stenosis: A condition where the pylorus (the passage between the stomach and small intestine) thickens, blocking food from entering the intestine, common in infants.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome: A rare condition characterized by recurring episodes of severe vomiting with no apparent cause.
- Eosinophilic esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant, leading to vomiting.
- Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, often causing nausea and vomiting.
- Rabies: Although extremely rare in humans, rabies can cause vomiting among its many symptoms, and is almost always fatal if not treated promptly after exposure.
- Brain tumors: Certain brain tumors can increase intracranial pressure, leading to vomiting, among other symptoms.