Differential Diagnosis for Recurrent Vomiting
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - This is a common condition, especially in infants and young children, where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing vomiting.
- Viral gastroenteritis - Often referred to as the stomach flu, this is a common cause of recurrent vomiting, usually accompanied by diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food poisoning - Consuming contaminated food can lead to vomiting, and the recurrent nature could be due to ongoing exposure to the contaminated food source.
- Motion sickness - For individuals prone to motion sickness, recurrent vomiting can occur with repeated exposure to travel by car, boat, plane, etc.
- Pregnancy - Morning sickness is a common symptom of early pregnancy, which can include recurrent vomiting.
- Gastroparesis - A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis - Although vomiting can be a symptom of appendicitis, it's crucial to consider this diagnosis due to the potential for severe complications if not promptly treated.
- Intestinal obstruction - This is a blockage that prevents the normal flow of the products of digestion, which can lead to severe vomiting and is a medical emergency.
- Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain and vomiting.
- Meningitis - Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause vomiting, especially in children.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome - A rare condition characterized by recurring episodes of severe vomiting, often with no apparent cause.
- Superior mesenteric artery syndrome - A rare condition where the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) is compressed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, leading to vomiting.
- Rumination syndrome - A condition where food is regurgitated and then chewed and swallowed again, often accompanied by vomiting.
- Chiari malformation - A structural defect in the cerebellum that controls balance, which can lead to vomiting among other symptoms, especially if there is an associated syrinx (fluid-filled cavity) in the spinal cord.