Differential Diagnosis for a 70-year-old with Early Satiety, Decreased Appetite, Bloating, and Mushy Stools
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or functional dyspepsia: These conditions are common in the elderly and can cause symptoms of early satiety, bloating, and changes in bowel habits due to altered gastrointestinal motility and sensitivity.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, IBS is a common condition that could explain the patient's symptoms.
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This condition, where bacteria overgrow in the small intestine, can lead to bloating, gas, and changes in stool consistency, fitting the patient's symptoms.
- Diverticulitis or diverticulosis: While more commonly associated with left lower quadrant pain, diverticular disease can cause changes in bowel habits and bloating.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Gastric cancer: Although less likely, gastric cancer can present with early satiety, weight loss, and changes in appetite, making it crucial not to miss, especially in an elderly patient.
- Pancreatic cancer: This can cause early satiety, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits due to pancreatic insufficiency or obstruction.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis): While less common in new onset at age 70, these conditions can present at any age and require timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Celiac disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten, which can cause malabsorption, bloating, and changes in stool consistency.
- Whipple's disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits.
- Carcinoid syndrome: A rare condition caused by a neuroendocrine tumor that can lead to diarrhea, flushing, and wheezing, among other symptoms, due to the secretion of serotonin and other substances.