Differential Diagnosis for Generalized Abdominal Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is often the most common cause of chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, especially if the pain is associated with changes in bowel habits, bloating, or relief with defecation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Can cause upper abdominal pain or discomfort, especially after eating or at night, due to stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus.
- Peptic Ulcer Disease: Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum can cause generalized or localized abdominal pain, often related to eating or relieved by antacids.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and sometimes blood in the stool.
- Constipation: Severe constipation can lead to generalized abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although it typically presents with localized right lower quadrant pain, early or atypical presentations can cause generalized abdominal pain. Missing this diagnosis can lead to perforation and severe complications.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: A condition where blood flow to the intestines is blocked, leading to severe abdominal pain out of proportion to physical examination findings. It requires immediate medical attention.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe, persistent abdominal pain, often radiating to the back, and can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: In women of childbearing age, ectopic pregnancy can cause abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and can be life-threatening if ruptured.
- Perforated Viscus: A hole in the wall of the stomach or intestine can lead to peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal cavity, which is a medical emergency.
Rare Diagnoses
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A bulge in the main blood vessel that leads from the heart and passes through the abdomen, which can cause abdominal pain and is at risk of rupture.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, potentially cutting off blood flow and causing severe abdominal pain, more common in children but can occur in adults.
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption, often with a more insidious onset.
- Porphyrias: A group of rare genetic disorders that can cause acute episodes of severe abdominal pain, among other symptoms.