Differential Diagnosis for Respiratory + GI Symptoms
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This condition is characterized by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and coughing, which can also trigger respiratory symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Influenza: A viral infection that can cause both respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose) and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
- Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can cause respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath) and gastrointestinal symptoms (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting) due to systemic illness.
- Asthma: A chronic respiratory condition that can cause wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, and may also trigger gastrointestinal symptoms like reflux or nausea due to medication side effects or stress.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pulmonary Embolism: A life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, causing sudden onset of respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain) and potentially gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting) due to systemic distress.
- Sepsis: A severe systemic infection that can cause both respiratory (shortness of breath, cough) and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and requires prompt recognition and treatment.
- Food Poisoning: A condition caused by consuming contaminated food, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and potentially respiratory symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath) due to systemic inflammation.
Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the esophagus due to an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and potentially respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing.
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, causing symptoms like chronic cough, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal issues like malabsorption or pancreatitis.
- Churg-Strauss Syndrome: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause both respiratory (asthma, cough) and gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea), as well as systemic symptoms like fever and weight loss.