Differential Diagnosis for Cough, GERD, and IBS
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with GERD and cough due to gastroesophageal reflux: This diagnosis is likely because the symptoms of cough, GERD, and IBS can be related to each other, with GERD potentially causing the cough and IBS being a separate but concurrent gastrointestinal issue.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with cough and IBS-like symptoms: GERD can cause cough and may also lead to symptoms similar to IBS, such as abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, due to the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.
- Functional Dyspepsia: This condition involves upper abdominal symptoms such as bloating, early satiety, and discomfort, which can overlap with GERD and IBS symptoms, and may also contribute to cough if there is associated gastroesophageal reflux.
- Asthma or Other Respiratory Conditions: Asthma and other respiratory conditions can cause cough and may also lead to symptoms of GERD and IBS, possibly due to the chronic cough increasing abdominal pressure and exacerbating reflux.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Esophageal Cancer: Although rare, esophageal cancer can present with symptoms of GERD and may also cause cough and weight loss. It's crucial to rule out this diagnosis, especially in older adults or those with a history of smoking or alcohol use.
- Pulmonary Embolism: A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden onset of cough and may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms if there is an underlying condition such as deep vein thrombosis causing bowel ischemia.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can present with symptoms similar to IBS but also have systemic manifestations, including potentially causing cough if there is an associated condition like bronchiectasis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: This condition involves an allergic inflammatory response in the esophagus and can cause symptoms of GERD, difficulty swallowing, and potentially cough.
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms similar to IBS and may also cause respiratory symptoms, including cough, in some cases.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: This autoimmune disorder can cause dryness in the eyes, mouth, and other areas, leading to symptoms that might mimic GERD and IBS, and can also be associated with interstitial lung disease, causing cough.