Differential Diagnoses for Abdominal Pain
The following list presents potential causes for abdominal pain, categorized by priority and likelihood.
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Appendicitis: This condition is a common cause of acute abdominal pain, particularly in younger patients. The pain often starts near the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen. Appendicitis requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent rupture and peritonitis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to infection, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Especially in women, UTIs can cause lower abdominal pain, frequent urination, and dysuria.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon, leading to abdominal pain, usually on the lower left side, and changes in bowel habits.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to gallstones, causing right upper quadrant abdominal pain, especially after eating fatty foods.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm: A life-threatening condition where the aorta ruptures, causing severe abdominal and back pain.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, often presenting with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in women of childbearing age.
- Intestinal Obstruction: Blockage of the intestine, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: Insufficient blood flow to the intestines, leading to severe abdominal pain out of proportion to the physical examination findings.
- Pneumonia: Especially in the lower lobes, can cause referred abdominal pain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Pancreatic Cancer: A malignancy of the pancreas, which can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
- Primary Peritonitis: Infection of the peritoneum without an apparent source, more common in patients with cirrhosis or peritoneal dialysis.
- Hernias: Although not rare, certain types like internal hernias can cause abdominal pain and are less common.
- Abdominal Wall Pain: Pain originating from the abdominal wall itself, which can mimic visceral pain.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside of it, leading to chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms.