A patient presents with upper abdominal discomfort and nausea after eating. What are the most likely differential diagnoses?

The correct answer highlights the importance of identifying conditions that typically result in upper abdominal discomfort and nausea, particularly after eating.

Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease are closely related and often present with similar symptoms. Gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining, which can lead to discomfort, especially after meals when the stomach is actively engaged in digestion and acid production. Symptoms can include nausea, bloating, and pain that may worsen after eating.

Peptic ulcer disease, which includes both gastric and duodenal ulcers, also presents with abdominal pain, commonly occurring after meals or on an empty stomach. The irritation caused by the ulcer in the stomach or duodenum can yield symptoms similar to those seen in gastritis. In the case of a patient experiencing upper abdominal discomfort post-meal, these two conditions are highly relevant differential diagnoses.

Other options include colitis and various small bowel diseases, which generally cause lower abdominal symptoms or systemic manifestations rather than isolated upper abdominal discomfort. Crohn’s disease can affect various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but it typically presents with a combination of symptoms, including diarrhea and weight loss, that are less specific to the upper abdomen and nausea after eating. Therefore, recognizing gastritis and peptic ulcer disease aligns well with the