Nausea and vomiting related to non-esophageal and non-gastric diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting related to non-esophageal and gastric diseases of the gastrointestinal tract has a broad differential diagnosis. This can include infectious causes, mechanical obstruction of the small or large intestine, organic gastrointestinal diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, or systemic disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic scleroderma. Motility disorders, including enteric dysmotility and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, as well as functional GI disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, may also commonly present with nausea and vomiting. This chapter will focus on the different causes of nausea and vomiting, their underlying pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and diagnostic possibilities. As nausea and vomiting are commonly encountered in clinical practice, the reader will hopefully gain a framework to conceptualize and organize all of the diagnostic possibilities in the gastrointestinal tract outside of the esophagus and stomach that may lead to these symptoms.