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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Could Lead to Numbness in the Upper Left Side of the Abdomen?

Numbness in the upper left side of the abdomen can be caused by nerve problems, such as issues with nerves affected by a herniated disc or irritation of abdominal wall nerves.

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Explanation

Numbness in a specific area like the upper left abdomen may happen when nerves do not work correctly. One possibility is irritation or damage to the nerves near the spine due to a herniated disc. For example, when a disc in the thoracic (middle back) area pushes out, it might press on nerves that send signals to the abdominal wall. This can create a feeling of numbness or tingling in that area. Another cause is a condition called ilioinguinal neuropathy. This occurs when the ilioinguinal nerve, which helps provide feeling in parts of the lower abdomen and groin, becomes irritated or damaged. Although the ilioinguinal nerve is usually linked to the lower area, nerve issues can sometimes be unpredictable and spread to nearby regions. It is important to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing numbness so they can check your nerves and spine and help decide the best steps to take.

(References)

  • Moffett AT, Hollander H, Berkenblit G, McArthur JC, Manesh R. Hindsight is 20/20. J Hosp Med. 2020 Apr 1;15(4):245-249. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3358. Epub 2020 Feb 11. PMID: 32118562; PMCID: PMC7850635.

  • Kohan L, McKenna C, Irwin A. Ilioinguinal Neuropathy. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020 Jan 20;24(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s11916-020-0833-6. PMID: 31960176.

  • Fitzpatrick J, Birch N, Botchu R. Abdominal wall pseudohernia - One secondary to a thoracic extraforaminal disc herniation and other due to thoracic paracentral disc protrusion. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2022 May 16;30:101897. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101897. PMID: 35646588; PMCID: PMC9133734.

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