What could lead to numbness in the upper left side of the abdomen?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Numbness in the upper left side of the abdomen is often caused by nerve-related issues. Common culprits include a herniated disc compressing spinal nerves, irritation or entrapment of abdominal wall nerves (such as intercostal or ilioinguinal nerves), and post-surgical nerve damage. Less commonly, conditions like shingles, diabetic neuropathy, or peripheral nerve disorders may also lead to numbness in this area.

Because numbness in the upper left abdomen can stem from many different sources—ranging from mild nerve irritation to conditions that require medical attention—it's important not to guess. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you better understand possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you on the most appropriate next steps, whether that's self-care, seeing a primary care doctor, or consulting a specialist.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing upper-left abdomen numbness Discover if upper-left abdominal numbness is serious Find out whether your numbness needs care See OTC options for abdominal numbness relief Find a doctor for abdominal nerve symptoms Understand home remedies for upper-left numbness Check likely causes of upper-left abdominal numbness

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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.

If you're experiencing numbness in your upper left abdomen, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool to better understand what might be causing it before speaking with a doctor. It's important to talk to a healthcare professional 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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