What are the causes of abdominal numbness?
Many conditions can lead to numbness in the abdomen. Out of them, numerous are linked to the abdominal muscles and nerves [1].
Among the causes of numbness in the abdomen are:
- Surgery complications. An operation in the abdominal cavity can lead to nerve damage. It can result in numbness in the stomach area [1].
- Muscle damage or strain in the abdominal wall.
- Nerve compression or entrapment. It can happen, for example, in disc herniation.
- Herpes Zoster infection. This viral infection can affect a nerve in the abdomen, causing numbness.
- Diabetic neuropathy.
Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a frequent cause of abdominal wall pain due to trapped thoracic intercostal nerves between abdominal muscles.
Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve damage can occur during gynecologic surgeries or inguinal herniorrhaphy, resulting in decreased sensation in the groin and suprapubic region
Symptoms associated with abdominal numbness
Among the symptoms that can accompany abdominal numbness are:
- pain and discomfort,
- nausea and vomiting,
- bloating,
- fatigue,
- loss of appetite,
- fever,
- tingling in the abdomen.
When to see a doctor with abdominal numbness?
Abdominal numbness can occur in many conditions. However, in a few cases, it can indicate serious disorders that need medical attention.
One example of when to see a doctor is when abdominal numbness happens abruptly and with sharp pain [2].
Also, in other cases, it is advisable to see a doctor. For instance, when stomach numbness is accompanied by chest pain, fever, changes in vision, headaches, fainting, or shortness of breath [2].
Seek medical attention also when you find blood in your stool, or when you vomit blood and feel abdominal numbness [3].
Additionally, make an appointment with your doctor when you have abdominal numbness, abdominal swelling, or unexplained loss of weight [3].
Diagnosis of stomach numbness
The diagnosis of abdominal numbness starts with a thorough medical history and physical examination.
During the interview, the doctor will ask for information about the numbness. Important details for the diagnosis are the onset, duration, nature of the numbness, and any associated symptoms [4].
Imaging tests such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans can be used by the physician for further investigation [5, 6].
Imagination techniques allow the doctor to see what is inside the abdomen. For instance, CT can visualize inflammation, obstruction, or infection. Seeing the problems inside can help identify the potential cause of abdominal numbness [5, 6].
In case the doctor suspects a neurological problem, a consultation with the neurologist can be performed. During the consultation, the neurologist will do tests focusing on the nerves in the abdomen [7].
Treatment and management of abdominal numbness
The treatment and management of abdominal numbness involves therapy of the primary cause of the symptom. Depending on the cause, various strategies exist.
The only direct treatment of abdominal numbness is a surgical intervention. It can help in the alleviation of the numbness, for example, in vertebrae disc herniation.