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What Causes Unilateral Numbness In The Torso?
Question: curious about surface skin numbness.. right side only.. torso...rib cage area and around to my back - not shingles
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness is usually due to peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy means abnormal function of the nerves, peripheral means the nerves outside of the brain or spinal cord.
Though shingles is a cause of peripheral neuropathy, there are other causes as well.
Some of these causes include: (1) liver or kidney disease
(2)trauma to the nerves, this can be as the nerves leave the spinal cord to go to the different parts of the body or somewhere along their path. In this case, the nerves in the thoracic part of the spine may be affected.
An x ray of the back in this area may be needed
(3)diabetes
(4)thyroid disease
(5)some autoimmune conditions such as lupus, ra
(6)low levels of vitamin b12 or folate
(7)abnormal levels of vitamin b6
(8)some neurological conditions such as ms, stroke
(9)exposure to toxins
(10)idiopathic- cause is not known
Since shingles has been ruled out then you may need to be assessed to determine if any of the other causes are possible.
This would involve physical examination and blood tests such as liver and kidney function, thyroid function tests, screen for diabetes, complete blood count and ESR (checks for inflammation in the body)
An x ray of the thoracic spine, as mentioned earlier, may be needed.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Numbness is usually due to peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy means abnormal function of the nerves, peripheral means the nerves outside of the brain or spinal cord.
Though shingles is a cause of peripheral neuropathy, there are other causes as well.
Some of these causes include: (1) liver or kidney disease
(2)trauma to the nerves, this can be as the nerves leave the spinal cord to go to the different parts of the body or somewhere along their path. In this case, the nerves in the thoracic part of the spine may be affected.
An x ray of the back in this area may be needed
(3)diabetes
(4)thyroid disease
(5)some autoimmune conditions such as lupus, ra
(6)low levels of vitamin b12 or folate
(7)abnormal levels of vitamin b6
(8)some neurological conditions such as ms, stroke
(9)exposure to toxins
(10)idiopathic- cause is not known
Since shingles has been ruled out then you may need to be assessed to determine if any of the other causes are possible.
This would involve physical examination and blood tests such as liver and kidney function, thyroid function tests, screen for diabetes, complete blood count and ESR (checks for inflammation in the body)
An x ray of the thoracic spine, as mentioned earlier, may be needed.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. its surface/skin layer only.. right rib area over surface of right stomach.. and small patch around the back. I can poke my skin and body in these areas and feel everything. Its more like when I just rub my hand over the surface, do I feel anything. with occasional prickles and senstivity.( for example, a seatbelt feels wierd sensitive to the skin there) there is no real pain involved and I feel energetic and great / normal otherwise. and it hasnt affected other areas.
Brief Answer:
typical , can be treated if bothersome
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes, your symptoms and signs are typical of neuropathy (symptoms related to abnormal function of the nerves).
It tends to affect a specific area.
If it is very bothersome, and in some cases, it can be, you should see your doctor for assessment.
If you wish to be thorough, your doctor can rule out other causes of neuropathy such as : (1) low vitamin b12 or folate
(2)thyroid disease
(3)diabetes
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA
(6)side effect of medication
(7)nerve conditions such as ms or stroke
IN some persons the exact cause is never known
Please feel free to ask anything else
typical , can be treated if bothersome
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes, your symptoms and signs are typical of neuropathy (symptoms related to abnormal function of the nerves).
It tends to affect a specific area.
If it is very bothersome, and in some cases, it can be, you should see your doctor for assessment.
If you wish to be thorough, your doctor can rule out other causes of neuropathy such as : (1) low vitamin b12 or folate
(2)thyroid disease
(3)diabetes
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA
(6)side effect of medication
(7)nerve conditions such as ms or stroke
IN some persons the exact cause is never known
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
will be following up with a dr again soon, first visit the dr. wasnt so concerned, said it wasnt near vital organs, etc.. but it does bother me. mostly just worried it isnt symptomatic of something very serious - dont think I had a stroke :) but MS is worrisome of course. thanks
Brief Answer:
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
No problem
Wishing you the best
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
No problem
Wishing you the best
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
last hopefully just over worrisome question.. nothing from you or other things Ive seen has pointed to growths or tumors causing this.. something under the surface of abdomen or rib pushing nerves etc (this is my imaginative worry) - - is that rare possibility or not likely based on the symptoms?
been told a spinal issue is possible.. but in your experience, would that cause numbness in legs or arms, rather than abdomen /rib area?
been told a spinal issue is possible.. but in your experience, would that cause numbness in legs or arms, rather than abdomen /rib area?
Brief Answer:
mass in the abdomen not likely
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
The abdomen consists of the skin, the underlying soft tissue and muscles and the organs beneath.
A mass in the skin or muscles or surrounding soft tissue would likely be visible or palpable (can be felt)
In terms of the spine, the areas affected would depend on the level of the spinal cord.
The nerves in the neck region supply the upper limb( arm, forearm , fingers) .
The nerves in the thorax (chest), supply some parts of the upper limb as well along with the chest and abdomen and parts of the buttocks
The nerves in the lower back supply the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet and genitalia
A mass in the spinal cord or other back of the back is commonly associated with back problems but as mentioned in the first response, trauma to the nerves can cause these symptoms. This may simply be arthritis for some persons.
An xray of the back was suggested in this response if you wanted to rule out the back as a cause of your symptoms
In medicine, however, sometimes the most obvious option is the cause of the symptoms though the opposite can sometimes be true.
In your case, with the history given, shingles related nerves symptoms, post herpetic neuralgia, is the most likely cause
If anything else is unclear, can let me know
mass in the abdomen not likely
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
The abdomen consists of the skin, the underlying soft tissue and muscles and the organs beneath.
A mass in the skin or muscles or surrounding soft tissue would likely be visible or palpable (can be felt)
In terms of the spine, the areas affected would depend on the level of the spinal cord.
The nerves in the neck region supply the upper limb( arm, forearm , fingers) .
The nerves in the thorax (chest), supply some parts of the upper limb as well along with the chest and abdomen and parts of the buttocks
The nerves in the lower back supply the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet and genitalia
A mass in the spinal cord or other back of the back is commonly associated with back problems but as mentioned in the first response, trauma to the nerves can cause these symptoms. This may simply be arthritis for some persons.
An xray of the back was suggested in this response if you wanted to rule out the back as a cause of your symptoms
In medicine, however, sometimes the most obvious option is the cause of the symptoms though the opposite can sometimes be true.
In your case, with the history given, shingles related nerves symptoms, post herpetic neuralgia, is the most likely cause
If anything else is unclear, can let me know
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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