Can an inguinal or hiatal hernia cause numbness of the skin of the chest, abdomen, and upper legs?

This is really two questions. I'm a 50-something man with both inguinal and hiatal hernias. The inguinal hernia has bothered me more than usual lately, and I know it needs to be repaired. The hiatal hernia just makes it difficult to swallow firmer foods like steak. Recently I noticed numbness of the skin around the inguinal hernia that has since spread to my chest, lower abdomen, and thighs. It only affects my skin, and I have full sensation on my backside, lower legs, and feet.

For years whenever I begin to eat, I begin violently sneezing. It can last several minutes before it stops. It doesn't seem like food allergies. It's as if chewing and/or swallowing solid food triggers some nerve that causes the sneezing. It doesn't happen when I'm just drinking. Could the hiatal hernia be irritating a nerve that triggers sneezing?

Any ideas would be helpful. I don't have insurance right now.

Hello.

Regarding your inguinal and hiatal hernias, it's advisable to seek medical attention, particularly if the inguinal hernia is causing increased discomfort. Inguinal hernias occur when part of the intestine or other tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Surgery is often recommended to repair the hernia and prevent potential complications.

Hiatal hernias involve the protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm, causing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing. While hiatal hernias can contribute to swallowing difficulties, it's unlikely that they would directly cause numbness or skin-related symptoms.

As for the sneezing episodes triggered by eating solid foods, it's challenging to determine the exact cause without a comprehensive evaluation. Sneezing is typically associated with irritation or stimulation of the nasal passages, such as due to allergies, irritants, or infections. It's less common for swallowing to directly trigger sneezing.

However, nerves in the throat and airways can be interconnected, and irritation in one area may potentially affect nearby nerves. It's conceivable that your hiatal hernia or another factor related to your swallowing difficulties could be indirectly irritating a nerve, leading to the sneezing episodes. .

Given that you don't currently have insurance, you may explore options such as community health clinics or low-cost healthcare providers that offer services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Additionally, some regions have programs that provide medical assistance or subsidized healthcare for individuals without insurance.

Good luck!