Differential Diagnosis for Vomiting, Numbness in Hands and Face
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis with associated electrolyte imbalance: This condition can cause vomiting, leading to electrolyte imbalances (such as hyponatremia or hypokalemia) that may result in numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and face due to nerve dysfunction.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine with aura: Migraines can cause vomiting and neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands and face, especially if the migraine includes an aura phase.
- Multiple sclerosis: This chronic autoimmune disease can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including numbness in the hands and face, and less commonly, episodes of vomiting.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to neurological symptoms including numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, a stroke or TIA can present with sudden onset of numbness in the face and hands, and vomiting may occur due to increased intracranial pressure or brainstem involvement.
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause rapid-onset muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling, often starting in the hands and feet, and can be accompanied by vomiting due to autonomic dysfunction.
- Brain tumor: A tumor in the brain can cause increased intracranial pressure, leading to vomiting, and depending on its location, can cause numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and face.
Rare Diagnoses
- Peripheral neuropathy due to rare causes (e.g., amyloidosis, porphyria): These conditions can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and face, and may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, though they are much less common.
- Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia): Some neurodegenerative diseases can present with a combination of neurological symptoms including numbness and vomiting, though these are rare and typically have other distinctive features.