Alcoholic Neuropathy: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Orthotics using splints and braces should be explored to help with ambulation. Encourage patients to be active as tolerated to promote tissue oxygenation, mobility, and well-being. Females can be more susceptible than males to many of the negative consequences of alcohol use, such as nerve damage, as they may begin to see effects from a lower https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-neuropathy-symptoms-and-treatment/ amount of alcohol consumption. It is likely to get worse if the person continues to use alcohol or if nutritional problems are not corrected. Alcoholic neuropathy is usually not life threatening, but it can severely affect quality of life. Thus, treatment with TCAs may provide symptomatic relief in patients with alcoholic neuropathy.

Early diagnosis and treatment give you the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nerves. To better understand the neurological effects of alcohol, it helps to explore some of the more well-known pathologies, disorders, and diseases. The following sections provide a brief overview of several neurologic conditions related to alcohol consumption. The mechanism of direct damage of nerve fibers due to alcohol intoxication remains unclear. Activation of spinal cord microglia, mGlu5 spinal cord receptors, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis appear to be implicated in this process [92,93,94,95,96,97].

Food and water consumption; body mass variation; alcohol intake and its concentration in the blood

A nutritious diet; vitamin supplements, especially vitamins B1 and B12; and reduction of or abstinence from alcohol use is the only way to improve the patient’s PN by allowing nerves to slowly regenerate. Thiamine serves as an important coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism and neuron development. The lack of thiamine in the nervous system affects the cellular structure and can cause cell membrane damage and irregular ectopic cells. Other vitamin deficiencies seen with alcohol abuse include, but are not limited to, B-vitamins, folic acid, and vitamin-E. Poor absorption and low intake of these vitamins have clinical features of dermatitis, neuropathy, and anorexia. The symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are caused by the degeneration of nerve cells’ axons from the toxic effects of alcohol, the long fibers that transmit electrical signs from nerve to nerve, and a loss of myelin, the fatty coating that protects nerves.

Some tests can be performed by a doctor to rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. This is a severe and short-term neurologic disease that can be life threatening. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. alcohol neuropathy Physical therapy and orthopedic appliances (such as splints) may be needed to maintain muscle function and limb position. Having a nurse come to your house to suit your needs can relieve a lot of added stress on you to keep track of your treatment plan alone.

Causes of Alcoholic Neuropathy

People who drink heavily on a regular basis are at risk of developing this condition. Early alcoholic neuropathy, usually presenting as sensory symptoms in the extremities, is reversible if the patient stops drinking and establishes proper nutrition. However, more severe cases may be intractable, even with abstinence, and lead to lifelong impairment. Alcoholic neuropathy is progressive damage to peripheral nerves and, in extreme cases, the autonomic nervous system, through chronic, heavy alcohol use. Chronic heavy drinkers may be at risk for several different alcohol-related neurological issues.