Chronic alcohol consumption can have deleterious effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. One of the most common adverse effects seen in patients with chronic alcohol use disorder is alcohol neuropathy. This commonly presents with pain, paresthesias, and ataxia in the distal lower extremities.

What Are the Causes of This Type of Nerve Damage?

• Additionally, overall physical health, liver function, and concurrent use of other substances can influence the onset and severity of neuropathic symptoms.
• However, considering their limited ability to regenerate, if the nerves are severely damaged or almost lost all their strength, their recovery may also be limited and may take longer time.
• By combining nutritional support, medication, rehabilitation therapies, and lifestyle modifications, you can work towards a better prognosis for alcoholic neuropathy.
• Alcohol is a toxin and it can have mild to severe effects on our body, depending on the severity of abuse.
• Diminished sensations of pain, touch and temperature changes increase the risk of injuries, infected wounds, burns and skin trauma.

Diagnosis usually involves a healthcare provider collecting a alcoholic neuropathy medical history, performing a medical and neurological exam, and performing blood and urine tests. Treatment options include steps to quit alcohol use and managing symptoms of the disease. This condition is typically not life-threatening, but the nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. But in most cases, alcoholic neuropathy takes several years or even decades to develop, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed. The goal of alcoholic neuropathy treatment is to improve quality of life by offering relief from symptoms.

• If left untreated, alcoholic neuropathy can become more severe and affect a person’s overall quality of life.
• Elevated levels of toxins in the body and inflammation caused by alcohol  may be responsible for harming the nerves and hindering their ability to function properly.
• Alcoholic neuropathy is a severe condition caused by excessive alcohol use.
• If a person is deprived of these nutrients or experiences conditions that cause nutritional or vitamin depletion, it increases their chances of alcoholic neuropathy.
• Regardless of the severity of your condition, it’s never too late to seek help.
• Recovery from alcoholic polyneuropathy is usually possible, but it requires a person to stop drinking alcohol.
• Additionally, a neurological exam will likely be performed, which assesses your ability to sense touch, pain, and temperature.

What treatment options are there for alcohol addiction?

Sensory symptoms of this condition involve changes in sensation, which may worsen at night and gradually spread to other parts of the body as the condition progresses. People can experience tingling, burning or numbness in the hands and feet or a heightened sensitivity to touch. Alcoholic neuropathy is a severe condition that can lead to pain, loss of some bodily functions, and loss of mobility. However, recognizing the symptoms and seeking medical attention early may minimize the impact of the condition. The challenges faced in this arena have provided her with a strong base of practice in assessment, treatment, and case management. Call for an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy.

How is a Diagnosis of Alcoholic Neuropathy Made?

Nerves that are part of the autonomic nervous system help to regulate heart rate, body temperature, respiration, and blood pressure. Polyneuropathy involves damage to more than one nerve at the same time, usually multiple nerves throughout the peripheral nervous system and all over the body. 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.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Alcoholic neuropathy is usually not life threatening, but it can severely affect quality of life. In addition, a support group can help you cope with the life changes you’re experiencing as a result of your condition. You might look for a support group specifically for alcoholic neuropathy or for people coping with chronic pain.

• Alcoholism also often leads to nutritional deficiencies which may impair nerve function.
• Learn more about this condition, including its symptoms, how it’s treated, and ways to cope.
• Alcoholic neuropathy can be permanent if the nerve damage is severe and alcohol intake continues.

Counseling and therapy help address the underlying issues related to alcohol abuse, such as addiction, emotional distress, and mental health problems. Psychological support aids in developing coping strategies, maintaining sobriety, and improving overall well-being. Regular check-ups allow for the adjustment of treatment plans based on the individual’s progress and changing needs.

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD or CRPS Type 1? How Common is it and What are its Triggers?

What is clear is that heavy alcohol use can speed up the onset of alcoholic neuropathy. It also causes individuals to lose sensitivity to pain or heat, and they might feel a tingling in their limbs or weakness in their muscles. Constant pain in the hands or feet is one of the most bothersome aspects of alcoholic neuropathy. As the condition progresses, the pain may vary in intensity, sometimes diminishing for months before worsening again. Reach out to a Recovery Advocate today to begin the process of healing from alcoholism https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/rappers-that-struggle-with-addiction/ and neuropathy.

This causes the muscles to become weakened and unable to function properly. It’s estimated that 25% to 66% of chronic alcohol users in the United States experience some form of neuropathy.2 Continuous drinkers are more likely to be affected than episodic drinkers. The medical community has recognized that addiction is a disease and some people are predisposed to it. As a result, it is usually necessary to get medical help to manage alcohol use disorder. People with a lengthy history of alcohol misuse might experience loss of balance, pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness after drinking alcohol.

Alcohol is a toxin, and if one drinks excessively, it can have adverse effects on the body. The main way alcohol can impact the body is by suppressing the nervous system. Many people struggle to stop abusing alcohol on their own, especially if they have a history of abusing it for a long enough period that they’re at risk for alcoholic neuropathy.

Urinary and Bowel Symptoms

If the patient continues to drink, the disease will progress and affect the internal organs, digestion, basic balance and coordination, and even the urinary tract and sexual function. Individuals with alcoholic neuropathy can make a partial or full recovery, depending on the extent and duration of their alcohol consumption. A person can improve their outlook by significantly reducing or stopping their alcohol intake and ensuring that they are receiving the right balance of nutrients. Treatment options for alcohol addiction include Drug rehabilitation detoxification, inpatient or outpatient rehab, therapy (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), support groups, and medication-assisted treatment. Long-term recovery often involves continued counseling and relapse prevention programs.