Alcoholic Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy is a kind of peripheral neuropathy (or nerve damage) that involves the peripheral nervous system (the set of nerves). Long-term and heavy alcohol consumption brings about this condition.

Not only can alcohol directly harm the nerve cells, but heavy drinking may also lead to nutritional deficiencies. These include thiamine deficiency, which can, in turn, aggravate the problem. This leads to gradual nerve destruction and symptoms like pain, numbness, and mobility challenges.

It is not known how many people are affected by alcoholic neuropathy. Nonetheless, nerve damage can occur in as many as 66 percent of individuals with chronic alcohol use disorder. Therapy can help manage the condition and alleviate its symptoms, provided it is recognized early.

Causes of Alcoholic Neuropathy

Alcoholic neuropathy is the result of a combination of factors that interact with one another:

• Toxic impact of alcohol on the nerve cells: Chronic alcohol consumption leads to damage to the peripheral nerves as a result of impairing their functionality.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Alcohol impairs the absorption of essential nutrients, especially B vitamins, including thiamine (B1), folate, and vitamin B12. These vitamins are crucial for nerves to function normally, and their deficiency promotes rapid nerve loss.
• Malnutrition: A large proportion of people with heavy alcohol use disorder do not eat a balanced diet, and this may result in malnutrition. This causes further damage to nerve function, as the body lacks the necessary nutrients to repair itself.
• Chronic drinking: The longer one drinks alcohol regularly, the more likely they are to damage both the central nervous system and peripheral nerves, leading to peripheral neuropathy.

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Alcoholic Neuropathy Symptoms

Alcoholic neuropathy has symptoms that can be minor to severe and usually starts at the ends of the body, including the hands and feet. The untreated condition leads to the spread of the symptoms to other body organs as they deteriorate. The typical symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are:

• Pain: Early stages of alcoholic neuropathy include burning, sharp pain, or stabbing pain in the feet, hands, or legs.
• Numbness and Tingling: This is a condition where your arms and legs can feel pins and needles.
• Muscle Weakness: It can make it difficult to move or control the muscles, leading to muscle weakness, particularly in the legs and arms.
• Impairment of Balance and Coordination: Alcoholic neuropathy presents one of its significant symptoms by making it difficult to walk, stand, or maintain balance; this aspect can contribute to falls.
• Digestive Problems: Alcohol neuropathy may hamper the autonomic nervous system, which results in digestive problems, including constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty urinating.
• Sexual Dysfunction: The malfunction of the pelvic region nerve may lead to impotence or loss of sexual urge, due to nerve damage.
• Dizziness: Lightheadedness or dizziness upon rising or during early-morning hours, commonly caused by nerve impairment that interferes with the control of blood pressure.

If you have any of these, please visit a medical facility as soon as possible. Disease progression can be minimized through early detection and treatment.

Is Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatable?

Alcoholic neuropathy is a progressive disorder, yet, on many occasions, it can be brought under control, and its symptoms can even reverse with proper treatment. Abstinence is the most critical measure in the treatment for alcoholism and related nerve function issues. Most individuals improve their symptoms remarkably by stopping alcohol intake and eliminating vitamin deficiencies.

• Mild to Moderate Cases: When drinking stops and proper nutrients are received, symptoms can subside to a considerable extent, and there have been cases where nerves have also been restored.
• Severe cases: Nerve damage can be irreversible in the more developed cases of alcoholic neuropathy, with the recovery process being minimal. Nonetheless, even the treatment can help control symptoms and enhance quality of life.

What is the duration of alcoholic neuropathy?

How long does alcoholic neuropathy take to go away? Symptoms can improve over time or within a few days, depending on the magnitude of nerve damage and how long the problem has been going on. In mild ones, healing may occur within several months, following a healthy diet and alcohol abstinence.

In situations where the condition has lasted for many years, some symptoms may be irreversible. In acute cases, nerve damage can be permanent, but symptom treatment still improves quality of life.

Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatment

Alcoholic neuropathy is treated in two aspects: stopping alcohol consumption and correcting a lack of nutrients. The following are standard lines of treatment:

• Stop Drinking Alcohol: First and foremost, stop alcohol consumption right now. Ongoing alcohol intake will only make the condition worse.
• Vitamin Supplementation: Vitamin B supplementation (thiamine, B12, and folate) is also required to support nerve health. To refill the nutrient content, a doctor may recommend the use of supplements.
• Drug therapy: Pains and discomfort caused by nerve damage can be treated with medication, such as antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) or anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin).
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help enhance coordination, balance, and strength. It helps prevent muscle atrophy and improve mobility.
• Assistive Devices: Braces, canes, or special shoes can be prescribed depending on the condition and are to be used to support or prevent falls.
• Bladder and Bowel Management: In cases where nerve damage affects bladder or bowel management, medications or other treatments, such as catheterization, may be necessary.

Alcoholic Neuropathy Prevention

Avoidance of excessive alcohol use is the best preventative method of alcoholic neuropathy. It is vital to curb the issue once you start experiencing the symptoms of alcohol-related nerve damage. Some preventive measures are:

• Stop drinking: Immediately stop drinking alcohol in case of alcoholic neuropathy.
• Seek professional help: Inpatient or outpatient treatment for alcoholism, counseling, and support group programs like Alcoholics Anonymous will be crucial in your journey to stop alcohol once and for all.
• Eat healthy, balanced food: You must eat nutritious meals (specifically B vitamins) to help take care of the nerves.
• Take supplements: Review your nutritional deficiencies with your doctor and consider supplementing them as needed.

Other Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Alcoholic Neuropathy

Final Thoughts

Prolonged alcohol abuse may cause the perilous disease of alcoholic neuropathy, which is treatable at any age. Can alcohol neuropathy be cured? With proper medical guidance and treatment for alcoholism, many people can regain function and live symptom-free.

By stopping drinking, addressing current nutritional deficiencies, and receiving adequate care, people can manage their symptoms and lead better lives. Getting help is not something to be feared when you or your loved one is a victim of alcoholic neuropathy.

We Level Up Washington offers every customer personalized support to treat alcohol use disorder and reduce health issues. Contact us today and begin your recovery.

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