Long-term heavy alcohol use can result in a disorder called alcohol-related neuropathy. Alcohol’s harmful effects can harm your peripheral nerves, which are involved in movement and feeling. If you struggle to quit drinking or have signs of alcohol-related neuropathy, consult a healthcare provider. Alcoholic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy caused by alcohol-related nerve damage. Over time, excessive alcohol intake can destroy nerve cells, disrupting the communication between the brain, spinal cord, Substance abuse and limbs. One of the most common symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy is a persistent numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities, such as the hands and feet.
What is the Recovery Period in Alcoholic Neuropathy?
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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. People alcohol neuropathy in the fingertips who suffer from peptic ulcers or other digestive problems, which may require the use of antacids or proton-pump inhibitors can sometimes have greater risk of neuropathies. Use of antacids and other medicines for a longer period can affect the normal absorption of vitamins and nutrients, essential for nerve building. This can lead to deficiency of vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients, which can increase the risk of alcoholic neuropathy. According to the Medical News Today article titled “Understanding and treating alcoholic neuropathy” alcohol impedes the processing, transportation, and absorption of essential nutrients.
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While there is no cure for alcoholic neuropathy, the primary goal of treatment is to manage symptoms, prevent further nerve damage, and promote overall health and wellbeing. There is a 6% to 51% prevalence rate of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic adults. When you consume a lot of alcohol, the nerves become even more vulnerable to damage. According to clinical reports, muscle weakness can have a serious long-term effect. In severe alcohol-related neuropathy cases, muscle weakness appears as a result of heavy nerve damage. Thus, the nerves can’t receive messages, making it difficult for them to function properly.
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Alcoholism and Nerve Damage: The Takeaways
- With cessation of drinking and improved nutrition, symptoms may improve.
- The condition progresses very slowly for months to years and almost always will affect the lower limbs.
- Supplementing with vitamin B12, folate, vitamin E, and thiamine may be advised to address these deficits.
Toxin accumulation in the body and dietary deficiencies are the causes of alcoholic neuropathy. Alcohol causes serious deficiencies that impact many parts of the body, including the nerves, by reducing the absorption of minerals like magnesium, selenium, and vitamins B1 and B2,6. Studies show that alcoholic neuropathy could be the result of the direct toxic effect of alcohol or its metabolites and nutritional deficiencies (for example, thiamine deficiency). To prevent any additional nerve damage, drinkers must abstain from alcohol. If you are struggling with neuropathy, contact the best 90-day substance abuse treatment center for alcoholism in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. If you or a loved one are seeking recovery services that accept your medical insurance, reach out to Infinite Recovery today. Symptom onset and timing may be most helpful in narrowing the differential diagnosis. Location and distribution help distinguish focal, multifocal, and symmetrical patterns. Aggravating and remitting factors can be clues to exogenous causes, and a complete review of systems should be performed to evaluate for autonomic and vasomotor symptoms.
The peripheral nervous system sends information from the brain and spinal cord, also called the central nervous system, to the rest of the body through motor nerves. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system through sensory nerves. The psychological impact of chronic conditions such as alcoholic neuropathy should not be underestimated. Counseling or therapy can help us cope with the emotional and mental challenges of a lengthy recovery process. Alcoholic neuropathy requires a comprehensive treatment approach focused on both halting the condition’s progression and alleviating its symptoms. This dual strategy is essential to manage the condition effectively and improve our quality of life.
- Drinking a great deal of alcohol will harm your mental and physical wellness in several ways.
- Unfortunately, using just vitamin supplements is not enough to curb the symptoms of alcohol-dependent individuals.
- Excessive alcohol consumption drains these nutrient stores, causing deficiencies.
- Some people experience complete relief from their symptoms in a number of weeks or years and others may have to cope with the effects for the rest of their lives.
- Educate patients to maintain healthy lifestyle, eat healthy food with regular exercise, to follow prescribed medications and appropriate measures for reduced pain or sensations.
Alcohol-related neuropathy is a condition caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period. The toxic effects of alcohol may damage your peripheral nerves, which play a role in movement and sensation. It’s important to note that if the nerve damage is severe or has been going on for a long time, full recovery might not be possible. Even so, treatment can still slow the disease, help manage pain and improve how well your body functions. Rarely, procedural studies such as autonomic testing and nerve biopsies may be necessary to aid in the diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy. Autonomic testing may be indicated because dysfunction is challenging to identify on examination.