Alcoholic Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Alcohol can have significant negative effects on the central nervoussystem (CNS). Drinking alcohol can also have negative effects on the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when someone who has been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time suddenly stops drinking or reduces their intake.

What are Typical Alcoholic Neuropathy Symptoms?

• Treatment will depend on the type, location, and severity of your symptoms.
• Because of the diverse effects of alcohol on the body, these patients should be managed by an interprofessional team.
• Alcoholic-related neuropathy (ALN) is a serious and irreversible condition that can lead to severe pain and physical disability.
• At Momentum Medical, our multidisciplinary team of experts is dedicated to helping individuals suffering from alcoholic neuropathy recover and maintain an improved quality of life.

Alcoholic neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves become damaged as a result of years of heavy alcohol consumption. Symptoms include burning pain in the body, hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain), and allodynia (a condition in which normal stimulus, like a soft touch, produces pain). Before an official diagnosis of alcoholic neuropathy, physicians will usually have blood tests done to rule out amphetamine addiction treatment any other issues that might be leading to neuropathic symptoms. This will also look for deficiencies in some of the nutrients listed above, like niacin, thiamine, and others.

History

This is a summary of independent research carried out at the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (Translational Neuroscience). The views alcohol neuropathy expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. People who struggle with alcoholism should try to eat a healthy and balanced diet, even if they don’t feel hungry. Doctors or family and friends can provide early intervention, which can help you avoid alcohol-related neurologic disease. In a 2019 study, researchers showed that quitting alcohol had a positive effect on most people’s mental well-being. Some tests can be performed by a doctor to rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms.

Related MedlinePlus Health Topics

The exact number of people affected by this condition is not known, but studies https://ecosoberhouse.com/ have shown that up to 66% of patients with chronic alcohol use disorder may have some form of the disease. The cause is multifactorial, from both nutritional deficiencies and alcohol metabolism’s direct toxic effects on neurons. Because of the diverse effects of alcohol on the body, these patients should be managed by an interprofessional team. The treatment rests on abstinence from alcohol and the replacement of key nutrients. Unfortunately, patient compliance is poor, and the condition often progresses, leading to poor quality of life. Alcoholic polyneuropathy is a neurological disorder in which peripheral nerves throughout the body malfunction simultaneously.

• Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms.
• Certain genetic variations can make some people more susceptible to nerve damage caused by alcohol.
• Abstinence can prevent the progression and recurrence of neuropathy and, after a few months, improve symptoms in some people.
• If you’re suffering from ALN, it means your peripheral nerves have been damaged, which can lead to dysfunction in sensory, motor, and autonomic processes.

Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. Alcoholic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by the toxic effect of alcohol on nerves. The damage from alcohol neuropathy can affect the nerves that control movement, senses, and organ function. This can result in a variety of symptoms that affect different areas of the body. This article provides an overview of alcoholic neuropathy, including symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.

• Many individuals with alcoholic neuropathy experience chronic pain, which can range from mild to severe.
• This condition is also referred to as “alcohol-related neuropathy” to help decrease the stigma surrounding the condition.
• Prevention efforts safeguard nerve health and contribute to overall physical and mental well-being.
• They get worse with more alcohol consumption, so if you stop drinking and seek professional medical attention, you can manage the symptoms of the disorder and potentially keep the nerve damage from worsening.

Treatment for Alcoholic Neuropathy

Seeking treatment for alcohol addiction is an essential aspect of managing ALN. If you are experiencing pain because of your condition, you may be prescribed pain medication. However, if you have a history of substance use disorder or chronic alcoholics, you may be suggested to use alternatives to regular pain medications, like massage or acupuncture. If it is confirmed that ALN has caused your symptoms, it’s essential to understand the impact of this diagnosis on your quality of life and the steps you can take to preserve nerve function. Other causes can lead to neuropathy besides alcohol, so your healthcare provider may order additional tests to confirm what has caused your symptoms. For instance, they may check your thyroid function, neurons, electrolyte levels, and heart health.

Symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy caused by drinking can include some of the following:

Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. The diagnostic process may involve neurological examination, blood tests, and electromyography. We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Many support systems and professional services are available in person or online to help you on your journey.

• This may be a reflection of the severity of the neuropathy in which motor nerve function is affected at a later stage.
• Only one study examined radial nerves which reported reduced SNAP 53.
• If you are experiencing pain because of your condition, you may be prescribed pain medication.
• To combat these deficiencies, supplementation with vitamin B12, folate, vitamin E, and thiamine may be recommended.

The Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy and Treatment Options

It is defined by axonal degeneration in neurons of both the sensory and motor systems and initially occurs at the distal ends of the longest axons in the body. This nerve damage causes an individual to experience pain and motor weakness, first in the feet and hands and then progressing centrally. Alcoholic polyneuropathy is caused primarily by chronic alcoholism; however, vitamin deficiencies are also known to contribute to its development. This disease typically occurs in chronic alcoholics who have some sort of nutritional deficiency. Treatment may involve nutritional supplementation, pain management, and abstaining from alcohol.

Symptoms may include numbness and tingling in the limbs, muscle weakness, and loss of mobility. A doctor may diagnose a person with alcoholic neuropathy, if alcohol use has damaged the peripheral nerves. People who drink heavily on a regular basis are at risk of developing this condition. The diagnosis of alcoholic neuropathy involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and possibly blood tests or nerve tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV). Alcohol can damage nerves directly, or it can render the body incapable of properly utilizing nutrients such as niacin and vitamin B12, which help regulate nerve function. Chronic, heavy alcohol use can adversely impact several organ systems throughout the body, including the central nervous system (CNS).