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Alcoholic Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Recovery

A program that caters to co-occurring disorders ensures https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that the alcoholism is being treated and so are any other medical or mental health issues. Medical, mental health, and substance abuse providers all work together to form and carry out a treatment plan that helps to manage all disorders at the same time. A healthcare professional can offer support for people with alcohol use disorder. A doctor may also recommend treatments to manage neurological symptoms, such as pain relief medications, physical therapy, and mobility aids. Alcoholic neuropathy is a neurological disorder caused by excessive long-term alcohol consumption.

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Other areas of the body

Vitamins such as B1 (thiamine), B12, and folate are essential for nerve health and may support recovery, especially when combined with reducing or stopping alcohol intake. 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.

Symptoms Of Alcoholic Neuropathy

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. Medicines may be needed to treat pain or uncomfortable sensations due to nerve damage. They will be prescribed the smallest dose of medicine needed to reduce symptoms.

Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatment

Alcoholic neuropathy, also called alcohol-induced peripheral neuropathy, is nerve damage in the body caused by the toxic effects of alcohol. Electrical nerve stimulation sends a small electrical current what is alcoholism through the skin and nerves that can help with sensitivities and pain, making it an option for treatment. Alternative therapies like chiropractic care, body manipulation, acupuncture, meditation, and massage therapy can be helpful in managing pain and symptoms of alcoholic polyneuropathy. The main goal of a treatment program for alcoholic polyneuropathy is to improve quality of life and offer relief from symptoms.

Over a period of several months or years, these continuing abnormalities will likely develop into more severe symptoms that directly impacts one’s quality of life in a variety of ways. Treatment for alcoholic neuropathy first focuses on stopping or significantly reducing alcohol intake. Deficiencies in these nutrients can harm overall health and prevent nerves from functioning correctly. Some of the most common symptoms are numbness or tingling sensation of the extremities, pain or a burning sensation in the extremities, difficulty walking, difficulty urinating, and difficulty talking or swallowing. This article reviews alcoholic neuropathy and its symptoms, causes, and treatment. Thus, further preclinical and clinical studies are required to assess of this molecule in alcoholic neuropathy.

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) may be needed to assist patients with weak ankle dorsiflexion, eversion, and/or plantar flexion.
A healthcare professional can offer support for people with alcohol use disorder.
It’s also essential to seek treatment from a physician, as they possess the specialized knowledge to determine the best course of action.
Axonal degeneration and demyelination of neurons were seen in both humans and lab mice receiving alcohol.
Heavy and chronic drinking is also often tied to nutritional deficiencies.

Motor symptoms

You may also benefit from a support group to help you reduce your drinking or completely quit drinking alcohol. There are no medications that can help improve loss of sensation, strengthen muscle weakness, or assist with the coordination and balance problems alcoholic neuropathy symptoms caused by alcoholic neuropathy. However, some people notice an improvement in symptoms a few months after discontinuing alcohol intake. While peripheral neuropathy generally cannot be cured, there are several medical treatments that can be used to manage the pain of alcoholic neuropathy, aiding in your recovery. Yes, long-term excessive alcohol consumption may lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause pain in your feet. It is thought to be caused by the direct toxic effect of alcohol on the nerve cells.