There’s no exact timeframe for how quickly alcohol-related neuropathy develops. However, stopping consuming alcohol sooner can help stop the progression of nerve damage. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chances of fully recovering. Alcohol also alters the function of the stomach, liver, and kidneys in ways that prevent the body from properly detoxifying waste material. This waste then builds up and harms many regions of the body, including the nerves.
Alcoholic polyneuropathy
Several treatment options and interventions can help a person recover from alcohol dependence. Once a person stops using alcohol, they can often experience recovery from symptoms, though in some cases, some damage may be permanent. Alcohol misuse can lead to neurological damage that can affect multiple areas of a person’s health and well-being. The best way to avoid the issue is to limit alcoholic consumption to 2 or fewer drinks per day for males and 1 or fewer for females. The single most important step is to stop drinking alcohol immediately. The most effective alcohol neuropathy treatment involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medical support, and symptom management strategies.
What is alcohol-related neurologic disease?
But with the proper resources to help, you are better set up for success with sobriety. Certain forms of exercise are more effective than others at alleviating symptoms of different neuropathies. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) plays an essential role in supporting mitochondria (the cell’s powerhouse) function through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or Alcoholics Anonymous healthcare provider. Recognizing and addressing these underlying causes, along with seeking professional help to overcome alcohol addiction, is critical in preventing further damage. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience.
- Damaged nerves can often regenerate at a pace of one millimeter per day or one inch per month.
- Symptoms include tingling or numbness in the extremities, muscle weakness, changes in gait, heightened sensitivity to touch, chronic pain, and in advanced cases, muscle atrophy and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- However, this seemingly innocuous sensation may be an early warning sign of a condition known as alcoholic neuropathy, a lesser-known but significant consequence of long-term alcohol use.
- People should note that while “alcoholic neuropathy” is the current medical term, some healthcare professionals are beginning to use the term “alcohol-related neuropathy” to decrease stigma surrounding the condition.
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Alcoholism and Alcoholic Neuropathy
The subgroup without thiamine deficiency, considered to be a pure form of alcoholic neuropathy, uniformly showed slowly progressive, sensory dominant symptoms. Superficial sensation, especially nociception, was predominantly impaired and painful symptoms were the primary complaint in most patients in this group. The histologic features of sural nerve biopsy specimens demonstrated small fibre predominant axonal loss as characteristic of the pure form of alcoholic neuropathy.
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The action of these abnormal proteins is explained by competition with normal proteins causing the damage to function and metabolism of the cell 22. A medical detox program followed by a comprehensive alcohol rehab program can manage alcoholism and help a person to get sober and stay that way. Many alcohol rehab programs help to manage co-occurring disorders, such as alcoholic polyneuropathy.
Clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy
This study found that the response to treatment depended upon the severity of neuropathy and whether there was severe cirrhosis. No patients with grade III (severe sensory impairment, absent alcohol neuropathy reflexes, foot drop, muscle wasting) neuropathy showed clinical improvement over the 4-week period, but 4/8 did show an improvement over 3–6 months. Amongst those who did not respond to thiamine, two patients with grade I neuropathy and one with grade II responded with the correction of low circulating nicotinic acid. One patient with grade I neuropathy responded with the correction of low pantothenic acid. One patient with grade III neuropathy responded with the correction of low circulating vitamin B6.
Understanding and treating alcoholic neuropathy
Exercise may also prevent the development of neuropathy because regular physical activity helps control blood sugar. Magnesium is a mineral involved in many bodily processes, including muscle and nerve function. Additional research is required to understand the role of B12 in neuropathy fully.
- It’s important that you know what is covered prior to attending a rehab.
- In agreement with this, one recent study has confirmed the efficacy of TCAs in central pain 116.
- In situations like these, the transplant will give the body a healthy environment in which to start recovering from the toxic environment it was in before the transplant.
- No amount of alcohol is safe to drink while pregnant, according to the CDC.
- It’s not completely clear why some people are more prone to this complication than others.
Lifestyle Quizzes
It also impacts the myelin, which is the fatty coating that protects the nerves. Not enough data exists to support GLA supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Supplementation is not recommended if you have elevated triglycerides because omega-6 fatty acids can further raise levels. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting CoQ10 to figure out your proper dosage.
More recent research, however, suggests that alcohol can directly damage nerves. The evidence points toward alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy being a form of toxic neuropathy, rather than nutritional neuropathy. Alcoholism also often results in other medical conditions, such as liver disease and diabetes.
