Introduction
Alcohol is becoming a way of life nowadays. Anything in excess can cause harm to the body. The main toxicity of consuming too much alcohol is related to nerve tissue. People who tend to consume too much alcohol may begin to experience pain and tingling sensation in their limbs. This is called alcoholic neuropathy. This is caused due to damage to the peripheral nerves by excessive alcohol use. The peripheral nerves are responsible for the transmission of signals between the body, the brain, and the spinal cord.
There are various vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the nerve. They are thiamine, niacin, folate, vitamins B6 and B12, and vitamin E. When a person drinks too much alcohol, the levels of these vitamins get altered. Thus, this leads to the spread of alcoholic neuropathy. If the person stops consuming alcohol, their nutritional health can be brought back to normal. Thus, there can be an improvement in the symptoms, and further nerve damage can be prevented.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Alcoholic neuropathy can cause problems with both movement and sensation in the body. The symptoms might be anything from minor discomfort to severe impairment. Although it is not life-threatening, the quality of life can be decreased in the individual.
Following Are the Parts of the Body That Can Be Affected by This Condition Along With the Symptoms:
1. Arms and Legs:
Spasms and cramps in the muscle, Numbness, Tingling, Burning sensation, Itching sensations, Muscle weakness, Movement disorders, Muscle atrophy, and Muscle functioning can be altered.
2. Urinary and Bowel:
Constipation, Bowel and urinary incontinence, Diarrhea or loose motions, Problems with urination and Bladder not being emptied fully.
3. Others:
Impotence, Sexual problems, Difficulty in swallowing, Speech disorders, Intolerance to heat, Vomiting, Nausea, Dizziness and Lightheadedness.
Beyond the numbness, tingling, and debilitating pain, it often accompanies sudden alcohol intolerance, rendering what was once a social indulgence into an unbearable trigger for worsening symptoms.
The eyes too might reflect the toll taken by excessive alcohol consumption, showcasing signs like redness, dryness, sometimes involuntary rapid eye movements, often referred to as "alcoholic eyes."
These manifestations are not just confined to physical discomfort; they seep into the nerves, causing a cascade of nerve-related side effects. This might include disruptions in autonomic functions, leading to issues like irregular heart rhythms, digestive disturbances and other difficulties regulating blood pressure, further complicating an individual's overall well-being.
What Does Alcoholic Neuropathy Feel Like?
Alcoholic neuropathy often manifests as a disconcerting array of sensations. Initially, it may start as a subtle tingling or numbness in the extremities, gradually spreading upward, almost like a constant, tingling vibration. As it progresses, it transforms into a discordant symphony of sensations sharp, shooting pains akin to needles pricking the skin, coupled with an unsettling burning sensation that seems to intensify over time. The muscles may feel weakened, unresponsive, making even simple movements a challenge. Coordination becomes a struggle, akin to trying to maneuver through fog, leading to stumbled and fumbled actions.
How Is Alcoholic Neuropathy Caused?
The Major Function of the Peripheral Nerves Is to Help the Body in Managing Important Sensory and Motor Functions as Follows:
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Walking.
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Elimination of bowel products and urine.
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Speech.
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Movements of the arms and legs.
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When these nerves get damaged, alcoholic neuropathy occurs. The damage can be a direct sequel of long periods of excessive alcohol consumption, or it can be indirectly related. The indirect correlation can be due to nutritional disorders occurring due to too much alcohol consumption.
How Can We Diagnose Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy?
When visiting the physician, they will ask various questions related to health complaints like signs and symptoms which are facing, the pattern of those symptoms, personal history including smoking and alcohol, amount and periods of alcohol consumption, family history, etc. Then a physical examination will be conducted. It is important to share alcohol habits of an individual truthfully with the physician.
1. The Following Tests May Be Performed to Confirm the Diagnosis of Neuropathy:
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Neurological examination in which the nerves will be examined.
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Nerve conduction tests.
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Electromyography to assess the muscles.
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Complete blood count (CBC) to check various cells of the blood.
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Liver, kidney, and thyroid function tests.
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Nerve biopsy.
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Blood tests can also be used to evaluate vitamin deficiencies, which are related to alcohol consumption and nerve health.
2. The Following Are the Nutrients That Physician May Assess:
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Niacin.
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Folate.
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Thiamine.
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Biotin and Pantothenic acid.
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Vitamins B6 and B12.
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Vitamin A.
Neurological Examination involves specific tests to evaluate nerve function, such as assessing the ability to feel light touch, temperature, vibration, and changes in position. Blood Tests may include checking levels of various substances, such as blood sugar, vitamin B12, folate, and other vitamins that could contribute to nerve damage. Since alcohol misuse can have an impact on liver health, liver function tests might also be carried out.
Tests called nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) monitor the electrical activity in muscles and nerves and can be used to assess the degree and kind of nerve injury. Sometimes, imaging tests like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans may be ordered to rule out other potential causes of neuropathy or to assess nerve damage.
How Can We Treat Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy?
The first and foremost important thing to do to manage this condition is to stop drinking alcohol. Initially, the doctor will focus on the alcohol-drinking habit and the signs and symptoms associated with alcohol usage. Counseling will be done, and some people may require rehabilitation therapy. Most people can benefit from outpatient therapy or social support.
Once the patient minimizes and stops alcohol usage, neuropathy management can be initiated. Management of the symptoms is most important. Nerve injuries can degrade the quality of life and may even lead to injuries as the person may not realize any external trauma in the affected area.
As Every Individual Is Different, the Therapy May Include Any One of the Following Depending on Various Patient Factors:
Medication for people having problems with urination. Vitamin supplements to improve the health of the nerve like thiamine, folate, niacin, and vitamins B6, B12, and E. Physical therapy to help manage muscle atrophy. Pain relievers based on prescription, like tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Special stockings for the legs to prevent any dizziness. Orthopedic appliances for stabilizing the extremities. Safety gear like stabilizing footwear which can help prevent injuries.
How Is the Prognosis of Alcoholic Neuropathy?
More commonly, nerve damage from this condition can be permanent. The symptoms may worsen if the person does not stop drinking alcohol. Also, this can progress to damage to the arms and legs, disability, and chronic pain. However, if the condition is diagnosed early enough, the damage caused due to alcoholic neuropathy can be minimized. Avoiding alcohol and improvement in the diet can sometimes help in obtaining a moderate to full recovery.
How Can We Prevent Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy?
The Following Can Be Done to Prevent Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy:
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Avoid drinking excessive alcohol.
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Following a healthy and balanced diet.
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Avoid alcohol if the person faces symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy.
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Seek professional help if people are not able to stop alcohol consumption or have issues with avoiding alcohol.
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Take vitamin supplements if deficiencies have been diagnosed. It is a must to consult a physician before taking any such supplements.
Conclusion
Alcoholic peripheral neuropathy is a clinical condition in which the nerves are damaged, leading to various movement and sensation disorders in alcoholics. To know more about this condition, people can consult a specialist online through online medical platforms.
