Alcoholic Neuropathy: Does Alcohol Cause Peripheral Nerve Damage?

Research shows that most patients with alcoholic neuropathy displayed poor sensory features, numbness, and impaired sensation of vibrations. Chronic heavy drinkers may be at risk for several different alcohol-related neurological issues. What’s known is that symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can affect various systems throughout the body.

• By scanning the reference lists of included studies, an additional 4 papers were identified.
• Resulting disturbances in protein and lipid metabolism lead to undernourishment which adversely influences other metabolic pathways, including those influencing the function of the nervous system.
• Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms.
• Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis may occur even a few years earlier in females compared to males [131].
• However, when there is an illness affecting the kidneys, it becomes difficult to filter out all those chemicals.

Doctors or family and friends can provide early intervention, which can help you avoid alcohol-related neurologic disease. Fetal alcohol syndrome can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth. Cerebellar degeneration caused by alcohol occurs when neurons in the cerebellum deteriorate and die.

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But with the proper resources to help you, you are better set up for success with sobriety. Nerve damage typically affects the axons, which are the projections that send electrical signals from one nerve to another, as well as the myelin, which is the fatty coating that protects the nerves. Early diagnosis and treatment https://ecosoberhouse.com/ make it more likely that you will be able to recover. The intestines, stomach and the bladder are controlled by autonomic nerves. When these nerves are weakened, the results are sexual dysfunction and impaired bowel and bladder function. Is a private faith-based and gender-separate rehab center located in Azle, Texas.

The available data addressing the role of hepatic dysfunction is presently inconclusive. It is possible that hepatic dysfunction and alcoholic toxicity each cause neuropathy independently, and that there is frequently overlap between the two. It may also be that comorbid hepatic dysfunction is a risk factor for alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy. Further studies are required to develop a greater understanding of the interaction these entities. Sometimes alcohol causes such severe damage to the body that a liver transplant may be necessary.

Alcohol-Induced Causes Of Neuropathy

The most important thing you can do to treat this condition is to stop drinking. Others may be able to stop drinking with outpatient therapy or social support. People diagnosed with alcohol neuropathy can alleviate the current symptoms and also prevent future nerve deterioration by stopping drinking. The disease was observed to start in the lower limbs and extend upward affecting the hands and arms. The main symptom was a pain, which was excruciating at times, but which could wax and wane.

Not every person with a current or past history of alcohol use develops serious nerve damage as a result of their drinking. There are certain factors some people may possess or be at risk for that can make them more likely to develop alcohol-related neuropathy. The signs and symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy can vary based on the person, alcohol neuropathy their medical history, and the bodily functions most impacted by their alcohol use. In general, most of the aforementioned diseases are the result of chronic excessive alcohol use. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding excessive alcohol use can help prevent or stop the progression of many alcohol-induced neurological diseases.