Alcohol And Neuropathy: The Dangers

Today's post from wcfoot.com (see link below) looks once more at alcoholic neuropathy; a condition that's much underestimated and not widely publicised. Yet in the drinking culture of today, there's a real chance that alcohol may seriously mess with your nervous system and cause problems that may well be permanent. This article will fill in the background information you need, whether you already have alcoholic neuropathy, or feel that you may be at risk. Worth a read for even moderate drinkers.

Alcoholic Neuropathy
South Florida Foot And Ankle Centers 27 Oct 2015

Alcoholism is an insidious disease that affects nearly 17.6 million people throughout the U.S. It’s a crippling illness that has devastating effects on the brain, liver, and kidneys. While most are aware of the irreversible damage that excessive alcohol consumption can cause their organs, fewer know that excessive drinking can also result in permanent nerve damage. When excess quantities of alcohol are consumed over numerous years, it can result in a painful and irreparable condition known as alcoholic neuropathy.
What is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves become damaged. An estimated 20 million Americans are living with neuropathy, many of whom show no symptoms. The pain associated with neuropathy ranges from very mild to debilitating. The condition worsens with time, and it’s imperative for high-risk individuals, such as those with diabetes or alcoholism, to receive regular testing for neuropathy. While the condition is irreversible, early treatment can prevent the spread of neuropathy and greatly minimize the pain and discomfort that is associated with the condition.

Neuropathy encompasses a wide range of potential complications, and the resulting complications are contingent on the specific nerves that are affected. Neuropathy can affect the sensory nerves, the motor nerves, and the autonomic nerves, each of which present different symptoms. Sensory nerve damage, often referred to as small fiber neuropathy, typically results in a tingling or numbness throughout the hands and feet. Damage to the motor nerves, which aid strength and mobility, will result in weakness in the extremities. The autonomic nerves, which control the function of bodily organs, can present a diverse array of symptoms when damaged, often including alterations in sweat production, blood pressure, and heart rate.

What Causes Alcoholic Neuropathy?

While the precise causes of alcoholic neuropathy are unknown, it’s believed that excessive alcohol consumption poisons the nerves in the body, resulting in permanent nerve damage. Another contributing factor could pertain to the malnourishment that often accompanies alcoholism. Severe alcoholics typically consume over half of their daily calories in alcohol. Since alcohol is composed of empty carbohydrates and provides no nutritional value to the body, this results in severe malnourishment in the alcoholic. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb and store key nutrients, thereby furthering the malnourishment and exacerbating the effects of nerve damage. 

Risk Factors of Alcoholic Neuropathy

Alcoholic neuropathy is caused by the excessive and prolonged consumption of alcoholic beverages. As such, those who drink in moderation are at no risk for alcohol-related nerve damage. Generally, individuals who drink excessively and have been drinking for ten or more years continuously, are at the greatest risk of nerve damage. Excessive drinking is defined as eight or more glasses of alcohol per week for women and 15 or more glasses of alcohol per week for men.

Alcoholic Neuropathy Symptoms

When caught early, the effects of alcoholic neuropathy can be easily treated to prevent future nerve damage and reduce associated pain. The common symptoms to watch for include:

• A “pin and needle” sensation in the extremities
• Pain or numbness in the arms and legs
• Muscle cramping and aching
• Weakness in the muscles
• Difficulty urinating or, conversely, urinary incontinence
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Impotence
• Low tolerance to heat

Less common symptoms include:

• Atrophy of the muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Limited mobility
• Impairment of speech, which becomes stammered or slurred
• Muscle spasms

Muscular degeneration typically begins in the legs and moves to the arms. Muscle degeneration occurs gradually yet is indicative of accelerated nerve damage. If any of the above symptoms are experienced, it’s essential to consult a physician immediately, as early treatment is critical to preventing further damage to the nerves. 

Testing for Neuropathy

Oftentimes, the symptoms of neuropathy are minimal, which results in people postponing necessary testing. While medical exams are sometimes uncomfortable, it’s imperative for those at risk of neuropathy to receive annual testing, as the condition can be effectively treated in its early stages. Testing for neuropathy generally consists of a standard physical, during which the physician will inquire about any symptoms that the patient may be experiencing. Blood work is conducted which will notify the physician of any nutritional deficiencies that put the patient at greater risk of developing neuropathy. The physician will test the functionality of the organs as well as perform a nerve biopsy to determine the existence of or extent of nerve damage. 

Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatments
Once a physician has diagnosed alcoholic neuropathy, their primary concern is to confront the alcoholism that led to it. By failing to address the root cause of the neuropathy, the patient will only exacerbate the condition. There are several successful treatment options available that will decrease the pain and discomfort of neuropathy while minimizing future nerve damage.

• Therapy: Physical therapy can provide an effective means of increasing muscle strength, while reducing cramping and spasms. Physical therapy is most effective when combined with other treatment methods, such as medication and surgery.

• Surgery: Nerve decompression surgery provides tremendous benefit to those with neuropathy. It significantly reduces pain and discomfort, while improving sensation and mobility. In severe cases, neuropathy can result in infections, ulcers, and amputations, the risk of which will be substantially minimized with surgery.

• Medication: While medication cannot prevent future nerve damage, it’s highly effective at minimizing the pain of the condition. The most commonly prescribed medications are selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), anti-inflammatory medication, and anti-seizure medication. For mild cases, topical creams containing capsaicin, a substance found in hot peppers, can reduce the discomfort of peripheral neuropathy.

Alcoholism severely impacts the health of the human body, which can result in the decline of kidney and liver function and cause permanent damage to the brain and nerves. Alcoholic neuropathy, when left untreated, can have serious ramifications including decreased sensation and mobility of the extremities, ulcers, infections, and amputations.

Alcoholics experience an elevated risk of nerve damage, so it’s important to receive routine examinations to catch the condition early. The podiatrists at South Florida Foot and Ankle Center understand neuropathy and can provide the right treatment for you to prevent further nerve damage. If you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with neuropathy, please contact us at (561) 793-6170 or schedule an appointment through our website.

http://wcfoot.com/foot-and-leg-pain/alcoholic-neuropathy/