Drinking And Nerve Damage

Today's post from healthline.com (see link below) may well be depressing for those who enjoy 'the good life'. You may already have battled smoking and over-eating but if you also drink too much, then the symptoms you may be feeling from the ensuing nerve damage, may convince you it's time for a change. Alcoholic neuropathy is unfortunately a growing problem in today's society; especially amongst the young, who definitely don't want to be suffering from the pain and other life-changing symptoms of neuropathy for the rest of their lives. This fairly extensive article looks at all aspects of alcoholic nerve damage and if after reading it, you don't want to change your habits, then you're exercising freedom of choice but be warned...neuropathy is irreversible!

The Aftereffects of Alcoholism: Alcoholic Neuropathy
Written by Suzanne Allen and Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Medically Reviewed by Tyler Walker, MD on 11 February 2016


What is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Highlights 
 
Alcoholic neuropathy occurs when peripheral nerves have been damaged by too much alcohol use.
The main symptom of alcohol neuropathy is pain and tingling in the limbs.
Vitamin supplements and prescription pain relievers are common treatment options for alcoholic neuropathy.

Alcohol can be toxic to nerve tissue. People who drink too much may start to feel pain and tingling in their limbs. This is known as alcoholic neuropathy. In people with alcoholic neuropathy, the peripheral nerves have been damaged by too much alcohol use. The peripheral nerves transmit signals between the body, the spinal cord, and the brain.

Thiamine, folate, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and vitamin E are all needed for proper nerve function. Drinking too much can alter levels of these nutrients and affect the spread of alcoholic neuropathy. Fortunately, abstaining from alcohol can help restore your nutritional health. This may improve your symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage. However, some alcohol-induced nerve damage is permanent.

Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy



Alcoholic neuropathy can affect both movement and sensation. Symptoms range from slight discomfort to major disability. Although the condition is not life threatening, it can decrease your quality of life. Some areas of the body affected by alcoholic neuropathy include:

Arms and Legs
numbness
tingling and burning
prickly sensations
muscle spasms and cramps
muscle weakness and atrophy
loss of muscle functioning
movement disorders
Urinary and Bowel
incontinence
constipation
diarrhea
problems starting urination
feeling that the bladder hasn’t been emptied fully
Other
sexual dysfunction
impotence
impaired speech
difficulty swallowing
heat intolerance, particularly following exercise
vomiting and nausea
dizziness or lightheadedness

Call your doctor if you have neuropathy symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment make it more likely that you will be able to recover.

Causes of Alcoholic Neuropathy



Your peripheral nerves help your body manage important sensory and motor functions including:
bowel and urinary elimination
walking
sexual arousal
arm and leg movement
speech

Alcoholic neuropathy is the result of damage to these nerves. The damage may be the direct result of long periods where you drank too much alcohol. Nutritional problems linked to alcohol use, such as vitamin deficiency, can also cause nerve damage.

Diagnosing Alcoholic Neuropathy



Your doctor will need to examine you to diagnose this condition. It is important to share any history of alcohol use with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will need to rule out other potential causes for your symptoms.

Tests, which may identify other potential causes of neuropathy, include:
nerve biopsy
nerve conduction tests
upper GI and small bowel series
neurological examination
electromyography
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
kidney, thyroid, and liver function tests
complete blood count (CBC)

Blood tests can also look for vitamin deficiencies that are linked to both nerve health and alcohol use. Nutrients your doctor might test for include:
niacin
thiamine
folate
vitamins B6 and B12
biotin and pantothenic acid
vitamins E and A

Treatment for Alcoholic Neuropathy



The most important thing you can do to treat this condition is to stop drinking. Treatment may first focus on problems with alcohol use. For some people, this may require inpatient rehab. Others may be able to stop drinking with outpatient therapy or social support.

Once alcohol use has been addressed, your doctor can focus on the neuropathy itself. Symptom management is important. Nerve damage can also make it difficult for you to carry out the functions of daily life. Nerve damage may even make injuries more likely.

Every person’s needs are different. Treatment for neuropathy may involve one, or many, different types of care. These include:

vitamin supplements to improve nerve health (folate, thiamine, niacin, and vitamins B6, B12, and E)
prescription pain relievers (tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants)
medication for people with problems urinating
physical therapy to help with muscle atrophy
orthopedic appliances to stabilize extremities
safety gear, such as stabilizing footwear, to prevent injuries
special stockings for your legs to prevent dizziness

Outlook of Alcoholic Neuropathy


Nerve damage from this condition is usually permanent. Your symptoms are likely to get worse if you don’t stop drinking. This could lead to disability, chronic pain, and damage to your arms and legs. However, if caught early enough, you can minimize the damage from alcoholic neuropathy. Avoiding alcohol and improving your diet can sometimes lead to a moderate to full recovery.

Preventing Alcoholic Neuropathy


You can avoid alcoholic neuropathy by: 
 
avoiding excessive drinking of alcohol
not drinking alcohol if you have symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy
seeking help if you are having trouble avoiding alcohol
eating a healthy and balanced diet
taking vitamin supplements if you have deficiencies (always talk to your doctor before taking supplements)

http://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/alcoholic-neuropathy#Overview1