Physical therapy and orthopedic appliances (such as splints) may be needed to maintain muscle function and limb position. Medicines may be needed to treat pain or uncomfortable sensations. People with alcoholic neuropathy have alcohol use problems.
Alcoholic Neuropathy
mostly in the legs and feet. Treatment for alcohol-involved neuropathy involves medication to alleviate pain symptoms and is geared toward preventing the progression of nerve damage through alcohol abstinence, nutritional supplementation, and rehabilitation.
Alcoholic neuropathy is a serious disorder that is difficult to completely reverse or cure. If the disorder is caught in the very early stages and if action is taken quickly, then reversal is still possible. But in most cases, the disorder can be managed with medications to decrease the symptoms as much as possible.
B Vitamins
Vitamins B-1, B-6, and B-12 have been found to be especially beneficial for treating neuropathy. Vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, helps to reduce pain and inflammation and vitamin B-6 preserves the covering on nerve endings.
It's fast-acting, efficient, and leads to improvement in patient recovery within just a couple of sessions. The required doses of Vitamin B12 for neuropathy in adults are: 1000mcg daily over five days. 1000mcg weekly over five weeks.
The exact cause of alcoholic neuropathy is unknown. It likely includes both a direct poisoning of the nerve by the alcohol and the effect of poor nutrition associated with alcoholism. Up to half of long-term heavy alcohol users develop this condition.
Drinking is the second-leading cause of neuropathy, so the elimination of alcohol is the best thing you can do for yourself. If you abstain from alcohol, your neuropathy shouldn't get any worse.
An exclusive and effective treatment for neuropathy in the legs and feet, The Combination Electro-analgesia Therapy, (CET), has been extremely effective in relieving pain and discomfort, reversing your numbness, and restoring your sensation while improving your acuity, balance, and strength in your hands and feet.
Age. Most patients diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy are aged 40-60 years. As mentioned previously, development of alcoholic neuropathy is associated with the duration and extent of total lifetime consumption of alcohol.
It usually takes years to reach this point, although heavy binge drinking can accelerate the onset of alcoholic neuropathy.
It is estimated that in the United States 25% to 66% of chronic alcohol users experience some form of neuropathy; however, the true incidence in the general population is unknown.
If the condition has progressed to the fourth or fifth stage, the nerve damage at that point is all but permanent and is nearly impossible work with. If caught early enough, the symptoms can be managed to nearly nothing within 6-12 months depending on how severe the nerve damage is.
Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy (ALN) is a potential complication of chronic alcoholism that results in sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to significant disability. Patients with ALN sustain repeated injury, infection, and falls that lead to major head trauma and permanent disablement.
Alcoholic polyneuropathy. Other names. Alcohol leg. An illustration of a neuron's structure. In alcoholic polyneuropathy myelin loss and axonal degeneration occurs.
Drink lots of water
Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day.
Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems. Warm/Cool Baths and Showers - Excellent de-stressors and can help with reducing pain.
Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may lessen or go away over time, but in some cases they never go away. These are some ways to learn to live with it: Use pain medicines as your doctor prescribes them. Most pain medicines work best if they are taken before the pain gets bad.
Neuropathy is another word for nerve damage and it can be associated with several conditions including peripheral arterial disease and diabetes. Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which can cause nerve damage when consumed in excess. Symptoms of neuropathy include: Loss of sensation or numbness in the feet and toes.
Can compression socks make neuropathy worse? Compression socks may help neuropathy symptoms, but they may not be suitable for some people. Those with peripheral vascular disease shouldn't wear these socks as the pressure can aggravate the ischemic disease.
It is best to avoid alcohol if you are living with neuropathy. caffeine – Caffeine can irritate the nerves and make neuropathy symptoms worse.
Diagnosing Alcoholic Neuropathy
Usually, people with alcoholic neuropathy have diminished reflexes and diminished sensation. If this condition is advanced, weakness may be present too. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV): EMG and NCV tests examine nerve function in detail.
Alcoholic neuropathy may also progress to painful and hypersensitive feelings in the hands, feet, and limbs. A light touch may hurt, or you may experience a constant feeling of pins and needles. This kind of pain is difficult to bear, but for those who have been drinking in excess, it can be a chronic condition.