Alcoholic neuropathy involves coasting caused by damage to nerves that results from long term excessive drinking of alcohol and is characterized by spontaneous burning pain, hyperalgesia and allodynia.
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.
Most patients with alcohol neuropathy initially present with symmetrical polyneuropathies in the lower distal extremities, however; heavier abuse can progress to distal upper extremity symptoms. The most common findings are sensory related and are varied to include pain, numbness, and paresthesias.
Damage to nerves from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. It is likely to get worse if the person continues to use alcohol or if nutritional problems are not corrected. Alcoholic neuropathy is usually not life-threatening, but it can severely affect quality of life.
Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, and alcohol abuse is a frequent cause of neuropathy. People suffering from alcoholic neuropathy may feel burning and tingling sensations in their feet, which may persist or may last from a few months to a few years.
Alcoholic neuropathy can be treated, and if it's caught early enough, it can be partially or fully reversed. The biggest thing you need to do when dealing with alcoholic neuropathy is to stop drinking. This will halt the damage being done to the nerves and allow them to begin regenerating themselves.
Damage to nerves from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent. It is likely to get worse if the person continues to use alcohol or if nutritional problems are not corrected. Alcoholic neuropathy is usually not life-threatening, but it can severely affect quality of life.
In the early stages of alcoholic neuropathy, patients complain of pain in the extremities, which may be severe and has been described as burning or 'like tearing flesh off the bones' and is characterized by spontaneous burning pain, hyperalgesia and allodynia [8].
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.
There is no cure for alcoholic neuropathy, and the nerve damage is usually permanent. This condition is typically not life-threatening. However, it will worsen with continued alcohol use.
Confirming if you have a neuropathy
a nerve conduction test (NCS), where small metal wires called electrodes are placed on your skin that release tiny electric shocks to stimulate your nerves; the speed and strength of the nerve signal is measured.
Generally, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may look abnormally dark or light. Your feet or hands may look red.
Several tests can be used to diagnose alcoholic neuropathy, and more than one may be necessary. They include: Blood chemistry test. This can give an indication of a person's overall health, including blood sugar levels and liver and kidney function.
Diabetes is the leading cause of polyneuropathy in the U.S. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve problems that can cause numb, tingling, or burning feet, one-sided bands or pain, and numbness and weakness on the trunk or pelvis.
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.
Avoid factors that may cause nerve damage, including repetitive motions, cramped positions that put pressure on nerves, exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking and overindulging in alcohol.
What do you mean by heavy drinking? For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.
Alcohol has a direct toxic effect on the nerve fibers in the legs and arms. Alcohol can cause the degeneration of the myelin insulation of the nerve fiber as the nerve dies back from the feet and hands toward the upper leg and arm.
Alcoholic myopathy, or skeletal muscle dysfunction, is a progressive neurological disease that affects 0.5% to 2.0% of people who misuse alcohol.
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.
Unfortunately, there is no way to rebuild the nerves that have been damaged by excessive alcohol consumption. The only cures for this disorder involve effectively managing the pain it causes. There are several ways this can be accomplished: Pain Medications.
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.