Experts believe that alcohol has direct toxic effects on nerves, and repeated excessive consumption harms nerve cells. They also think that alcoholic neuropathy is caused by the nutritional deficiencies that often accompany alcoholism. When the liver and kidneys process alcohol, they also remove a lot of vitamins and other nutrients needed for nerve health along with it. Thiamine, also known as the antiberiberi factor or antineuritic factor, is an essential vitamin Halfway house in the metabolism of pyruvate and has a role in the health of the peripheral nervous system. Thiamine deficiency is commonly found in alcoholic patients, due to decreased absorption and hepatic depletion. Other studies have linked the direct toxic effects of alcohol on peripheral nerves with development of neuropathy.
- Research suggests that up to 66% of people with AUD have some type of alcohol-related neuropathy.
- Motor nerves are the nerves responsible for all voluntary skeletal and somatic movement such as moving the leg or arm.
- A commitment to living a healthy lifestyle can bring significant improvement, and in some cases, a full recovery.
- Saturated fat, prevalent in fatty meats and dairy products, can cause inflammation and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Conditions That May Mimic Alcoholic Neuropathy
Seeking treatment for alcohol addiction is an essential aspect of managing ALN. It’s key to find a treatment center equipped to address co-occurring disorders, manage symptoms effectively, and provide tailored care for alcohol use disorder, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive approach to your well-being. Epidermal nerve fibre density was assessed in two studies, both of which supported decremental nerve fibre density distally in the lower limb, anecdotally supportive of a length-dependent pattern 53, 63. The sometimes-conflicting findings between biopsy findings may be representative of the complex interplay of pathological factors in alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy and is indicative of the need for further research in this area.
Treatment for alcoholic neuropathy
A combination of nutritional deficiency and direct toxicity is likely involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholic neuropathy, and these effects may be additive. 18, 19 Alcohol also has been implicated in the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and various cranial neuropathies, including optic neuropathy and vagus neuropathy. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of protein kinases consisting of approximately 10 isozymes. PKC is involved in receptor desensitization, modulating membrane structure events, regulating transcription, mediating immune responses, regulating cell growth and in learning and memory. These functions are achieved by PKC mediated phosphorylation of other proteins 16. Apart from above function, over-activation of epsilon form of protein kinase C (PKCε) is known to be involved in mediating neuropathic pain, such as pain induced by cancer chemotherapy (vincristine) 56 and diabetes 57.
Complete Blood Count
In vivo study on rats showed impaired retrograde axonal transport 107, 108. Thus, ALN might be induced by the combination of the effects of the direct activity of alcohol metabolites on the nerve fibers along with nutritional deficiencies primarily in a form of thiamine deficiency. In one clinical study, aimed at studying distinct clinicopathologic features of alcoholic neuropathy, 64 patients were assessed. In 47 of these patients sural nerve biopsy was performed, with discrimination in terms of their thiamine status 3. The ethanol consumption of these patients was more than 100 g day–1 alcoholic neuropathy for more than 10 years. The subgroup without thiamine deficiency consisted of 36 patients, while the subgroup with thiamine deficiency consisted of 28 patients.
Clinical features of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy develop slowly, extending over a period of months and include abnormalities in sensory, motor, autonomic and gait functions. Painful sensations with or without burning quality represent the initial and major symptom of alcoholic neuropathy 2, 4. Later on, weakness appears in the extremities, involving mainly the distal parts. Progressively, the sensory and motor symptoms and signs extend proximally into the arms and legs and finally the gait may become impaired 11. Progression of symptoms is usually gradual, continuing over months or years 2, 4. Electrophysiologic and pathologic findings mainly indicate axonal neuropathy with reduced nerve fibre densities.
While there’s no question that alcohol addiction does cause neuropathy, the precise mechanisms at play during this condition’s development aren’t all that well understood. An electromyography involves putting needles into the skin and muscles. It can also show them if nerve cells aren’t working the way they should be. Sensory symptoms, caused by damage to sensory nerves, usually begin in the feet before progressing to the legs, hands, and arms. Usually, when sensory function becomes impaired above the ankle, they will also spread into the hands, a distribution known as the stocking-and-glove pattern.5 Symptoms also often develop symmetrically.
She enjoys playing board games and having home karaoke nights with her friends. Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Sadly, there are no medical treatments for counteracting muscle waste, the loss of sensation, or issues with balance; however, many see improvements on all three fronts by getting sober. If you’re concerned that you might have developed alcoholic neuropathy, your first port of call should be to contact a doctor and book yourself in for a check-up ASAP.
Clinical presentation
The most notable common thread for nearly all sufferers is that the sooner you seek help for your https://ecosoberhouse.com/ neuropathy from alcohol dependence, the less the overall damage is likely to be. This makes the effects of alcohol withdrawal a small price to pay for relief. Having said that, the first thing almost any doctor will tell you is that you need to stop drinking. If your alcohol intake has gotten so bad that it’s actually physically damaging your nerve cells, then continuing to add any amount of alcohol is only going to make the problem worse.
How Long Does Alcoholic Neuropathy Last?
Motor nerves are the nerves responsible for all voluntary skeletal and somatic movement such as moving the leg or arm. The diagnostic process may involve neurological examination, blood tests, and electromyography. We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.