Deficiencies in B6 and B12, thiamine, folate, niacin, and vitamin E can make it worse. In addition, a support group can help you cope with the life changes you’re experiencing as a result of your condition. You might look for a support group specifically for alcoholic neuropathy or for people coping with chronic pain. You may also benefit from a support group to help you reduce your drinking or completely quit drinking alcohol. The diagnosis of alcoholic neuropathy involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and possibly blood tests or nerve tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV).
- They work to send signals throughout the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
- ALN further manifests as weakness and atrophy of muscles due to the damage of greater motor fibers and impaired neuromuscular transmission.
- Alcoholic neuropathy is progressive damage to peripheral nerves and, in extreme cases, the autonomic nervous system, through chronic, heavy alcohol use.
- The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system through sensory nerves.
Involvement of the sympatho-adrenal and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in alcoholic peripheral neuropathy
Symptoms can include numbness in hands and feet, digestive issues, and loss of balance due to loss of nerve function. As axons break down, the nerve fibers become less dense and cannot function properly. People who struggle with alcoholism should try to eat a healthy and balanced diet, even if they don’t feel hungry.
Alcoholic Neuropathy Prognosis
Neuropathy has multifactorial causes, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to the toxic effects that alcohol has on neurons. Because of the many effects that alcohol has on the organism, it is important that patients with alcoholic neuropathy be managed by a team of inter-professionals in the health industry. However, there is poor compliance on the part of patients, resulting in the progression of the condition and ultimately, poor quality of life.
Causes of alcoholic neuropathy
Alcoholic neuropathy is caused by nutritional deficiency, as well as toxins that build up in the body. Alcohol decreases the absorption of nutrients such as magnesium, selenium, and vitamins B1 and B2, causing significant deficits that affect many areas of the body, including the nerves. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study of patients with NAION found a significantly elevated risk of stroke compared with matched controls, independently of comorbidities.
Role of nutritional status other than thiamine deficiency
The reason for better results in the benfotiamine alone group than in the Milgamma-N group, despite is alcoholic neuropathy dangerous the fact that the benfotiamine dosage was equivalent, is not completely understood. The authors hypothesized that vitamins B6 and B12 might have competed with the effects of vitamin B1 in the Milgamma-N group 97. In another small Russian study, 14 chronic alcoholic men with polyneuropathy were given 450 mg benfotiamine daily for 2 weeks, followed by 300 mg daily for an additional 4 weeks.
- However, some people notice an improvement in symptoms a few months after discontinuing alcohol intake.
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when someone who has been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time suddenly stops drinking or reduces their intake.
- It was shown that patients with liver cirrhosis (regardless of its etiology) present dysfunctions in ANS, primarily within the vagus nerve 170.
- These relationships make chronic alcoholism a risk factor for thiamine deficiency.
The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls coordination and balance. These symptoms can occur in addition to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. When significantly limiting or stopping alcohol consumption, receiving ongoing support is essential.
Alcohol-Related Neurologic Disease
Alcohol abuse contributes to peripheral neuropathy development involving both somatic and autonomic nerves 154, 155. However, impairments of autonomic functions are scarcer and less intensified, and, usually, clinical symptoms are delayed 156. According to many studies, alcohol-induced autonomic neuropathy (AAN) not only leads to potential damage to internal organs but also increases the mortality rate of patients 157, 158. It was observed that abstinence may lead to the regression of several symptoms of AAN 159. Alcohol abuse causes a wide range of disorders that affect the nervous system.