Symptoms & Treatment for Alcoholic Neuropathy

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. Densities of small myelinated fibres and unmyelinated fibres were more severely reduced than the density of large myelinated fibres, except in patients with a long history of neuropathic symptoms and marked axonal sprouting [2].

• Damage to the nerves leads to unusual sensations in the limbs, reduced mobility, and loss of some bodily functions.
• Benfotiamine, a synthetic derivative of vitamin B1, improves neuropathic pain and motor movement by increasing nerve conduction velocity.
• There are many different ways that peripheral neuropathy can happen, so this condition is common.
• This study is reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines [7].
• Dr. Vo specializes in the care of patients with peripheral neuropathy, nerve injury, back and neck pain, muscle weakness, radiculopathy, and headache.

How is peripheral neuropathy diagnosed?

Resulting disturbances in protein and lipid metabolism lead to undernourishment which adversely influences other metabolic pathways, including those influencing the function of the nervous system. The effects of peripheral neuropathy depend on the cause, the nerves it affects, your medical history, treatments you receive and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about what you can expect in your case. Alcohol abuse contributes to peripheral neuropathy development involving both somatic and autonomic nerves [154, 155].

Antidepressants for the alleviation of neuropathic pain symptoms

• It also includes nerves that travel from your spinal cord and brain to supply your face and the rest of your body.
• 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].
• If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
• Ignoring the condition can leave you walking with a limp or even avoiding walking all together, effectively limiting your activities.

Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms so you can connect patients with the resources they need. Treatment for alcoholism may include counseling, social support such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or medicines. Thus, there is a need to screen acetyl-L-carnitine in both preclinical and clinical models of alcoholic neuropathy. Thus, it is clear alcohol neuropathy stages that all the above pathways are potential targets for novel pharmacological agents for the treatment of alcoholic neuropathy. Other studies have shown a direct, negative effect from alcohol and its many metabolites on the nervous system. Axonal degeneration and demyelination of neurons were seen in both humans and lab mice receiving alcohol.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy

Patients may also have a deficiency in vitamin B12 (cobalamin), affecting the axon and causing muscle weakness, sensory disturbances, and anemia. Vitamin B9 (folic acid) levels tend to be decreased, reducing the density of small and large nerve fibers. Important in carbohydrate metabolism and neuron function, vitamin B3 (niacin) may also be decreased.

Allodynia—when pain is experienced by a stimulus that wouldn’t normally cause pain—may be present in small fiber neuropathy. For example, a patient experiences pain or other dysesthesias when putting on socks. Patients with small fiber neuropathy commonly report burning pain and may tell you, “My feet burn.” Patients may be hypersensitive to a stimulus (hyperesthesia). Patients may also experience numbness, restless legs syndrome, dry eyes and mouth, increased sweating, stomach problems, bladder control issues, skin discoloration, and cardiovascular symptoms.

How do I know if I have peripheral neuropathy?