You know some of the most common effects of long-term alcohol abuse – liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, kidney problems, cancers of the liver and stomach, brain damage, heart disease, osteoporosis; the list goes on. One lesser known condition that can result from excessive alcohol use is poisoning of nerve tissue, which is called alcoholic neuropathy. In people with alcoholic neuropathy, the peripheral nerves, which transmit signals between the body, the spinal cord, and the brain, have been damaged by too much alcohol use. The first indications are usually pain and tingling in the limbs.
No one is certain what causes alcoholic neuropathy, but there are a few theories. One is that the nerves are directly poisoned by the alcohol, and the other has to do with the poor nutrition that results from heavy drinking. Thiamine, folate, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and vitamin E are all needed for proper nerve function, and drinking too much can lower the levels of these nutrients in your system.
The symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy include:
- Numbness
- tingling and burning
- prickly sensations
- muscle spasms and cramps
- muscle weakness and atrophy
- loss of muscle functioning
- movement disorders
- incontinence
- constipation
- diarrhea
- problems starting urination
- feeling that the bladder hasn’t been emptied fully
- sexual dysfunction
- impotence
- impaired speech
- difficulty swallowing
- heat intolerance, particularly following exercise
- vomiting and nausea
- dizziness or lightheadedness
The most important thing you can do if you’re diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy is to stop drinking. Depending on the severity of your alcohol dependence, you may want to consider either inpatient rehab or outpatient therapy. After your drinking is under control, your doctor can start helping you to manage the symptoms. You might need to take supplements to increase levels of the vitamins and nutrients you’ve lost. If you have pain from your neuropathy, you might be prescribed painkillers (although be careful about what you take if you’re predisposed to addiction). If you have trouble urinating, there are medications that can help with that. You might also need physical therapy to regain control over your limbs, or orthopedic appliances or safety gear to stabilize your extremities and prevent injuries. People with lightheadedness or dizziness when standing up can try wearing compression stockings, adding more salt to their diet, and sleeping with their head elevated, in addition to taking medications.
Nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is usually permanent, although it’s not life threatening. However, if it’s caught early enough and you stop drinking completely, you may be able to make close to a full recovery. Otherwise your symptoms will continue to get worse and may result in chronic pain and disability.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.