Alcoholic Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

The first step in treating alcoholic neuropathy is abstaining from alcohol, sometimes through rehab. Abstinence can prevent the progression and reoccurrence of neuropathy and, after a few months, improve symptoms in some people. The only way to prevent alcoholic neuropathy is not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Call for an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy.

• 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.
• In our study, we observed a blood concentration of 85 mg / dL in the AL group, associating the signs and symptoms of AN observed in this study with this pattern of human consumption (NIAAA, 2022).
• Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were also present with decreased mechanical threshold of C-fibres.
• There are many studies suggesting the role of MEK/ERK signaling in inflammatory pain in male [60–63] and female rats [64].
• American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
• If your drinking is out of your control, know that many treatment options are available.

Stereology is a technique that allows obtaining accurate information and unbiased estimates of the number and diameter of axons and myelin sheath from a small sample. Mayhew (1988) was the first to use the fractionation technique (Gundersen, 1986) to estimate the total number of myelinated axons in the tibial nerve of rats. It is a reliable method to assess alcohol induced tissue damage (Gundersen, 1986). These analyzes can contribute to a better understanding of the AN pathogenesis (Chopra and Twari, 2012). A review of the human literature implicates nutritional deficiencies, most often thiamine deficiency, that are common in alcoholic patients, as commonly accompanying complicating factors in the development of this neuropathy. Persons with alcoholism may consume smaller amounts of essential nutrients and vitamins and/or exhibit impaired gastrointestinal absorption of these nutrients secondary to the direct effects of alcohol.

What Is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

This test is commonly used in studies of neuropathic disorders, and it is easily replicable. FOB was performed immediately after last session of alcohol and before perfusion by two independent observers, who examined the reactivity of each animal to manipulation and stimuli, such as behavioral changes, motor activity, coordination, and sensory-motor reflex responses. Regarding the parasympathetic division of ANS, most of the studies are focused on the assessment of nerve conduction mainly in oculomotor alcohol neuropathy and vagus nerves; these include pupil cycle time (PCT) and cardiovascular reflex tests correspondingly [160]. Further, ECG changes and functions of the digestive tract (dyspeptic symptoms, stomach and gallbladder motility, orocecal transit time) can also be assessed [162, 165]. PCT seems to be valuable due to the correlation between prolongation of pupil oscillation and exacerbations of cardiovascular symptoms which presents the colinear involvement of parasympathetic division of ANS.

Alcohol enters the bloodstream from the digestive system within 5 minutes of consumption, and peak absorption is seen within 30 to 90 minutes. Patients who abuse alcohol tend to consume fewer calories and have poor absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. There are also direct toxic effects of alcohol and its metabolites on neurons affecting cellular cytoskeletons and demyelination of neurons. Alcoholic neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves become damaged as a result of years of heavy alcohol consumption. Symptoms include burning pain in the body, hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain), and allodynia (a condition in which normal stimulus, like a soft touch, produces pain).

Methylcobalamin for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy

Thiamine, folate, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and vitamin E are all needed for proper nerve function. Drinking too much can alter levels of these nutrients and affect the spread of alcoholic neuropathy. Fortunately, abstaining from alcohol can help restore your nutritional health. The prevalence of impairments in ANS in alcohol-dependent patients varies from 20 to 99% [160].