Alcoholic Neuropathy - 12 Steps to a Better Life

Many people enjoy the social aspects of drinking, but patterned consumption can quickly get out of hand. If allowed to continue unchecked, it can lead to long term excessive consumption. This, in turn, can result in a wide array of other health concerns, one being alcoholic neuropathy.

Alcoholic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by the prolonged and excessive use of alcohol. It can be characterized by an awareness of a feeling of tingling, prickling, or needles and pins, usually beginning in the hands and feet. “Excessive” and “prolonged” may be somewhat subjective terms, but research indicates that if you have consumed excess alcohol for 10 years, you are at risk for nerve damage. In addition to the needles and pins, other symptoms may include a general achiness or cramping, nausea, incontinence or difficulty urinating. Men may experience loss of sexual function. 

When the sensation of numbing in the feet occurs, it can lead to loss of motor control, falling, and injury. Symptoms are more prevalent in the legs than in the arms, and it comes on gradually and is progressive.

Treatment begins by removing or treating the cause, which in this case is alcohol or alcoholism. It is suggested the patient enroll in a program that can assist in removing the exacerbating factor and help with behavior modification.  A 12 step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous is recommended. Since poor nutrition usually goes hand in hand with excessive intake of alcohol, the patient must also focus on better, more healthful nutrition, especially with regard to the B vitamins.

Once drinking as a factor is eliminated, the symptoms may lessen, but long term prognosis does not suggest the reversal of nerve damage. Loss of motor function, severe pain, and possible disability can occur.  Alcoholic neuropathy itself is probably not a mortality issue, but it definitely impacts life quality.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing alcoholic neuropathy and would like to speak to Dr. Bowman about the long term effects and treatment options, please call our office to set up an appointment.  

Sources:
www.alcoholism-solutions.com/alcoholic-neuropathy
www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/315159-overview
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001733

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