The pain is described as burning, cramp-like, or itching; also, a common symptom is a subjective feeling of cold in both feet [118,119,120,121,122,123]. The symptoms deteriorate through touch and pressure which intensify pain while standing or walking [124]. Further progression of ALN leads to the weakening of tendon reflexes or total areflexia and disturbed proprioception, which additionally impair the ability to walk [28, 113].

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

In a 2019 article, researchers explain that breaking down alcohol in the body produces a chemical that damages axons. Axons are the groups of nerve fibers that carry impulses between the brain and the nervous system. Some treatments can greatly reduce or even stop symptoms, but this varies. alcohol neuropathy stages Your healthcare provider is the best source of information on the outlook for your case and what you can do to help. The use of warm or hot footbaths is a potential hazard in alcoholic neuropathy, because such treatment may cause burns to a patient with an insensate extremity.

Role of nutritional status other than thiamine deficiency

• A healthcare provider is the best person to guide you in managing this condition.
• A healthcare professional can offer support for people with alcohol use disorder.
• Deficiencies in these nutrients can harm overall health and prevent nerves from functioning correctly.
• Besides, the gastrointestinal and urinary systems are also affected and include the presence of diarrhea, constipation, nausea, swallowing difficulties, abdominal bloating, and urinary retention.

The evidence of positive dynamics at peripheral and segmental nerve system level was supported by neurophysiological data. Benfotiamine was found to be beneficial in patients with alcoholic polyneuropathy [98]. Coasting is a major feature of alcoholic neuropathy, largely due to chronic alcohol abuse. Even though much research was done in this area, still we do not have a full understanding of the mechanism of alcoholic neuropathy. These include direct or indirect effects of alcohol metabolites, impaired axonal transport, suppressed excitatory nerve pathway activity, or imbalance in neurotransmitters.

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These findings constitute direct evidence that spinal PKC plays a substantial role in the development and maintenance of an ethanol-dependent neuropathic pain-like state in rats. Females, generally tend to drink less alcohol, are better abstainers, and present the smaller probability of the development of alcohol-related diseases [127, 128]. However, compared to males, the symptoms of excessive alcohol consumption https://ecosoberhouse.com/ manifest earlier in females [129, 130]. Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis may occur even a few years earlier in females compared to males [131]. The prevalence of alcoholic cardiomyopathy appears to be similar among males and females; however, males present a higher disease burden [132, 133]. Furthermore, females tend to be more vulnerable to the brain damage and neurotoxic effects of alcohol [134].

Can peripheral neuropathy be reversed?

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Clinical management of alcoholic neuropathy

inability to feel pain or an injury

• There is damage to the nerves due to the direct toxic effect of alcohol and the malnutrition induced by it.
• This can be achieved by complete alcohol abstinence and a balanced diet primarily supplemented by B6, B12, and E vitamins, as well as folate, thiamine, and niacin.
• A diet poor in nutrients or avoiding eating can make nutritional deficiencies worse.
• Residual neuropathy occurs even in patients who have practiced abstinence.