How to Deal with Alcoholic Neuropathy Symptoms

Alcoholic neuropathy symptoms are a real risk for those of us who have abused alcohol over a number of years. Permanent damage is inflicted on nerves and it is this that causes the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy.

What is alcoholic neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy symptoms are associated with long term alcohol abuse. There is a decrease in nerve function due to nerve damage and these changes will be permanent.

What are the causes of this type of neuropathy?

There is disagreement about the actual cause of the nerve damage. Some experts claim that it is due to excessive alcohol use while others put it down to the poor diet of many alcohol addicts. Some studies with rodents do seem to support the idea that it is alcohol that is causing the damage.

What are alcoholic neuropathy symptoms?

- Pins and needles

- Leg and feet ulcers

- Numbness

- Problems swallowing

- Strange sensations

- Prone to accidents

- Incontinence and other problems with urination

- Impotence

- Intolerance to heat

- Muscle weakness

- Cramps

How are alcoholic neuropathy symptoms treated?

There is no way to cure the condition but if the individual quits alcohol they can stop and further damage to the nerves. The aim of any treatment is to help the individual cope with the alcoholic neuropathy symptoms. The exact treatment will depend a lot on how much damage has been done to body and the symptoms that are being experienced. Your medical team might prescribe such things as;

- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

- Folic acid

- Physical therapy

- Splints to support movement and hold limbs in position

- Analgesia medication ( for pain and discomfort)

- Urinary catheter - some individuals will not be able to control their ability to pass urine so will require a tube passed into the bladder and to wear a bag to collect urine.

Those people who are experiencing alcoholic neuropathy symptoms may need to be extra careful to avoid accidents. Because of numbness they miss cuts on the body and so these simple wounds can become serious; this is how ulcers can develop. The main aim of any treatment will be to prevent any further problems.

Those of us who have had a strong addiction to alcohol need to be very aware of our risk of developing this condition. Recovery can allow for many of our problems to disappear but permanent damage to nerves just can't be repaired. The longer we allow the damage to occur the worse it will get. If you experience any alcoholic neuropathy symptoms you should seek medical advice.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000714.htm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/315159-overviewhttp://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/alcoholic_neuropathy/intro.htm