How To Repair Nerve Damage From Alcohol
How much does it cost to learn more to see if I’m a good candidate for Fox Integrated Healthcare peripheral neuropathy care? If we recommend an examination, it is based on your insurance or we offer affordable self pay options as well. Up to 70% of diabetics develop neuropathy, and many cancer patients experience delayed-onset CIPN. Our therapies are designed to support the nervous system holistically, using FDA-cleared technologies. It is important to supplement the diet with vitamins, including thiamine and folic acid.
Common Neuropathy Symptoms

Muscle weakness is more frequently experienced in the legs but can also occur in the arms and other regions of the body. If you have peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance. That includes seeing them as recommended, taking medications or treatments as prescribed and modifying your life to protect yourself and manage your symptoms. The actions you can take also vary widely depending on many factors, and what helps one person may not be as effective for another. The best way to experience improvements in symptoms is by seeking treatment through an alcohol addiction treatment program.
Autonomic Neuropathy

Light contact can feel unpleasant and exaggerated, especially in the fingers and toes. The projections that transmit electrical impulses from one nerve to another, known as axons, are usually impacted by nerve injury. It also damages myelin, the fatty coating that surrounds and protects the nerves.
Can Peripheral Neuropathy Be Reversed? Expert Neurologist Answers
If the patient continues to drink, the disease will progress and affect the internal organs, digestion, basic balance and coordination, and even the urinary tract and sexual function. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Constant pain in the hands or feet is one of the most bothersome aspects of alcoholic neuropathy. The pain can feel like burning, throbbing, or sharp pins and needles. As the condition progresses, the pain may vary in intensity, sometimes diminishing for months at a time before worsening again. Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, and alcohol abuse is a frequent cause of neuropathy.

- Physical therapy, including strength and balance exercises, can mitigate muscle weakness and prevent falls, a common risk in neuropathic patients.
- These are the automatic functions of your body that happen without your thinking or even being aware of them.
- Alcohol neuropathy is nerve damage affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
- Often, individuals may not even realize that they are burned or cut because they just don’t feel it, which can elevate the risk for infection.
- If you notice symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy, see a healthcare professional right away.
- She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room.
Alcohol-induced neuropathy develops due to the toxic effect of alcohol on nerve tissue combined with malnutrition, particularly vitamin B deficiencies. Heavy, long-term alcohol consumption damages both the central nervous system and peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathic symptoms. The recovery timeline for alcoholic neuropathy is different for everyone. Several factors influence how long it will take for symptoms to improve, such as the severity of nerve damage, how long alcohol was consumed, and the effectiveness of treatment. Living with alcoholic neuropathy may lead to sensations like sharp pains, pins and needles, and even sexual dysfunction, all of which can impact your quality of life. It’s essential to address both the physical and emotional aspects of your condition.
Subscribe to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
Additionally, people may have diminished or nonexistent deep tendon reflexes and muscle atrophy. Chronic alcohol usage can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Axonal degeneration and demyelination, or damage to the myelin surrounding the nerves, are linked to this. how long does alcoholic neuropathy take to go away Since muscle atrophy and spasms can occur with polyneuropathy, regular muscle-strengthening exercises may help prevent further deterioration. Utilize adaptive aids, such as compression garments or braces, to keep affected limbs comfortable and relieve pressure on your axons. Wear loose-fitting, seamless socks to prevent irritation, and inspect feet daily for injuries you might not feel.
- During this type of exam, a healthcare provider listens to your heart and lungs, checks your reflexes, presses on your abdomen and performs other tasks to assess your health.
- Furthermore, remember to check out our online shop for a selection of effective neuropathy aids.
- The outcomes of alcoholic neuropathy can vary depending on the severity of the damage and how early it’s addressed.
- The risk depends on factors such as individual tolerance, overall health, and duration of alcohol intake.
How long does alcoholic neuropathy take to go away?
In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein. While alcoholic myopathy can be debilitating, it is almost always completely reversible. Chronic alcoholic myopathy, however, may take up to a full year to be reversed completely. If you or a loved one are seeking recovery services that accept your medical insurance, reach https://ecosoberhouse.com/ out to Infinite Recovery today.
With the help of experienced professionals and a supportive community, you can begin a sober and healthy life. The road to recovering from alcoholic neuropathy may be difficult, but with Twelve-step program the right support and resources, it is possible to regain control over one’s life and health. Motor symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps and spasms, particularly in the lower limbs. Over time, severe muscle weakness may result in muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes and difficulty maintaining balance. The good news for those living with neuropathy is that it is sometimes reversible. Simply by addressing contributing causes such as underlying infections, exposure to toxins, or vitamin and hormonal deficiencies, neuropathy symptoms frequently resolve themselves.
Alcohol Neuropathy Treatment
Alcohol is basically a simple sugar made from grains that at the end of the day is not unlike a soda while in your bloodstream in some ways. It’s a super good idea to get your blood checked right away and for you to know your glucose levels in your bloodstream. Of course, when you go to get this done, the doctors should be able to offer a lot of personalized tips on how to alleviate and attack the problems of low blood sugar. Don’t give up hope, though, because nerve cells that aren’t completely dead do have the ability to regenerate somewhat. At the very least, you can experience significant improvement if you decide it’s time to work hard for change.
How can I reduce my risk of developing peripheral neuropathy or prevent it entirely?
The goal of alcoholic neuropathy treatment is to improve quality of life by offering relief from symptoms. The treatment and recovery process is different for everyone, as everyone’s situation is unique. The numbness and inability to feel pain can make one more susceptible to burns or cuts, increasing the risk of infection. While not always life-threatening, alcoholic neuropathy can cause permanent damage when left untreated. One of the ways it is left untreated is by continuous alcohol consumption. If you are struggling to quit alcohol, it may be time to seek help from an alcohol addiction treatment program.

Add Comment