Drinking is the second-leading cause of neuropathy, so the elimination of alcohol is the best thing you can do for yourself. If you abstain from alcohol, your neuropathy shouldn't get any worse.
It is best to avoid alcohol if you are living with neuropathy. caffeine – Caffeine can irritate the nerves and make neuropathy symptoms worse.
"While peripheral neuropathy can be caused by the prolonged intake of alcohol, the exact role of alcohol in the development of this condition [remains unconfirmed]," she says. "But overall, if a person is healthy (not nutritionally deficient), occasional alcohol intake should not worsen the condition."
Chronic alcohol drinking makes pain worse
Over time, alcohol misuse generates a painful small fiber peripheral neuropathy, the most common neurologic complication associated with alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol. Yes, too much alcohol can cause neuropathy. Drinking is the second-leading cause of neuropathy, so the elimination of alcohol is the best thing you can do for yourself. If you abstain from alcohol, your neuropathy shouldn't get any worse.
It is a common misconception that alcohol is an effective analgesic. The reality is that alcohol consumption may make a pain condition worse. Although alcohol doesn't directly alleviate pain symptoms, inebriation does confuse the central nervous system enough that pain sensations are less sharply interpreted.
People with alcoholic neuropathy who stop drinking, may alleviate their current symptoms and prevent further nerve deterioration.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen neuropathic symptoms. Exercise can deliver more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to far-off nerve endings, improve muscle strength, and limit muscle atrophy.
Drink lots of water
It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day. Talk with your doctor before starting any new diet.
Common methods of treating neuropathic pain include: Over-the-counter medication, such as NSAIDs. Antidepressants, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Anticonvulsants.
Among the many health challenges a person struggling with alcoholism has to face is one that poses particular difficulties for the feet and that is neuropathy.
It is best to avoid these foods and opt for healthier options such as lean meats and fish. Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with nerve signals and worsen the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
Age. Most patients diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy are aged 40-60 years. As mentioned previously, development of alcoholic neuropathy is associated with the duration and extent of total lifetime consumption of alcohol.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can lower neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi also might help. If you have painful neuropathy in your feet, you may want to try pool-based exercise such as swimming. Quit smoking.
Mean survival time for those with PN was 10.8 years, compared with 13.9 years for subjects without PN. PN was also indirectly associated through impaired balance.
Limiting alcohol. Making sure injuries and infections don't go unnoticed or untreated (this is particularly true for people who have neuropathies of diabetes). Improving vitamin deficiencies. Managing stress and practicing mindfulness.
Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy (ALN) is a potential complication of chronic alcoholism that results in sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to significant disability. Patients with ALN sustain repeated injury, infection, and falls that lead to major head trauma and permanent disablement.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may lessen or go away over time, but in some cases they never go away. These are some ways to learn to live with it: Use pain medicines as your doctor prescribes them. Most pain medicines work best if they are taken before the pain gets bad.
B vitamins are known for their ability to support healthy nervous system function. Vitamins B-1, B-6, and B-12 have been found to be especially beneficial for treating neuropathy. Vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, helps to reduce pain and inflammation and vitamin B-6 preserves the covering on nerve endings.
Diagnosing Alcoholic Neuropathy
Usually, people with alcoholic neuropathy have diminished reflexes and diminished sensation. If this condition is advanced, weakness may be present too. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV): EMG and NCV tests examine nerve function in detail.
The best thing a person with alcoholic neuropathy can do is to stop or significantly reduce their alcohol intake. It will likely be the first thing a doctor suggests. Some doctors may insist on it before testing or treatment continues.
For men, binge drinking is 5 or more drinks consumed on one occasion. Underage drinking: Any alcohol use by those under age 21. Heavy drinking: For women, heavy drinking is 8 drinks or more per week. For men, heavy drinking is 15 drinks or more per week.