Alcohol & Neuropathy
Neuropathy is the damage of the nervous system. The nervous system is composed of the brain, the spinal cord and the afferent nerves that are spread throughout the body. Alcohol is neurotoxic, meaning it harms the nervous system and causes disease. Nerves do not regenerate like other cells in the body like the liver, so neuropathy is usually permanent. The liver may heal after cessation from the drug, but neuropathy is a long-term condition.
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Factors
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Some factors affect the extent of nerve damage from alcoholism. Although alcohol is neurotoxic, the length of time and the quantity of consumption are risk factors for more severe damage. Binge drinkers have the most susceptibility. Binge drinkers who consume alcohol to the point of tolerance and dependency cause damage to their brain as well as liver, kidneys and blood pressure.
Blackouts and Memory
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Heavy drinking leads to blackouts. For most people, blackouts cause temporary memory loss. Continual heavy drinking leads to blackouts and permanent memory loss. Long-term alcoholism even leads to delirium. Delirium from alcoholism is loss of memory with hallucinations.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms from neuropathy caused by alcohol range from minor to severe. Minor symptoms stem from short-term alcohol addiction. Muscle weakness, twitching, numbness and abnormal tingling are minor symptoms. More severe symptoms are seen in people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Severe symptoms include swallowing difficulties, speech impairment and atrophy in the muscles.
Diagnosis
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Testing for neuropathy is done in several ways. Non-invasive tests include pupil inspection. Alcoholics have poor pupil reactivity when a light is shined in the eye. Blood pressure changes are also evaluated. Reflexes are poor from chronic drinking, so nerves are tested with simple reflex exercises. Nerve biopsies or conduction tests are prescribed for patients with poor results from non-invasive tests.
Treatment
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Nerve damage is usually permanent. Physical therapy is used for muscle atrophy. If the patient is in pain, medications are supplied to treat neuropathy. Because alcohol addiction leads to vitamin deficiencies, doctors prescribe thiamine and folic acid supplements to help counter the nutritional issues. Most of all, patients are advised to stop drinking alcohol or nerve damage can worsen.
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