How To Help Alcohol Related Nerve Damage

Nerve damage that results from drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time is called alcoholic neuropathy. Symptoms of the disorder range from mild discomfort or a numb sensation to severe pain and disability. If you've been diagnosed with this disorder, you first need to correct the alcohol problem if that hasn't already been handled. Then, medical professionals will attempt to control your symptoms, maximize your ability to function independently and prevent any further injury.

Things You'll Need

• Thiamine
• Folic acid
• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
• Pantothenic acid
• Biotin
• Vitamin B12
• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Vitamin A
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Phenytoin
• Gabapentin
• Carbamazepine
• Fludrocortisone
• Bethanechol
• Splints
• Thermometer

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Stop drinking alcohol to slow down the progression of the damage with psychiatric interventions, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), medications and/or behavior modification.

• 2

  Supplement your diet with thiamine and folic acid. Excessive use of alcohol usually leads to a deficiency of these vitamins. Thiamine reduces stress and prevents inflammation of the nerves. Folic acid combats symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy such as swollen tongue (glossitis) and diarrhea.
  Your doctor may also instruct you to take the following vitamins if these, too, have been depleted by alcoholism: pyridoxine (vitamin B6), pantothenic acid and biotin, vitamin B12, niacin (vitamin B3) and vitamin A.

• 3

  Take medications. Take over-the-counter medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you feel pain. If your pain is severe, you may do better with a prescription of tricyclic antidepressants or anti-convulsant medications such as phenytoin, gabapentin, or carbamazepine. To reduce postural blood pressure changes that accompany alcoholic neuropathy, medications like fludrocortisone may be prescribed. Bethanechol may be used to treat bladder dysfunction.
  Take only the very minimum of each mediation prescribed so as to limit side effects and dependency on these drugs.

• 4

  Use splints to keep your limbs positioned correctly and allow your muscles to function the best way possible.

• 5

  Insure that your limbs are protected. Because you have reduced sensibility, you may not feel certain injuries like burning, blisters and extreme cold. Verify the temperature of your bath water with a thermometer to prevent burns. Wear enough clothes when you go outdoors in the winter to prevent frostbite.