Can Alcohol Neuropathy Be Healed?

Neuropathy, a condition in which the peripheral nerves malfunction, is most commonly associated with diabetes. However, you can develop neuropathy due to excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol neuropathy may never completely heal, but if you stop drinking alcohol and focus on other treatments and therapies, you may be able to reduce and control the symptoms.

Cause

• The peripheral nerves are your motor, sensory and autonomic nerves. These nerves connect the brain to the spinal cord and send messages to the skin, muscles and internal organs. When alcohol consumption is excessive, combined with poor nutrition, the alcohol poisons the peripheral nerves, according to Medline Plus.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy are loss of sensation in your feet, arms and legs, affecting your balance. You may experience weakness and pain in your extremities. The autonomic nerves that control your internal organs can be affected, causing problems such as impotence, bladder control, constipation, nausea, speech impairment and heat intolerance.

Stop Drinking Alcohol

• The most important treatment in reversing the neuropathy symptoms is to stop drinking alcohol. You will not be able to treat alcohol neuropathy if you are still drinking.

Nutrition

• Improve your nutritional health by taking vitamins and eating healthy foods. Nutritional studies recorded by the National Library of Medicine state that alcoholics are deficient in the following vitamins: thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6), pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, folic acid, niacin and vitamin A.

Other Treatments

• Physical therapy can improve balance and muscle weakness and function.

  Medication can improve pain, numbness, impotence and constipation. Medications, exercise and diet can also lower blood pressure, which affects many of the neuropathic problems.