Alcohol also alters the function of the stomach, liver, and kidneys in ways that prevent the body from properly detoxifying waste material. This waste then builds up and harms many regions of the Halfway house body, including the nerves. Another prominent effect of alcoholic neuropathy involves painful and uncomfortable sensations. Alcoholic neuropathy can result in hypersensitivity to touch and even resting pain. Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy amongst chronic alcohol abusers The impacts of long term and short term alcohol use on cognitive functioning and =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ neurodegeneration can be studied extensively by resting-state fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and task-based fMRI 69,93. During the initial stages of ALN, the disease may appear asymptomatic and demonstrable only on electroneurographic investigation 71, 111, 112. Because ALN is a length-dependent axonopathy, it manifests mainly in a “stocking-glove” form, affecting the lower extremities at the beginning 28, 113. The main symptoms of ALN include dysesthesia, paresthesia, numbness, and pain in the lower extremities which progressively reach higher parts of the body 114,115,116,117. A connection between MEK/ERK signaling and alcoholic neuropathy Seeking treatment for alcohol addiction is an essential aspect of managing ALN. To assess the bias in these we applied the Jadad score which takes into consideration quality of randomisation and blinding as well as reporting of withdrawals to assess bias in RCTs 9. Alcohol-related neuropathy is a condition caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period. Future advancements include nerve growth factor treatments, which are being studied to determine if they may help repair nerve damage over time. It is most likely that drinking a lot of alcohol over several years causes direct damage to nerve cells and can also contribute to nutritional deficiencies in the body; these may both be factors in the onset of alcoholic polyneuropathy. In an animal model, Kaur et al. (2017) showed that curcumin and sildenafil administrated alone or in combination represent a therapeutic advantage in alcohol-induced neuropathic pain 176. Izumi et al. 73 also demonstrated that a single day of ethanol exposure in rats on post natal day 7 results in significant apoptotic neuronal damage throughout the forebrain after 24 h of ethanol administration. Thus, it is quite possible that chronic alcohol consumption is responsible for inducing neuropathy by activation of the caspase cascade and may be an important target for the treatment of alcoholic neuropathy. Role of caspases in alcoholic neuropathy Early alcoholic neuropathy, usually presenting as sensory symptoms in the extremities, is reversible if the patient stops drinking and establishes proper nutrition. However, more severe and prolonged cases may be irreversible, even with abstinence, and lead to lifelong impairment. Antiepileptic drugs, such as the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue (gabapentin), have proven helpful in some cases of neuropathic pain. These drugs have central and peripheral anticholinergic effects, as well as sedative effects, and they block the active re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Recently, extended release gabapentin relieved symptoms of painful polyneuropathy 120. Lamotrigine was effective in relieving central post stroke pain 121 and painful diabetic polyneuropathy 122, but recent larger studies have failed to show a pain relieving effect in mixed neuropathic pain 123 and painful polyneuropathy 124. Research suggests you can recover from some or all of the nerve damage caused by alcohol-related neuropathy. However, researchers have found that consuming too much alcohol for long periods of time can damage the peripheral nerves. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chances of fully recovering. Prevalence of alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy amongst those with polyneuropathy In brief, after drinking alcohol, absorption Occurs in the gastrointestinal tract then the liver converts the alcohol to acetaldehyde through the first-pass metabolism in the liver, this oxidation reaction is catalyzed by the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme 31,32. Treatment involves reducing or eliminating alcohol intake to prevent further nerve damage and managing symptoms through medications, physical therapy, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Alcoholic neuropathy can result in hypersensitivity to touch and even resting pain. These treatments, in some cases, only suppress the symptoms but do not treat the underlying pathology. This dual strategy is essential to manage the condition effectively and improve our quality of life. In order to diagnose ALN, usually, several tests are needed to be performed to provide a complete and reliable diagnosis. Besides blood chemistry test and complete blood count (CBC), esophagogastroduodenoscopy is needed when a patient vomits and has nausea for an unknown reason; alcohol neuropathy X-rays of the gastrointestinal tract can also be performed. Electromyography and nerve conduction tests are performed in order to reveal signs of ALN.