Alcohol-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of alcohol use disorder.Excess alcohol consumption can also result in malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies that have a damaging effect on nerves. The decoction of Divya-Peedantak-Kwath (DPK) reduced inflammation and oxidative stress to prevent the allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by paclitaxel [203]. Goshajinkigan (GJG), a Japanese herbal medicine, prevented paclitaxel-induced neuropathy by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in the primary sensory cortex [204,205,206]. Oral administration of ginger water extract increased the expression of 5-HT1A receptors, blocking oxaliplatin-induced cold and mechanical allodynia [207]. Danshen and its bioactive compounds, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, dose-dependently diminished oxaliplatin-induced CIPN [208]. Commiphora myrrha (CM) resin extract upregulates TRPV1 expression in the spinal cord to prevent the pathogenesis of paclitaxel-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia [209].
Study characteristics
To determine the functions of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), sympathetic skin response (SSR) is used; the abnormal results of this test suggest subclinical transmission impairments [162]. Navarro et al. (1993) showed that nearly half of the alcohol-dependent patients without AAN symptoms and any aberrations in electrophysiologic studies presented abnormal SSR results [163]. In a similar study, SSR was used to assess the number of reactive sweat glands (SGN), which turned out to be decreased in alcohol-dependent patients [164]. The mechanism of direct damage of nerve fibers due to alcohol intoxication remains unclear. Activation of spinal cord microglia, mGlu5 spinal cord receptors, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis appear to be implicated in this process [92,93,94,95,96,97].
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Drinking a lot of alcohol over a long period of time causes nerve damage that can lead to the onset of alcoholic neuropathy. Someone who struggles with alcoholism may replace meals with alcohol, take in a lot of empty calories, and not maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Alcohol can also deplete the body of essential nutrients, and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is common in people who battle alcoholism. Malnutrition due to alcoholism can contribute to nerve damage and alcoholic polyneuropathy as well.
Malnutrition and Micronutrients Deficiency
Nerve damage from chronic alcohol consumption can develop over several years. The most important strategy against alcoholic neuropathy lies in preventing the symptoms from getting worse by decreasing alcohol consumption as soon as possible. In addition, a support group can help you cope with the life changes you’re experiencing as a alcohol neuropathy stages result of your condition. You might look for a support group specifically for alcoholic neuropathy or for people coping with chronic pain. You may also benefit from a support group to help you reduce your drinking or completely quit drinking alcohol. A healthcare professional can offer support for people with alcohol use disorder.
- In vivo study on rats showed impaired retrograde axonal transport [107, 108].
- Developing an individualized protocol should be considered to prevent and treat CIPN based on the chemotherapy agent(s) to be used.
- Some of these herbs are more commonly found than others, and they may exist as ingredients in various herbal medicines, such as ointments, for example.
- Nerves don’t have a resilient ability to regenerate if they are severely damaged.
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- Alcoholic neuropathy is a severe condition caused by excessive alcohol use.
- Amongst those who did not respond to thiamine, two patients with grade I neuropathy and one with grade II responded with the correction of low circulating nicotinic acid.
- Altered expression of the voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV), voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv), and voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV) leads to a change in neuronal excitability [33,34].
- The primary aim of this systematic review was to establish the prevalence, character, and risk factors of peripheral neuropathy amongst chronic alcohol abusers and to identify the most appropriate management strategies.
