Why do alcoholics lose their legs? Because in the body of people who abuse alcohol, serious changes begin. Immunity falls, lungs fail, problems with the liver and kidneys appear. Pain in the limbs is also not unreasonable. If they swell, go numb, hurt, it means that pathological changes have overtaken them.
But what exactly is the reason? How do the notorious changes occur? How harmful is the effect of alcohol on the body? We will talk about this now.
Polyneuropathy
This is the name of a neurological disease that develops as a result of alcohol abuse. It causes dysfunction of the peripheral nerves.
Why do alcoholics' legs fail? Because alcohol and its metabolites have a toxic effect on the nerves. The result is a violation of exchangeprocesses that occur in nerve fibers.
Statistics
The disease is detected in people of any age. There is only a slight predominance in women. The frequency of distribution averages 1-2 cases per 100,000 people. This is approximately 9% of all ailments arising from alcohol abuse.
Sensory form of the disease
Answering the question of why the legs of alcoholics fail, it is necessary to consider what types of polyneuropathy exist. The first type is sensory. If a person is struck by this particular disease, he observes the following symptoms:
- Pain localized in the distal limbs.
- Feeling burning, numb and chilly.
- Segmental sensory disturbances.
- Pain in the area of large nerve trunks.
- Calf cramps.
- Increased or decreased temperature sensitivity.
- Acrocyanosis, hyperhidrosis, "marble" skin on the feet and palms, as well as other vegetative-vascular changes.
- Deterioration of periosteal and tendon reflexes.
Motor Form
In continuation of the topic concerning the question of why the legs of alcoholics fail, we need to talk about this type of disease. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Peripheral paresis, expressed in varying degrees.
- Mild sensory disturbances, predominantly affectingperoneal and tibial nerve.
- Hypotonia observed in the legs and feet.
- Problems with plantar flexion of toes. It becomes difficult to get up on your toes, rotate your feet.
- Violation of metabolic processes and microcirculation.
- Decrease or disappearance of Achilles reflexes. Strengthening and enlargement of the knees.
- Stability while walking.
- Disturbance of coordination of movements.
- Loss of joint mobility, swelling and deformity.
The influence of alcohol on the human body is massive. Quite quickly, muscle weakness appears, forces literally leave the human body. There are swelling, weakness. Muscles rapidly decrease in volume, and in the end everything leads to atrophy.
Mixed form
This type of disease is also called sensory-motor polyneuropathy. If it is he who strikes a person, then the symptoms characteristic of violations of the two previous types make themselves felt. Signs can be distinguished in the following list:
- Complete loss of sensitivity to any temperature changes, pain and physical pressure coming from outside.
- General discomfort. There is also a sharp, very severe pain in the legs, which only intensifies at night.
- Violation of the musculoskeletal system. Muscles atrophy, bones deform.
- Excessive dryness of the skin, which also becomes reddish. They also often show age spots.
- Stopping sweat glands.
And all this is a consequence of the influence of alcohol onhuman organism. In advanced cases, the area between the fingers and the sole are covered with ulcers. Since a person no longer feels pain due to the pathology that continues to develop, they do not manifest themselves in any way. Nevertheless, inflammatory processes often lead to an irreversible consequence. And we are talking about limb amputation.
Atactic form
This ailment is often called peripheral pseudo-tabes. Very often, as a result of it, sensitive ataxia occurs. This is the name of the disorder of sensory perception of vibration and pressure, as well as the position of the body in space, which leads to various motor disorders and discoordination. Here are the consequences:
- Disorder of coordination and gait.
- Pseudoathetosis affecting the distal extremities.
- Skeletal muscle hypotonia.
Besides this, the alcoholic's legs swell, and numbness appears in the future. The distal parts of the limbs lose their sensitivity, reflexes disappear. If you palpate the area where the nerve trunks are located, the person will feel pain.
It must be noted that this disease has a certain similarity with the so-called tabes of the spinal cord. However, atactic polyneuropathy differs from this disease by its sudden, acute onset.
Other features of the state
Talking about what leg problems can be in alcoholics, you need to pay a little attention to other specifics that distinguish polyneuropathy.
The fact is that with suchconditions, the cranial nerves are often involved in the pathological process - vagus, facial, abducent and optic. If polyneuropathy is combined with memory impairment, paramnesia (memory impairment), weakened mental productivity, then there is reason to suspect that a person has Korsakoff's syndrome.
Yes, and other pathologies may also take place. Therefore, the treatment of alcoholic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities must be made, taking into account the pathogenetic mechanisms of the onset and development of the underlying disease. Each clinical manifestation of alcoholism, the existing dynamics, as well as the general condition of the patient in which he is at the time of the acupuncture session are taken into account.
Psychic effects
It was discussed above why alcoholics have sore legs. However, polyneuropathy is far from the only consequence that alcohol abuse can lead to. Not everyone remembers, but alcoholism causes a variety of personality disorders. The consequences are:
- Destruction of the emotional-volitional sphere.
- Apathy and depression.
- Bouts of aggression and hysterical fits.
- The appearance of suicidal tendencies.
- Memory lapses and severe mental deterioration.
- Formation of schizoaffective psychosis.
- Delirium tremens, scientifically called delirium tremens. Accompanied by hallucinations, vomiting, headache, anxiety.
- Asthenic neurosis.
Launched stage endsthe formation of dementia. A person is overtaken by dementia - he finally ceases to perceive and assimilate new information, his behavior is disturbed, emotional reactions are inadequate, and there are continuous lapses in memory. Even in space, he can navigate with difficulty. Sometimes such people are not even able to remember the names of loved ones or simply recognize themselves in the mirror.
Physiological effects
They also need to be told. Leg failure in alcoholism is far from the worst consequence, although it’s hard to think so. Prolonged drinking can be fraught with the development of diseases that can lead to disability or even death. These are the pathologies that affect the vast majority of body systems.
Ethanol damages neurons and brain structure. Regulatory processes between the sections of the cerebral cortex are disturbed. As a result, the activity of the control centers drops.
Ethanol also enters the brain. It dissolves the shell of red blood cells, negatively affects their charge, which they need to repel each other. As a result, they stick together, a blood clot forms. Blood stops flowing to the tissues, causing dehydration and oxygen starvation.
Paralysis of the lower extremities is a terrible consequence. However, alcoholism is also fraught with cerebral and myocardial infarction, hypertension, encephalopathy, acute epileptiform syndrome, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Often, heavy drinkers are diagnosed with oncogenic organ tumors and obstruction. And a very large number of alcoholics are faced withnecrosis - the cells of their liver and pancreas simply die off. Diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis may develop.
In general, if you generalize, the body is simply depleted. The most deplorable outcome can be death.
Specific treatment
If an avid lover of alcohol constantly goes to the Alcoholics Anonymous group (in Moscow and other Russian cities there are such communities in large numbers), then he is ready to start treatment. One of the most popular therapies is acupuncture, which involves the impact on the human energy centers.
During the first course, the 7th and 8th points of the XI meridian are affected. It will help to cope with chronic intoxication of the body. Also, by acting on these points, it will be possible to stop the pain syndrome, normalize all the functions of the autonomic nervous system, and also strengthen the immune system.
In the future, the impact is on corporal and auricular points. Be sure to prick with needles those areas that are above the affected areas of the limbs.
During the procedure, a person feels a slight current flow, numbness, tingling and burning, as well as slight discomfort.
It is said to be an effective method of getting rid of the negative effects that alcohol abuse entails. However, the treatment must be meaningful - the patient must want to be healed. So, first he will need to go to the Alcoholics Anonymous group in Moscow or in the city where he lives, and then proceed totherapy. By the way, it implies a combination of several approaches. Acupuncture is just one of them.
Therapy
Now we should talk about the treatment of alcoholic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities. The main condition for recovery is a complete rejection of alcohol and a desire to be healed. This is the only way to achieve results.
If we talk about medicines, then to eliminate the pain syndrome, as a rule, they use the following means:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are Meloxicam, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide and Diclofenac.
- Antidepressants. Paroxetine and Amitriptyline help well.
- Anticonvulsants. Of the drugs in this group, Pregabalin, Gabapentin and Carbamazepine are prescribed.
Many of the listed medicines are absolutely incompatible with alcohol. Therefore, the rejection of it must be complete.
Help the body
So, it was briefly told about the specifics of therapy, which is necessary if the alcoholic's legs fail. What to do besides acupuncture and medication? It is very important to provide the body with good nutrition. Only in this way will it be possible to supply it with a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients. Here is what you need to take for this purpose:
- Thiamin. First intramuscularly, then in the form of tablets. You can replace this drug with "Benfotiamine" - a fat-soluble analogue. In recent years, it has been used specifically - this drug has a greater effect with a rather smalldosage.
- Folic acid.
- Pyridoxine.
- Xanthinol nicotinate, Vinpocetine, Pentoxifylline, Emoxipin. These drugs significantly improve the blood supply to the peripheral nerves, and also facilitate venous outflow.
- "Octolipen", "Espa-lipon", "Tiogamma", "Berlition". These are alpha lipoic acid preparations, which are excellent antioxidants.
- Gliatilin, Solcoseryl, Semax, Tanakan, Bilobil. These are neurotrophic and neurometabolic agents.
- "Neuromidin". This drug improves neuromuscular conduction.
Hepatoprotectors are also used to eliminate foot problems in alcoholics. They help to normalize liver function. This is important, because otherwise it will be very difficult to ensure the absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract.
Conclusion
Alcoholic polyneuropathy is an inevitable consequence of excessive drinking. The disease creeps up unnoticed, but a person's life changes radically.
If you give up alcohol in a timely manner and start rational treatment, you can achieve recovery. But in other cases, pathological changes are irreversible.
