Toxins, Poisons, Chemicals, and Alcoholism
Peripheral neuropathy may also result from prolonged exposure to toxins, poisons, and chemicals (toxic neuropathy) and long-term alcohol abuse or alcoholism (alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy).
Toxic neuropathy and peripheral neurotoxicity may be a bit tricky to avoid or diagnose, as there exists over 200 toxins, poisons, and chemical agents that are believed to cause damage to human neuronal cells. Whether it’s caused by occupational or recreational drug or chemical abuse or exposure doesn’t matter, as they all eventually lead to peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately, the numerous and inconclusive results can make it very difficult to show a causal relationship between the agents and resultant neuropathies except by using Bradford Hill’s criteria for causation.
On the flip side, alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy or alcoholic neuropathy is an altogether different ballgame. It causes direct poisoning of the nerves that regulate the internal body functions (autonomic nerves), resulting in sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction. In some cases, it can be confused as both nutritional deficiency neuropathy and toxic neuropathy. Long-term alcohol abuse resulting from chronic alcoholism can cause repeated nerve injury, infection, trauma, and permanent disability.
