Symptoms on the hands

The hands are usually affected only after the feet, in the order of the symptoms occurring in polyneuropathy. Here, the nerve damage becomes symptomatic first in the fingers, analogous to the damage pattern of the feet. In addition to general paresthesia symptoms, polyneuropathy of the hands can lead to a disturbance of their fine motor skills and coordination. If the polyneuropathy is caused by diabetes mellitus, sensory disorders typically occur in the form of gloves.

Symptoms caused by alcohol

If polyneuropathy is caused by alcohol, the symptoms typically develop very slowly. They are usually symmetrical and manifest themselves particularly on the feet and legs. This often leads to disturbances of sensitivity in the affected areas, which can, however, vary from person to person.

The vibration sensation can be affected, but also the sensation of temperature or pain. Frequently there is pain of a burning character, which usually affects the feet (burning feet) or calves (see above). Very often the depth sensitivity is also disturbed in these patients.

For example, it is no longer possible to detect exactly when the foot touches the ground while walking, which often results in the foot touching the ground abruptly. This objectively changes the gait pattern of the affected person. In polyneuropathy triggered by alcohol, motor nerves are often also affected, so that muscle weakness and even coordination disorders can occur.

In this form of polyneuropathy, a specific motor nerve, called the peroneal nerve and located in the lower leg, is often affected. The function of the intact nerve is to supply motor power to a part of the muscles of the foot. If the nerve is damaged, the toes or even the entire foot can no longer be pulled towards the nose and thus the foot can no longer be lifted adequately when walking.

This in turn leads to conspicuousness when walking, since the lack of foot lifting is compensated by increased bending of knee and hip, which is called stepper gait. The involvement of motor nerves often also leads to muscle loss in affected areas (atrophy), which makes the calves appear thin. If the alcohol-induced polyneuropathy is particularly severe, even the eye muscles can be affected or the pupils paralyzed, which can lead to symptoms such as double vision. Polyneuropathy due to alcohol can therefore have a very mild course, with only minor sensitive sensations in the feet. However, it can also become symptomatic in severe cases where the quality of life can be severely limited by coordination disorders and pain.