On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:35:42 +0100, Wimbledonian
<fiddler9992000@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>Hi all
>
>After many years of boozing phenomenal quantities of whiskey, I now go to
>AA regularly, though probably not regularly enough.
>My jaw has been locked open, locked closed, and generally all over the
>place for about 10 weeks now. Just wondered if any one else has had
>anything similar?


If you are concerned, seek medical attention.


Alcohol is also known to cause cardiomyopathy, the heart size
increases though pumping ability decreases.


Alcoholic (Ethanol) polyneuropathy

* Epidemiology
o Incidence
+ 9% of alcoholics with clinically manifest
polyneuropathy
+ Female > Male
o Related factors
+ Alcohol abuse
# Severe: > 100 grams of alcohol per day
# Prolonged: Years; Higher total lifetime dose
+ Nutritional deficiency
# Skipped meals
# Diet low in: Meat & fish, Cereals, Fresh
fruit, Vegetables
# Weight loss: 30 to 40 lbs in 50%
# ? Specific involvement of B1 deficiency
+ Family history: 40% to 50%
+ Age
* Polyneuropathy: Clinical
o ~ 40% Asymptomatic
+ Muscles: Thin, Tender
+ Distal tendon reflexes: Reduced
+ Distal pain & temperature sensation: ± Reduced
o Pain: Dull ache & burning in feet ± legs; Occasional
lancinating pains
o Distribution of signs: Distal; Symmetric
o Sensory
+ Panmodal loss: Variable involvement in individual
patients
+ Hyperesthesia
o Weakness: Legs > Hands
o Tendon reflexes: Reduced at Ankle in 80%
o Autonomic
+ Hyperhidrosis: Feet & Hands
+ Reduced Parasympathetic cardiac responses
+ Esophageal dysmotility
o Cranial nerves: Hoarse voice
o Disease course: Slow improvement with reduced alcohol
intake
o Electrodiagnostic: NCV changes
+ Axonal loss: Distal
+ Sensory & Motor: Small Sensory potentials & Mildly
slowed CV
+ Legs > Arms
o Nerve Pathology: Distal axonal loss
* CNS: Cerebellar degeneration; Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
* Other systemic involvement
o Myopathy
o Skin changes
+ Stasis edema & pigmentation
+ Plantar foot ulcers: 1st > 5th metatarsal
+ Dryness & Scaliness: generalized
o Arthropathy: With severe polyneuropathy; 2° Repeated
trauma
o Anemia
o Liver function changes