The Harmful Effects of Alcohol on the Kidneys

This makes your kidneys to work marijuana addiction harder to filter your blood, which will eventually lead to dehydration and kidney pain. Acute kidney injury is a type of kidney failure that lasts only a few weeks. While a short-term problem, it is often very serious and can even be life-threatening in some situations. It can also turn into chronic kidney disease and have life-long effects.

Can Alcohol Cause Kidney Damage?

The risk is even higher in people who drink heavily and also smoke. Yes, excessive alcohol consumption can eventually lead to acute kidney failure (also called acute kidney injury). But, if you’re an otherwise healthy person, your body can typically recover from acute kidney failure with the appropriate medical attention.

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• Hard deposits of minerals can build up in your kidneys over time.
• Swapping hard liquor drinks for low-alcohol beer and wine can help you avoid drinking too much alcohol, as can making sure you stay adequately hydrated.
• Alcohol is a diuretic that causes you to urinate more and become dehydrated, especially if you’re drinking a lot.
• These include urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially if the infection spreads to the kidneys.

As the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) explains, the kidneys contain tiny, finger-like structures called nephrons. These filter waste products from the blood and maintain the balance of water and minerals in the bloodstream. A 2018 study found that having alcohol use disorder increased the likelihood of having a new diagnosis of CKD. However, the study authors also mentioned that more studies are needed to explore the connection between AUD and kidney function. According to a 2017 review, the question of whether alcohol consumption affects kidney function remains controversial.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Kidneys

In fact, you should essentially follow a safety guideline i.e. never drink more than one or two drinks in a day. Especially, you should strictly follow this rule if you are conceiving or you are exceeding 65 years age. In this way, you will expect to avoid kidney problems and kidney pain from taking place in the near future. This can be due to the kidneys needing to work harder to eliminate alcohol in the system as well as any damage the alcohol did to the liver. If you experience kidney pain after drinking alcohol, it can be because your kidneys are working overtime to expel the alcohol from your system.

Alcohol can lead to dehydration, a major risk factor for kidney stone formation. Additionally, alcohol may alter the balance of certain substances in the body, such as calcium and oxalate, which can contribute to the formation of stones. The best thing you can do to prevent kidney damage caused by heavy drinking is to detox from alcohol and either quit drinking entirely or drink only in moderation. Swapping hard liquor drinks for low-alcohol beer and wine can help you avoid drinking too much alcohol, as can making sure you stay adequately hydrated. Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic drink to help balance out the amount of alcohol consumed. If you do drink, be sure to drink responsibly, for the sake of your kidneys and your quality of life.

How to Prevent Kidney Pain After Drinking

If you have a kidney infection, drinking alcohol will increase your discomfort. Hard deposits of minerals can build up in your kidneys over time. Kidney stones can range from very tiny (smaller than a grain of sand) to larger than a pearl. Since alcohol causes you to urinate more often than usual and dehydrates you, heavy drinking can increase your chances of developing a kidney stone and lead to kidney pain. Symptoms of kidney damage resulting from excessive alcohol consumption can manifest in many different ways.

The NKF adds that most people in the United States who have both liver disease and kidney dysfunction are alcohol dependent. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), a person should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms consistent with kidney disease. According to a 2022 review, symptoms do not usually manifest until stage 4 or 5 of the disease. At these stages, CKD moderately to severely impacts kidney function. Regular and excessive alcohol use can also cause high blood pressure (hypertension) for a combination of reasons, such as disrupting hormones and affecting the muscles in blood vessels.

• To help prevent kidney disease from alcohol, you can reduce how much you drink.
• Because your kidneys impact the health of your other organs, stressed kidneys can create a ripple effect that has ongoing consequences for your overall health.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with long-term drug abuse and a co-occurring mental health condition such as depression, contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today.
• The disease can also affect blood flow to the kidneys and cause them to be less effective in filtering blood.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on Kidneys

If yes, you must immediately consult a doctor as your kidneys may need help. Understanding the relationship between alcohol and kidney health is critical for recognizing symptoms, seeking appropriate treatment, and making informed decisions about recovery. In this blog, we will explore the impact of alcohol on the kidneys, discuss potential long-term effects, and provide actionable steps for recovery and prevention. If you believe that you or someone you know is at risk of kidney failure and are experiencing these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. This type of urinary tract infection begins in your bladder or urethra and spreads to one or both kidneys.