When you drink heavily, your kidneys have to work harder to filter out the alcohol. And in rare cases, binge drinking — five or more drinks at a time — can cause a sudden drop in kidney function called acute kidney injury. This serious condition occurs when toxins from alcohol build up in your blood so fast your kidneys can’t maintain the proper fluid balance. Though it’s reversible with treatment, it can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
How Alcohol Affects Your Kidneys: Short- & Long-Term Effects
- Even moderate or occasional drinking can have immediate effects on your kidneys.
- For some people, drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
- At these stages, CKD moderately to severely impacts kidney function.
- The disease can also affect blood flow to the kidneys and cause them to be less effective in filtering blood.
Alcohol can also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb certain medications, which can further complicate any existing health issues. It is also essential to avoid alcohol consumption if you are pregnant, underage, have certain medical conditions, and are taking certain medications. Not only can alcohol cause damage to the kidneys but it may affect other parts of the body as well.
Kidney Pain After Drinking: 7 Possible Causes
Furthermore, alcohol can affect kidney function by causing or exacerbating other health conditions that harm the kidneys. For example, alcohol is a known risk factor for high blood pressure, a leading cause of kidney damage. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to liver damage and disease, which can, in turn, impair kidney function. Furthermore, alcohol can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can strain the kidneys. One of the most effective ways to prevent kidney damage from alcohol is through moderation.
What Are the Possible Causes of Kidney Pain After Alcohol Consumption?
Alcohol is the most abused addictive substance in America, as more than 17 million people in the United States are considered to suffer from addiction to alcohol. SAMHSA publishes that over 1.5 million american adults are considered to be currently abusing a prescription drug. Besides filtering blood, kidneys help keep the right amount of water in your body. Drinking too much alcohol also can raise blood pressure, a leading cause of kidney disease, and harm the liver, making the kidneys work harder. Obesity can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, the two leading causes of kidney disease. You can find sugar in many places, like desserts, drinks, and foods you may not consider sweet.
However, chronic kidney disease that develops over years of heavy drinking may not be fully reversible. Instead, the goal becomes slowing progression and preventing further deterioration. Alcohol can prevent our kidneys from doing their job effectively, making it more difficult for them to filter out toxins and waste. Over time, heavy, long-term consumption of alcohol can damage our kidneys and lead to chronic kidney Substance abuse disease or failure. Alcohol can also increase our risk of kidney infections and contribute to the development of kidney stones.
- Individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time are more likely to experience kidney pain than those who drink moderate amounts over a longer period.
- Shortness of breath combined with swelling or fatigue may indicate a serious medical emergency.
- Managing your alcohol intake is one of the most effective ways to protect your kidneys if you live with or are at risk for diabetes.
- Alcohol dehydrates the body, affecting the kidneys’ ability to function properly.
- A high alcohol intake may also increase the risk of other problems that can hurt the kidneys, such as a urinary tract infection, high blood pressure, and long-term kidney damage.
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 Kidneys Recover From Alcohol-Related Damage?
The diuretic effect of alcohol can lead to dehydration, putting extra strain on these vital organs. Over time, this can impair kidney function and increase the risk of kidney problems. Long-term alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD can progress silently, often without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
You increase your chances of developing kidney stones when you lead a sedentary lifestyle and have imbalanced diet. When you drink excessively, there will be an increase in the production of urine, which will make kidney stones to move rapidly, causing severe pain. You may be experiencing pain because you’re making your kidneys to overwork. The kidneys filter out the waste materials, and keep the body hydrated. Your kidneys have a limited capacity to process alcohol, but if you drink excessively, you make them to work harder and longer.
While the progression can be slowed, full recovery may not be possible. The following symptoms of kidney disease should be noted, monitored, and reported to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If discovered early enough, kidney disease can be treated, and you may even be able to have a complete recovery.
In some cases, this pain may also relate to urinary tract issues or even a kidney infection exacerbated by alcohol. These symptoms may indicate your kidneys are struggling, especially if you’re experiencing them consistently after alcohol use. Ignoring these early signs of kidney problems can increase your risk of long-term damage does alcohol affect your kidneys or even alcohol-induced kidney failure.
Thus, through alcohol’s interference in kidney function it is able to cause destruction in many other areas of the body. To perform these functions, the kidneys are comprised of approximately a million functional units called nephrons in each kidney. Each contains blood vessels that filter the blood as it passes through them.
How Alcohol Affects Kidney Health Long Term
Age plays a significant role, as kidney function naturally declines with time, making older adults more susceptible to alcohol-related kidney problems. Regular, heavy alcohol use can also be harmful to your kidneys over time. According to the National Kidney Foundation, regular heavy drinking can double the risk of chronic kidney disease.