How Alcohol Affects Your Kidneys: Short- & Long-Term Effects

Probably the only time we think about our kidneys is when we joke about selling one to afford the newest Apple gadget. When you’re concerned about your kidney health, Milwaukee Nephrologists is your go-to resource. To learn more, check out our other educational articles, or get in touch with Sober living house our staff of nephrologists, transplant specialists, and dietitians to schedule an appointment. According to the CDC, men should have no more than two drinks a day, and women should have no more than one drink a day. Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and vasculitis, may cause inflammation that affects the kidneys.

Potential confounding factors of alcohol consumption

• Detox is an essential first step, allowing your body to cleanse and heal from the harmful effects of alcohol consumption while managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• You’ll find compassionate, skilled professionals ready to help you every step of the way at our drug and alcohol rehab center.
• This is due to the minerals and other wastes in our body having more water to be able to be processed.
• Let’s dive into the world of kidney health and its relationship with alcohol.
• Several studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption increases ROS generation, which contributes to lipid peroxidation and damages antioxidant capacity 34,35.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, moderate drinking is do your kidneys process alcohol defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men (29). Long-term alcohol use can have significant and lasting effects on the kidneys. One of the primary long-term effects is the development of alcohol-induced kidney disease (12). This condition is characterized by inflammation and scarring on the kidney (13).

Alcohol Can Affect the Kidneys Through High Blood Pressure

If you have been placed on a fluid-restriction diet, you will need to count the alcohol. Talk to your renal dietician about understanding how to include alcohol if you choose to. If you have any questions about consuming alcohol and your kidney disease, talk to your nephrologist or renal dietician. Dehydration is an added challenge for people with kidney disease as it puts more strain on the already damaged kidneys.

Can Drinking Too Much Be Harmful to Your Kidneys?

• This happens when the kidneys lose the ability to properly filter blood and maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance (7).
• Although there have been many clinical studies on alcohol consumption and CKD, most have some limitations that could cause misinterpretation of the results and conclusions.
• The recovery process begins with alcohol detox, where we safely and comfortably help you rid your body of alcohol toxins.
• Although consuming alcohol does directly affect the kidneys, it isn’t always the first concern with rising rates of mental health overpowering the discussion.

This meta-analysis found a significant difference when comparing episodic heavy drinkers with moderate regular drinkers; the former increases the risk of ischemic heart diseases 115. There is a lower risk of ischemic heart disease for moderate drinkers without heavy drinking occasions and a higher risk for drinkers with the same average amount who engaged in heavy episodic drinking 76. Moreover, the harmful effect of episodic heavy drinking seems to be more obvious in people with light alcohol consumption, and it may be related to a rise in platelet reactivity and thrombosis after binge drinking 9. Excessive drinking can have serious long-term effects on your health. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ According to the National Kidney Foundation, consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk of high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a common cause of chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is a condition where your kidneys are so damaged that they cannot filter blood properly.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve lasting recovery and prevent further harm to your kidneys. Furthermore, alcohol causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure. The kidneys help regulate blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the bloodstream.

Preventing Dehydration During Alcohol Consumption

• Some individuals put social pressure upon others to drink to justify their own intake and you do not need to give in to this pressure.
• The condition results in the accumulation of toxins and waste products.
• To ease pain, warm baths with Epsom salt is an excellent remedy can ease pain.
• Rather than the type of beverage, it is the amount of alcohol that affects the kidneys, with binge or excessive drinking having the most impact.
• We also realize that previous studies did not include an adequate number of heavy drinkers, especially female heavy drinkers.
• If you have kidney disease that leads to kidney failure, you will need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Additionally, it can raise blood pressure, which is another risk factor for kidney disease.

In cases where kidney function has significantly declined, peritoneal dialysis (in the form of home hemodialysis or in-center hemodialysis) may be necessary as a treatment option. For some people, kidney transplant, either from a living donor or a kidney donation from a deceased donor, can provide a more long-term solution to restore kidney function and overall well-being. Consulting with healthcare professionals and kidney specialists is crucial in determining the most appropriate course of action for kidney care and exploring available treatment options.