They can also harm the kidneys, especially if you already have kidney disease. Reduce your regular use of NSAIDs and never go over the recommended dosage. Alcohol consumption can affect your overall health and consuming excessive amounts can have dangerous results. Increased alcohol consumption can also lead to alcoholism and addiction. Although alcohol consumed in small amounts may not be harmful to the body, it is considered a harmful substance if too much is consumed. The kidneys can filter small amounts of alcohol, but too much can impair their function of purifying alcohol from the blood.
What are the long-term effects of alcohol on kidney health?
Additional studies are needed to clarify the effect of alcohol on the kidneys in people with CKD. Some research suggests there’s no harm in people with CKD having an occasional drink. A 2019 review notes that giving up alcohol may not have a protective effect on the kidneys, and some studies even suggest that light to moderate drinking may have benefits.
- This stress can manifest as discomfort or pain in the lower back region.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can develop from various causes, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and excessive alcohol intake.
- Studies show that no amount of alcohol is good for your health.
- Long-term alcohol consumption can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI).
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They also regulate electrolytes and maintain acid-base balance. When alcohol enters the system, it can alter these processes, sometimes leading to acute or chronic kidney damage. People who experience kidney pain during or after drinking alcohol should contact a physician. It is especially important to seek medical care if the pain worsens with time. More than three to four alcoholic drinks per day or seven to fourteen drinks per week is too much.
How to Drink Safely
That makes your heart need to work harder to pump blood through your body. As a result, your kidneys receive less Substance abuse nutrients from the bloodstream, making it harder for them to perform their role of removing toxins. One of the kidneys’s jobs is to remove toxins from your blood.
For men, heavy alcohol use is defined as more than four drinks in a single sitting or more than 14 drinks in a week. For women, heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than three drinks in a single sitting or more than seven drinks in a day. It is important to remember that someone who is an older adult or has health problems may be more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than the general population.
Moderation and Responsible Drinking Practices
Each contains blood vessels that filter the blood as it passes through them. The filtered material is diverted to a tubule, where it becomes urine. The filtrate material may also contain nutrients, which the kidneys help reintegrate into the blood. If you or a loved one are concerned about your alcohol consumption, you may be suffering from alcohol use disorder.
Some prescription drugs can interact negatively with alcohol. Always check with your doctor before drinking if you are on medication. Try to drink slowly and avoid consuming large quantities in one sitting. If you have a condition can alcohol make your kidneys hurt that’s affecting your urinary system, you want expert advice.
These symptoms indicate more advanced kidney dysfunction and warrant immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for slowing or reversing damage. Alcohol consumption is a leading factor in morbidity and mortality worldwide, impacting nearly every organ system. As the fifth major cause of death in men and women, it has inspired decades of research illuminating alcohol addiction’s severe effects on both physical and mental well-being.
