Alcohol and Your Kidneys: What You Should Know

Your kidneys are almost under-appreciated heroes. They filter out waste, balance your fluids, regulate your blood pressure and help your body run smoothly. When alcohol is introduced, the kidneys must now work a little harder, which can. Over time, this can cause lasting damage to these vital organs.

 In this blog, we will explore how alcohol can impact kidney health, why moderation is important, what you can do to help protect your kidneys.

How Alcohol Affects Kidney Function

Alcohol works as a diuretic; in other words, it will cause your body to lose more fluid than normal and this loss of fluid can impair the kidneys ability to filter blood. Strain from heavy drinking over time can eventually result in damage. 

In addition, the kidneys also have to work harder to filter out the by-products of alcohol consumption. 

Balance upset: A disruption in the balance of electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, can cause symptoms such as cramping, weakness or irregular heartbeats. 

Impact on blood pressure: Drinking too much alcohol will also raise blood pressure which is a major risk factor for kidney disease. 

All of this dehydration, chemical imbalance and high blood pressure means that alcohol is one of the more understated risks to kidney health.

Immediate Effects You Shouldn’t Overlook

Even one instance of heavy drinking has effects such as:

• Dehydration which may cause fatigue, dizziness or a headache.
• Temporary imbalance of electrolytes, leading to weakness or nausea.
• Increased urine production, which places strain on the kidneys.

Although these are minor effects, the more often they occur, your long-term risks may increase.

Chronic Dangers of Over-Consumption of Alcohol

Frequent or heavy drinking is not only problematic when it causes temporary physical discomfort.

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Alcohol increases the risk of CKD, particularly among those with diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Kidney Stones: Alcohol changes the manner in which calcium, uric acid and other mineral components are filtered and processed, thus increasing the risk for kidney stones.
• Liver and Kidneys Work Together: Because the liver and kidneys work together to cleanse the body of toxins, liver disease resulting from alcohol consumption will put excessive pressure on the kidneys.

For many years, the effects of long-term alcohol consumption may erode kidney health without presenting any clinical symptoms which will make reversing that decline very difficult.

Is it safe to drink in moderation?

 What does “moderate” mean, though?  For women, one drink a day is usually safe, and for men, two drinks a day are usually safe.  People who already have kidney disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, on the other hand, should not drink alcohol at all.  You should talk to your doctor about even drinking once in a while, since everyone’s health is different.

How to Keep Alcohol from Damaging Your Kidneys

 The best ways to keep your kidneys healthy are to be aware of your lifestyle and see a doctor.

•  Drink plenty of water:  If you drink alcohol, you should drink a lot of water.
•  Limit how much you drink by keeping track of how much you drink each week.
• Know Your Risks: If you have a family history of kidney disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, drinking alcohol is riskier.
• Get medical advice: Regular tests of kidney function can help find problems early.

You should take care of your kidneys, and the first step is to learn how alcohol affects them.  At Sugam Hospital, our specialists help patients make smart choices about their health and offer advanced treatment for kidney problems.  If you’re worried about your kidney health or want to know how much alcohol is safe to drink, talking to a qualified Nephrologist in Chennai can help.