Alcohol can not only directly damage the kidney, but also causes renal dysfunction by damaging other organs. In addition, some studies proved that alcohol consumption aggravates kidney injury in diabetic nephropathy rats 64. Hepatorenal syndrome, which is secondary to alcoholic hepatitis 65, and acute kidney injury, secondary to rhabdomyolysis, also cannot be ignored 46. NO is a free gaseous signal molecule produced by the NOS family, including neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and it plays an important role in hemodynamics regulation. In general, NO is generated by mesangial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells, and it plays an important role in the regulation of glomerular and medullar hemodynamics and renin release.
How Alcohol Impacts Your Kidneys’ Function
Although resilient, the kidneys can deteriorate as a result of malnutrition, alcohol abuse or dependence, or liver and other diseases. Healthy kidneys are vital to the function of all the body’s organs and systems. These are signs that the kidneys are not working as they should, and they can be symptoms of acute kidney injury due to a high alcohol consumption. The association of baseline alcohol consumption and decline in kidney function over 12 years among 5729 participants. Points and bars represent beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals, respectively.
Low Potassium Alcohol
In addition, long-term alcohol consumption can lead to injuries of renal tubules 1,2,30,39,51. Na+-K+-ATPase present on the proximal tubular epithelial membrane is important for tubular reabsorption. However, recent studies have demonstrated that its activity is decreased by ROS and lipid peroxidation with the consumption of ethyl alcohol 22,41,52. However, the effect of ethanol on renal tubule function is not limited to sodium ions.
Risks of Alcohol Abuse with Kidney Disease
Additional ingredients in mixed drinks may also add carbohydrate that must be considered. Even drinking a little too much (binge drinking) on occasion can set off a chain reaction that affects your well-being. Lowered inhibitions can lead to poor choices with lasting repercussions — like the end of a relationship, an accident or legal woes.
Because of the diuretic effect alcohol has on the kidneys, dehydration can occur. The kidneys are essential in maintaining the body’s fluid levels and are very sensitive to hydration, detecting dehydration by recognizing when electrolyte levels become more concentrated. Dehydration stimulates the kidneys to conserve and produce less fluid. This conflicts with the increased urine production alcohol simultaneously creates by affecting vasopressin levels, significantly increasing the stress and strain on the kidneys by forcing them to try to produce more and less urine simultaneously. The liver plays a role in maintaining blood flow to the kidneys, and alcohol-related liver problems can further impact kidney health.
Nutrition and Kidney Disease, Stages 1-5 (Not on Dialysis)
Additionally, the stomach, large intestine, esophagus, and even the mouth can absorb small amounts of ethyl alcohol 21. See a doctor or therapist if you feel you’re dependent on alcohol or if it’s interfering with your life in some way. Your doctor may prescribe kidney medication or recommend programs in your area to help you. Treat gastritis by avoiding alcohol, pain medications, and recreational drugs. Your doctor https://ecosoberhouse.com/ may prescribe proton pump inhibitors or H2 antagonists to reduce the production of stomach acid. See your doctor to treat kidney stones or a kidney infection if they are the cause.
- In addition, alcohol can disrupt hormones that affect kidney function.
- But there’s plenty of research to back up the notion that alcohol does lead to weight gain in general.
- In other studies, the researchers used serum creatinine or eGFR to ascertain the kidney function of patients; however, they are not ideal in many drinkers, especially in those with extremely low or high muscle mass due to chronic alcoholism 123.
- 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.
- The kidneys have an important job as a filter for harmful substances.
One of the most important considerations about how alcohol affects the kidneys alcohol in a renal diet is the fact that alcohol is a fluid. You might wonder if you can continue to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or your favorite craft IPA. The answer will depend on a few things, including your current health. There are no specific studies suggesting that certain types of alcohol are worse on the kidneys than others. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), a person should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms consistent with kidney disease. It is an investment in the lives of children and adults fighting kidney disease.
- If the body does not pass the stone, a person can develop a severe infection or blockage.
- This doubles your risk of developing chronic kidney disease or long-term kidney damage.
- In fact, alcoholism is a serious problem in Asia, where 10.6–23.67% of men and 1.84–5.3% of women have a history of excessive alcohol consumption 3–9.
- Jen Hernandez is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in renal nutrition.
- These changes in fluid volume, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure may have stimulated the activity of hormones to return body fluid volume and composition back to normal, which occurred soon after consumption.
- Chronic kidney damage is often progressive, requiring dialysis every one to three days to remove toxins that build up in your body and keep you alive.
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. One reason alcohol may affect the kidneys is through acute kidney injury. This may result from high levels of toxins leading to tissue injury and inflammation. Association between total alcohol intake and rapid decline in kidney function (odds ratios) with three levels of adjustment in relation to baseline alcohol consumption among 5729 participants. In summary, there is no exact evidence that alcohol consumption aggravates the state of CKD or increases all-cause mortality in CKD, and the protective effect of abstinence on such patients is unclear. First, many studies are based on patients’ routine health checkups, as annual health examinations do not allow researchers to evaluate any fluctuation in serum creatinine and other biomarkers.
Support kidney patients affected by Hurricanes Milton & Helene
WebMD also recommends getting tested regularly, especially if you have a higher chance of developing kidney disease than the general population. Healthy kidneys ensure that such proteins stay out of a normal urine flow; kidneys suffering from chronic alcohol abuse, on the other hand, cannot stop proteins (like albumin) from “leaking” into urine. The National Kidney Foundation warns that albuminuria can be an early sign of kidney disease, which will require nephrology treatment. Although the mechanism of alcoholic myopathy is not fully understood, it is likely that disruption of mitochondria-related energy homeostasis is important in promoting muscle cell (myocyte) injury (Eisner et al. 2014).