The men were found to have high levels of a protein called albuminuria in their urine, which is indicative of kidney failure. However, they were also found to have improved kidney function compared to non-drinkers as measured by the “estimated glomerular filtration rate” (eGFR) — a standard test used to determine kidney function. Heavy drinking can also cause liver disease, which makes your kidneys have to work harder.
Treating kidney pain at home
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. One form of alcohol abuse that contributes to kidney disease is binge drinking, usually defined as consuming four or five drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes a person’s blood alcohol content to rise to dangerous levels, which in turn causes the kidneys to lose their function so much, the term for this is acute kidney injury.
The Function of the Kidneys
High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease, and heavy drinking can raise your risk. When blood pressure is elevated, it puts extra strain on the kidneys’ filtering units, leading to damage over time. It’s well-established that consuming https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol regularly or in excess has long-term effects on your health, especially the health of your liver and kidneys. Still, if you’ve ever woken up after drinking with pain in your back or side, it might surprise you to learn that your kidneys could be the source of your discomfort.
What causes kidney pain after drinking alcohol?
Problems affecting the kidneys can quickly impact the rest of the body, potentially leading to problems in multiple organs. If you want to avoid kidney-related pain after drinking, consider reducing your alcohol intake. Most people can keep their kidneys healthy by remaining hydrated and eating a balanced diet. Some herbs and foods that are commonly used in kidney-cleansing programs may have properties that help enhance kidney health. Alcohol can also damage your kidneys by causing high blood pressure (hypertension).
Alcohol and kidney disease
- As a result, your kidneys will struggle to maintain the proper amount of fluid within your body.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, call us today to learn about our treatment options.
- If you believe you are having kidney pain after drinking alcohol, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
- Meet with your doctor to receive treatment for kidney stones or infections if they are the cause.
- One such complication is impaired vitamin D metabolism (Shankar et al. 2008), which may influence the function of several other organs, creating a vicious cycle.
Regular and excessive alcohol use can also cause high blood pressure (hypertension) for a combination of reasons, such amphetamine addiction treatment as disrupting hormones and affecting the muscles in blood vessels. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. The kidneys also work to maintain the pH balance or the amount of acid in the body. When we vomit, we throw off the pH balance, giving the kidneys even more work.
- Kidney pain can be felt in your upper or lower back or between your lower ribs and your buttocks.
- For example, older adults and women should drink less as their kidneys filter alcohol more slowly.
- There are mixed conclusions about whether or not alcohol causes kidney failure specifically.
- Alcohol can also negatively affect other bodily functions and processes that play a role in the health of the kidneys – for example, blood pressure.
- For example, a person with a UTI that spreads to the kidneys can develop sepsis, a dangerous infection of the blood.
- Kidney pain might be intermittent or constant, and its intensity can range from mild to severe.
Alcohol Misuse and Kidney Injury: Epidemiological Evidence and Potential Mechanisms
Alcohol can also negatively affect other bodily functions and processes that play a role in the health of the kidneys – for example, blood pressure. The ability of kidneys to regenerate from alcohol-related damage hinges on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the duration of alcohol abuse, and alcoholic kidney pain the person’s general health. The NKF adds that most people in the United States who have both liver disease and kidney dysfunction are alcohol dependent. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), a person should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms consistent with kidney disease. According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF), there are five stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with stage 1 representing the earliest and mildest stage and stage 5 representing the most advanced and severe. As the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) explains, the kidneys contain tiny, finger-like structures called nephrons.