AKI becomes more likely during binge drinking episodes, especially when combined with dehydration from heat, exercise, or inadequate fluid intake. The combination creates a perfect storm where your kidneys simply cannot keep up with the demands placed on them. You might notice that your urine appears darker than Substance abuse usual, has a strong odor, or contains traces of blood that give it a pink or reddish tint. Some people experience burning or discomfort during urination, similar to a urinary tract infection. Alcohol doesn’t just affect your kidneys directly – it disrupts the delicate hormonal systems that help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance throughout your body. Beyond suppressing ADH, alcohol can interfere with other hormones like aldosterone, which helps control sodium and potassium levels.
Treating kidney pain at home
The kidneys are the body’s essential tool for filtering out harmful substances. 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. Meet with your doctor to receive treatment for kidney stones or infections if they are the cause.
- Because alcohol and acetaminophen are both metabolized by the liver, strict adherence to the recommended dosage is necessary to prevent liver toxicity.
- Without adequate blood flow, the kidneys struggle to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
- These medications reduce blood flow to the kidneys, compounding the stress that alcohol already places on these vital organs.
- Kidney pain may be experienced as back pain, but if there is kidney damage resulting from alcohol use, other symptoms may occur.
Alcohol’s Long-Term Effects on Kidneys
Excessive drinking is considered to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ be more than four drinks per day. This doubles your risk of developing chronic kidney disease or long-term kidney damage. Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), a long-term condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function. The likelihood is greater for individuals who already have other risk factors for the disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Smokers who are heavy drinkers have about five times more chance of developing CKD than people who don’t smoke or drink alcohol to excess.
When to visit a doctor
The discomfort may be mild or alcohol and kidney pain severe and manifest on one or both sides of the body. Your urine passes into the ureters through a tubular structure called the renal pelvis. Drinking excessively will lead to excess production of urine that will affect the renal pelvis and cause pain.
AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content. There are many reasons to answer why your kidneys hurt after drinking alcohol. The underlying cause must be accurately diagnosed and treated, as it could indicate a serious condition.
The key is recognizing that persistent kidney pain, especially when accompanied by decreased urination or changes in urine color, requires immediate medical attention. When these systems become imbalanced, your kidneys must work even harder to restore proper fluid distribution and electrolyte concentrations. This additional strain can manifest as pain, particularly in individuals who may already have compromised kidney function without realizing it. Not all forms of kidney disease are preventable, but adopting a healthful lifestyle may reduce the risk of complications, even in people with genetic kidney disorders. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drink, especially if you have a medical condition or take medicines that might be affected by using alcohol.
- Surgery or medication may be needed in certain cases of liver disease.
- TAlthough this is dangerous for the individual as although it can repair itself over time, but for otherssome it can cause long-lasting or even permanent kidney damage.
- Your urine passes into the ureters through a tubular structure called the renal pelvis.
Health Advice
High calcium levels in the urine can predispose individuals to developing calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate kidney stones. More than 80% of kidney stones globally comprise calcium oxalate (CaOx). Alcohol’s diuretic effect can lead to increased urine production within 20 minutes after consumption, contributing to dehydration and electrolyte loss.
Can drinking alcohol cause kidney failure?
Your body has an remarkable ability to heal when given the proper support and care. 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. Kidney pain after drinking alcohol may be immediate, or it can be a dull pain even if the drinking has stopped. Here are some common causes for pain of the kidneys after drinking alcohol. Every time you drink alcohol, your kidneys go into overdrive in their effort to eliminate alcohol from your blood. To make things worse, drinking alcohol also suppresses a hormone called vasopressin, which regulates how often you urinate.