Excessive alcohol use has been related to a number of health issues, such as liver disease and an increased risk of some malignancies (in addition to the hazards associated with impaired driving and unintentional accidents while inebriated).
By filtering your blood, your kidneys remove dangerous toxins. Alcohol is one of those substances. Alcohol can alter how your kidneys work and reduce their capacity to filter your blood. Your kidneys perform several other crucial tasks in addition to filtering blood.
Maintaining the proper water balance in your body is one of these tasks. Your kidneys' capacity to accomplish this is hampered by alcohol. The drying impact of alcohol on the body can interfere with the regular operation of cells and organs, including the kidneys.
Your blood pressure may be affected by drinking too much alcohol. High blood pressure is more common in those who drink excessively. Alcohol can also have an impact on blood pressure meds. Kidney disease is frequently caused by high blood pressure. Your risk of developing high blood pressure might increase if you consume more than two drinks each day.
Liver disease can also be brought on by chronic drinking. This contributes to the kidney's function. In order for your kidneys to effectively filter your blood, the rate of blood flow to them is typically maintained at a set level. This crucial task of balance is compromised by liver illness. In fact, the majority of individuals in the United States who have both kidney impairment and liver disease are alcoholics.
Alcohol: How Much Is Too Much?
In general, healthy individuals are advised to limit their alcohol consumption to one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two for men. Heavy drinking is defined as having three or more drinks a day (or seven drinks per week) for women and four or more drinks a day (or 14 drinks per week) for males. When you consume more than four or five drinks at once, you are binge drinking.
Even in moderation, drinking is not always safe. Find out if drinking alcohol is okay for you by speaking with your doctor.
It's best for some folks not to drink at all. If you take any medications or have a medical condition that might be impacted by alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether drinking is safe for you. Be particularly cautious around women, the elderly, and persons with smaller frames. Naturally, it is advised against drinking alcohol while pregnant.
Other Health Risks of Chronic Heavy Alcohol Consumption:
Damage to the Liver
Alcohol is a poison, and your liver's purpose is to eliminate it from your body. However, if you drink too much too quickly, your liver may not be able to keep up. Cirrhosis is caused by the death of liver cells caused by alcohol. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption may also result in alcoholic fatty liver disease, a symptom that your liver isn't working as effectively as it should.
Cardiovascular Disease
You may be aware of the risks associated with blood clots and excessive levels of lipids and cholesterol in your body. Both are made more likely by alcohol. Heavy drinkers are also more likely to have difficulty pumping blood to their hearts and may have a higher risk of dying from heart disease, according to studies.
Problems with the Brain and Nervous System
Alcohol alters the communication routes in the brain. This makes it difficult for you to think and talk effectively, recall information, make judgments, and move your body. Heavy drinking can also lead to mental health problems such as depression and dementia. You might sustain excruciating nerve damage that lasts long after you sober up.
Anemia
This occurs when your body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen. This may cause ulcers, inflammation, and other issues. Too much alcohol may also make you more prone to skip meals, depriving your body of iron.
Gout
The painful accumulation of uric acid in the joints causes this kind of arthritis. Gout can be caused by consuming too much purine-rich food, which includes red meat, seafood, and alcohol, particularly beer and liquor.
Also read: Can Gout Cause Kidney Disease?
Can Kidneys Recover From Alcohol Damage?
Acute kidney damage may normally recover on its own if identified early. However, some kidney damage is irreparable. Medication and nutrition are frequently used to treat kidney disease. If you have kidney disease that leads to renal failure, you will require frequent dialysis or a kidney transplant.
What are the Symptoms of Alcohol-Related Kidney Damage?
While alcohol can cause kidney damage, there are no alcohol-specific signs of kidney damage. However, kidney damage caused by alcohol or other conditions causes a number of symptoms. Kidney injury symptoms may include:
- Urine with a foamy texture
- Urine that is red or pink
- Leg and/or foot swelling
- Itchy, dry skin
- Urinating more frequently or in greater quantities than usual
- Leg and/or foot swelling
While these symptoms may suggest the presence of kidney disease, they cannot be used to diagnose it. A doctor's examination will be required to assess whether kidney disease has occurred. If you are having any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor as soon as possible so that the harm can be controlled.
How to Get Help
Get treatment if you believe you have an alcohol problem. Speak with your doctor, therapist, or addiction specialist. Find online support groups. Some people are able to stop the habit on their own. However, if you believe you require more assistance, you should contact your local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. Learn more about outpatient alcohol therapy.
0 Comments
Post a Comment
Share your views