Some people may need to avoid alcohol entirely—especially those with kidney, liver, or heart conditions. Sparkling water, without added sugars or artificial sweeteners, is generally a much healthier option than soda. However, some sparkling waters are acidic, so moderation is still recommended. Early signs may include increased frequency of urination, especially at night, foamy urine, and swelling in the ankles and feet. These symptoms can be subtle, so regular check-ups with a doctor are crucial. Even occasional consumption can contribute to long-term kidney problems.

Signs of Kidney Damage From Alcohol

• Acute kidney injury is a type of kidney failure that lasts only a few weeks.
• If caught early enough, kidney damage from alcohol may be reversible.
• Binge drinking can cause severe increases in blood pressure, while heavy drinking over time causes chronically high blood pressure.
• Regular excessive drinking doubles the risk of chronic kidney disease, which doesn’t disappear over time.
• The kidneys can become enlarged due to thickened glomerulus tissue and swollen kidney tubules.
• Anyone noticing these symptoms, particularly in the context of regular alcohol use, should seek medical evaluation.

Our trained professionals are here to support you in any part of your sobriety journey. Alcohol consumption can affect your overall health and consuming excessive amounts can have dangerous results. Increased alcohol consumption can also lead to can drinking cause kidney pain alcoholism and addiction. Alcohol can also lead to liver disease, which slows the flow of blood to the kidneys.

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Heavy alcohol use may exacerbate or worsen inflammatory responses in the kidneys, making the development of glomerulonephritis more likely. Chronic inflammation can hamper the kidney’s filtration capacity, sometimes leading to permanent kidney damage and progressing to chronic kidney disease. While one diet soda per day did not show a significant impact on kidney function, drinking two or more diet sodas appeared to cause problems. In a study of over 3,000 women, those who drank several diet sodas a day experienced a 30% greater reduction in kidney function over 20 years. Additionally, in a separate study of 8,000 individuals, more than 10% of those who drank two sodas per day developed proteinuria, a risk factor for end-stage kidney disease. Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate your body and force your Sober living house kidneys to work harder.

• The symptoms of a bladder infection are pain while urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, frequent urination, foul-smelling urine, and cramping or pain in the lower back or abdomen.
• Alcohol also can worsen protein in urine, which is one of the earliest measurable signs of kidney filtration issues.
• This heightened metabolic activity and filtration demand can strain the kidneys, contributing to discomfort or pain.
• Kidney stones are hardened deposits of salt and minerals that do not filter properly through the kidneys.
• These scenarios arise from stones, infection, trauma, and more.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Pain from Drinking Too Much Water?

If quitting alcohol is difficult but essential for your health, we are here to help. We take a compassionate approach to treatment and ensure medical stabilization along the way. Beyond a one-time consult, the app tracks symptoms, adjusts plans, and keeps you connected with clinicians—an ongoing partner in kidney health. Only about one in three people who feel pain in the “kidney area” actually have a kidney source; the rest feel muscle strain, spinal issues, or intestinal gas. Kidney pain is typically deep, one-sided, and unaffected by movement, whereas muscle pain sharpens when you twist or press on the area.

Pain in the kidneys could also be an indicator of kidney cancer, bleeding in your kidneys, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), or blood clots in your kidneys. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your urologist if pain is persistent or severe, or if you are experiencing the symptoms of a kidney infection. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption may have serious health consequences for many parts of the body, including the kidneys. Understanding the link between alcohol use and its risk to the kidneys is essential for making informed health decisions.

Studies show that heavy drinking—defined as more than 14 drinks per week for men and 7 for women—doubles the risk of developing kidney stones compared to moderate or non-drinkers. Chronic alcohol use poses a more severe threat to kidney function. Long-term consumption can lead to kidney disease, including alcoholic nephropathy, a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood effectively. Studies show that individuals who consume more than 28 grams of alcohol daily (roughly two standard drinks) for over five years are at higher risk.

Alcohol and Your Kidneys

When you drink too much water without replenishing electrolytes properly, these minerals get diluted. If you still have further doubts and questions like “Is drinking water at night bad for kidneys” then you must contact the best urologist doctor in Patna. This is because medicines are processed through the kidneys and it needs more water to flush out the waste products created by these medications.

• While the harmful effects of alcohol on the kidneys are a lesser-discussed topic, they are no less significant.
• However, these symptoms do not always mean you have kidney cancer — many other health problems can also cause these symptoms.

A blockage of blood to the kidney is called a renal infarction or a renal vein thrombosis. This happens when the blood supply to and from the kidney is suddenly slowed or stopped. If you have a large cyst, your doctor may recommend a simple procedure to remove it. Afterward, you’ll likely need to take a dose of antibiotics to prevent an infection. A large kidney cyst can cause a painful complication called hydronephrosis.

This type of urinary tract infection begins in your bladder or urethra and spreads to one or both kidneys. If you have a kidney infection, drinking alcohol will increase your discomfort. Hard deposits of minerals can build up in your kidneys over time. Kidney stones can range from very tiny (smaller than a grain of sand) to larger than a pearl. Since alcohol causes you to urinate more often than usual and dehydrates you, heavy drinking can increase your chances of developing a kidney stone and lead to kidney pain.