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When we think about the long-term health consequences of chronic drinking, liver disease is the first thing that comes to mind. While true, that alcoholism is toxic to the liver and causes serious disease, it also damages the kidneys. What are the first signs of kidney damage from alcohol? Read on to learn about the impact of alcohol on the kidneys.
5 Ways Alcohol Affects the Kidneys
The kidneys are tasked with filtering waste from the blood while maintaining the right balance of electrolytes and chemicals. They also help to keep blood pressure regulated. Alcohol disrupts these important functions in a variety of ways, including:
- Dehydration. Alcohol use causes the body to become dehydrated unless the person makes a conscious effort to drink enough water. Dehydration can cause decreased blood flow to the kidneys.
- Increases blood pressure. Alcohol causes the blood vessels to constrict, which puts added pressure on the kidneys as they attempt to remove fluid from the blood. The constricted vessels obstruct this process, resulting in high blood pressure.
- Damages small blood vessels. Alcohol can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, which reduces their ability to filter waste effectively.
- Causes structural damage. Alcohol alters the structure of the kidneys by thickening the glomerulus tissue and by enlarging the kidney tubule.
- Acute kidney injury. Binge drinking can cause alcohol poisoning, which causes a sudden decline in kidney function resulting in acute injury.
What are the First Signs of Kidney Damage from Alcohol Abuse?
They say that kidney disease is a silent killer because it isn’t until late-stage kidney failure that symptoms are pronounced. Up until moderate kidney damage, there may be no symptoms at all. Someone with an alcohol problem may not become aware of the kidney damage until they get blood drawn as part of a physical exam.
If you are wondering what the first signs of kidney damage from alcohol look like, they might include:
- Pink or red-tinged urine
- Swelling in legs and feet
- Foamy urine
- Frequent urination
- Urinating smaller amounts than usual
- Dry, itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Decrease in appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Decreased energy
- Lower back pain
- High blood pressure
- Weakness and fatigue
What are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol to the Kidneys?
Long-term damage to kidneys caused by chronic alcohol abuse includes:
- Chronic kidney disease. When alcohol has caused the kidneys to become damaged, they stop functioning normally. This is termed chronic kidney disease, which is staged based on the severity. End-stage kidney disease requires dialysis, which is a medical procedure performed three times a week in which a machine filters the blood.
- Glomerulonephritis. When the kidney’s filtering system becomes inflamed or damaged due to drinking, it causes an autoimmune response resulting in inflammation. These may lead to short-term or long-term kidney damage.
- Diabetes and kidney damage. Not only does alcohol abuse increase the risk of diabetes, but if a person has diabetes, drinking can make it harder to manage.
Signs You Have Alcohol Use Disorder
Understanding the symptoms of alcohol use disorder can help you seek medical attention if you have the early signs of kidney damage. The more of these symptoms that are present, the more severe the alcohol use disorder tends to be:
- Failed attempts to limit or quit alcohol consumption
- Drinking more alcohol over a longer period than intended
- Increased tolerance to alcohol, which leads to higher consumption
- Spending a great deal of time drinking or recovering from effects of drinking
- Neglecting family or work obligations
- Engaging in high-risk behaviors
- Increasingly relying on alcohol for getting to sleep or relieving stress
- Continue to drink, regardless of the consequences
- Having withdrawal symptoms
Can the Kidneys Heal After Alcohol Abuse?
Is it possible for the kidney damage to be reversed? In cases of acute kidney damage, such as due to binge drinking, the kidneys can heal. Once the person quits drinking and sustains sobriety, the kidneys begin to restore functioning.
If chronic heavy drinking has led to chronic kidney failure, restoring kidney function is not a given. By quitting drinking, the damage is arrested and stopped from progressing, but in many cases the kidney function does not return to normal. However, with continued abstinence, this study shows that blood electrolytes, kidney tubular function, and blood hormones did rebound in some patients.
Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder
To break the grip of alcohol use disorder and restore your kidney health and general wellness, it is necessary to complete a rehab program. Making lasting behavioral changes in recovery is accomplished by participating in a coordinated program of psychotherapy and other activities:
- Medical detox. The alcohol detox team closely monitors the withdrawal symptoms as you progress through the detox process, providing medications as needed.
- Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are two highly effective modalities for treatment of alcoholism. Therapy is provided in individual sessions, group sessions, and family sessions.
- Education. Recovery skills and relapse prevention planning are covered in classes, in addition to other life skills.
- Holistic therapy. Holistic therapies include yoga, meditation, art therapy, equine therapy, and more..
- 12-step program. 12-steps of A.A. are helpful in early recovery.
How to Sustain Recovery and Let the Kidneys Heal
Recovery doesn’t end when you complete the rehab program. In fact, the real work of recovery begins the day you complete the program and return to life in the real world. For this reason, aftercare is an essential component in recovery planning.
Three essential aspects of aftercare include:
- Outpatient therapy sessions. Ongoing outpatient counseling is also an essential part of aftercare, especially helpful in relapse prevention.
- Recovery meetings. Participation in a 12-step or similar recovery community provides peer support and is a good resource for acquiring new sober friendships while receiving ongoing support in recovery.
- Sober living housing. Transitioning back to normal daily life can be tenuous while you’re still learning recovery techniques. A sober living environment allows you to establish healthy living habits within a supportive setting.
Capo by the Sea Luxury Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder and Dual Diagnosis
Capo by the Sea is a premium residential rehab located in a beautiful coastal community that provides comprehensive treatment for alcoholism. If you are asking, “What are the first signs of kidney damage from alcohol?” we can provide the answers. For more information about our pet-friendly rehab, please reach out today at (866) 491-4426.
