Alcohol kidney disease
When it comes to drinking alcohol, for anyone who can drink it safely,
moderation is the key. Excess drinking can cause many medical problems. It can
cause heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure and kidney disease, in
addition to many other medical problems. Medical problems from drinking happen
more rapidly in women than in men. Drinking is also more dangerous for older
people than for younger people.
Drinking alcohol can cause the kidneys to increase urinary output. This can
lead to dehydration. More than two drinks a day can cause a rise in blood
pressure.7, 8 The carbohydrate load from drinking can cause obesity. This could
increase the risk of diabetes and diabetic kidney disease. Drinking can
interfere with the blood chemistries and increase the ability of the body to
protect the kidneys.9 Many people who drink are more likely to smoke. Smoking
also causes kidney disease.
Complications of Alcohol kidney disease
In addition to alcohol, calories and fluid, drinks containing alcohol must be
evaluated for sodium, potassium and phosphorus content. Often the added
ingredients in mixed drinks add undesirable amounts of these minerals. The chart
below provides nutrient information on some common alcohol containing
beverages.
How to prevent Alcohol kidney disease
The limits are different for men and women, because men usually weigh more
and alcohol is processed differently by the sexes. Women tend to have a stronger
reaction to alcohol. One reason is that women have less water in their bodies,
so the alcohol becomes more concentrated. The risk for alcohol-related diseases
(such as liver disease) is also higher in women than in men. There are two way
to prevent Alcohol kidney disease as follow:
1. One drink per day for women and older people.
2. Two drinks per day for men.
