The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter out waste from your blood. The kidneys also maintain the proper balance of fluid and electrolytes in the body.
Though scientists agree that alcohol can play a role in the development of certain types of cancer, kidney cancer isn’t one of them.
However, alcohol consumption can have negative effects on the body and should generally be avoided if you want to keep your kidneys healthy. Kidney disease can also have an indirect link to alcohol consumption.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with kidney cancer, your doctor may suggest certain lifestyle changes as part of your treatment plan. This may include avoiding alcohol. Excess alcohol can have harmful effects on the kidneys or worsen the side effects of your cancer treatment.
Having an occasional glass of alcohol may not cause any harmful effects if your kidney functions regularly. Still, you should talk with your doctor about the safety and impact of drinking alcohol if you already have kidney disease or kidney cancer.
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However, 2012 research shows that alcohol consumption is actually associated with a lower risk of developing kidney cancer. While this might suggest a potential benefit of drinking alcohol, the
Drinking alcohol often can cause kidney damage over time. According to the National Kidney Foundation, regular heavy drinking may double your risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that isn’t curable.
The risk of developing CKD from heavy drinking also increases if you smoke.
The function of the kidneys in the body is to filter harmful substances out of the body. Alcohol is considered one of those harmful substances. While alcohol is mainly metabolized by the liver, some of these substances are released through the kidneys.
So, if you drink alcohol, especially often, the kidneys must work harder to return your blood to its usual state.
Over time, alcohol can damage the kidneys, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
At first, you might not have any symptoms of kidney damage from regular alcohol consumption. As the kidneys become overworked from heavy alcohol consumption, they will be less able to filter blood and maintain the correct water balance in the body.
As a result, you may experience the following symptoms:
Alcohol is also known to dehydrate the body, which can affect the regular function of the kidneys. People who drink too much are also more likely to have high blood pressure. Over time, this can cause damage to your kidneys and result in CKD.
Heavy drinking can also cause liver disease, which also makes your kidneys work harder. Kidney disease may be complicated by liver disease.
Once CKD develops, it can impact nearly every part of the body. If you have CKD, you may eventually require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
If you’re currently taking medications for kidney cancer or are having surgery to remove a kidney (nephrectomy), talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe to have during treatment.
You should also talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Acute kidney damage caused by binge drinking will typically resolve within a few days. The damage can usually be reversed if you stop drinking and allow your kidneys to recover, but it can sometimes cause irreversible damage to the kidneys.
Regular heavy drinking can eventually cause CKD, which can lead to kidney failure. There’s no cure for CKD, but treatment can help relieve symptoms and keep it from getting worse.
Once you have kidney failure, you may require a kidney transplant. Heavy drinking makes it more difficult for you to qualify for a kidney transplant.
If you feel a sharp stabbing pain or a dull ache in your back under the ribcage when you drink alcohol, it’s possible that it’s your kidneys or a kidney stone. It also might be due to an anatomical issue, like a ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Both conditions would need to be evaluated and treated by your doctor.
Alcohol may also indirectly increase your risk of developing a UTI, which can cause kidney or abdominal pain.
Alcohol can worsen the side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, such as nausea, dehydration, diarrhea, and mouth sores.
An occasional drink might be okay, but you should talk with your doctor about drinking alcohol if you’re undergoing treatment for kidney cancer.
Alcohol increases your risk of many types of cancer, including breast, liver, mouth, and colon. However, 2012 research suggests your risk of developing kidney cancer may be lower if you consume alcohol.
It’s unclear why this might occur, but experts warn that the risks of drinking alcohol don’t outweigh this potential benefit.
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If you do choose to drink alcohol, limit your intake to no more than one to two drinks per day. A drink in this instance is equivalent to a 5 oz glass of wine, 12 oz beer, or a single shot (1.5 oz) of 80-proof hard liquor.
Cancer experts strongly recommend not drinking alcohol at all due to its potentially harmful effects on the body. Alcohol is known to increase your risk for several different types of cancer and cause kidney damage over time.
If you have kidney cancer, it’s best to talk with your doctor about moderate drinking. Your doctor can give you advice about whether it is safe to consume alcohol while undergoing cancer treatment.
Last medically reviewed on April 26, 2022
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