Can Alcohol Cause Kidney Failure?

Robert Gerchalk

Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.

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Can Alcoholism Cause Kidney Failure?

Alcohol is a toxin that can damage many organs in the body, including the kidneys. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that can lead to kidney failure.

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste from the blood. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the body and can be fatal.

Alcoholism can cause kidney failure by damaging the kidneys. Alcohol can cause inflammation and scarring of the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage and eventually failure.

Treatment for alcoholism and kidney failure often includes abstinence from alcohol, as well as medications and dialysis.

Kidney failure is a serious consequence of alcoholism. Alcoholism can cause both acute and chronic kidney problems. Acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual deterioration of kidney function over time.

Alcoholism can lead to CKD through a variety of mechanisms, including direct toxicity to the kidney tissue, high blood pressure, and inflammation. Alcohol can also make other underlying health conditions worse, like diabetes or high blood pressure, which can in turn lead to kidney damage.

If you have alcoholism, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Treatment can help you stop drinking and improve your overall health, which may help reduce the risk of developing kidney failure. If you already have CKD, treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life.