Alcohol & the Urinary System | Tennessee Valley Urology Center
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an annual campaign to draw attention to the causes and effects of alcoholism and equip communities to deal with drinking problems. We figure that makes this a great time to consider the impacts the overconsumption of alcohol can have on the urinary system.
In the short-term, alcohol can increase urine production and cause bladder irritation.
Fortunately, most people who drink only have a drink or two infrequently and that increased need to visit the restroom may be the only impact to the urinary system. However, for those who regularly go to excess, defined as four or more alcoholic drinks per day, or consume more than 14 drinks per week for men or seven per week for women, the impacts can last long after the alcohol has left your system, particularly for the kidneys.
Alcohol’s Affects on the Kidneys
Studies show more than two-thirds of American adults drink at least on occasion, and anywhere from a third to 40% of them overdo it from time to time or on a regular basis.
You’re likely already aware overconsumption of alcohol can cause liver disease and cirrhosis, but you might not know how it impacts the kidneys.
The kidneys serve the important function of filtering harmful substances from the body so they can be excreted in urine. That includes ethanol, the biochemical compound in alcoholic drinks that causes intoxication.
An excessive amount of ethanol in the body can take a toll on the kidneys in several ways, including:
- Making them work too hard, which can reduce their long-term ability to filter the blood
- Dehydrating the cells of the kidneys
- Impacting hormones that control kidney function
- Reducing their ability to regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body
- Reducing production of hormones that regulate other bodily processes, including blood pressure regulation, red blood cell production and calcium metabolism
And even those issues excessive alcohol can cause the liver can negatively impact the kidneys. That’s because blood doesn’t move between the kidneys and a liver that isn’t functioning properly as it should.
That’s why liver and kidney failure often occur together.
If you need help kicking a habit of over-consuming alcohol or you know someone else who does, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
No matter the issue or the cause, the doctors at Tennessee Valley Urology Center are ready to provide compassionate, expert care for every condition impacting the urinary system. If we can help you, please give us a call today to schedule an appointment.