Alittle mix of cocktails, a couple of beers, or onoue or two pegs of whisky on the weekend might not have a serious effect on your kidneys, but drinking too much can cause some serious damage to not only your kidneys but also several other parts of your body. Kidneys, as you know, are an essential organ in your body because they help filter harmful substances and toxins in your system. They are also responsible for maintaining the balance of fluids in your body. This is why, when drinking too much alcohol causes dehydration, it can interfere with the functioning of this organ.
The kidneys have an important job as a filter for harmful substances. One of these substances is alcohol. The kidneys of heavy drinkers have to work harder. Alcohol causes changes in the function of the kidneys and makes them less able to filter the blood. Alcohol also affects the ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body. When alcohol dehydrates (dries out) the body, the drying effect can affect the normal function of cells and organs, including the kidneys. In addition, alcohol can disrupt hormones that affect kidney function.
When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in your body. That can cause swelling in your ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Without treatment, the damage can get worse and your kidneys may eventually stop working. This is serious, and it can be life-threatening.
Alcohol abuse can affect more than the heart and the liver. Chronic alcohol abuse is known to be associated with pathophysiological changes that often result in life-threatening clinical outcomes, e.g., breast and colon cancer, pancreatic disease, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney disease, immune system dysfunction, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and can be as far-reaching as to cause central nervous system disorders.