Does Drinking Wine Cause Kidney Stones?

10/05/2022

Does Drinking Wine Cause Kidney Stones?

Whether you’re talking about a glass of wine with dinner or if you’re suffering from an alcohol disorder, drinking can have a wide range of health-related impacts on your life. While most people know about alcohol’s links to liver disease, heart conditions, and more, a potential link with kidney stones can often go unnoticed. However, does drinking wine cause kidney stones, and if so, what can you do about it?

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard clumps of waste composed of the chemicals most often found in urine. Commonly made of calcium oxalate, these salt levels increase when your body becomes dehydrated. When someone suffers from this particular condition, they will often feel severe pain and any of the following symptoms of kidney stones:

Severe Lower Back Pain
Nausea
Vomiting

Bloody Urine
Fever
Chills

Since our kidneys are responsible for cleansing our systems of residual toxins and substances in our renal system and the rest of the body, alcohol consumption may directly impact the formation of kidney stones.

What Can Cause Kidney Stones?

When it comes to kidney stones, knowing the possible causes can help you figure out if you have a quick lifestyle change that can help reduce the risk. Some of the most common causes include:

Past kidney stones
Dehydration
High-protein diets
Obesity
Having had a gastric bypass
Polycystic kidney disease
Urine contains high levels of cystine, oxalate, uric acid, or calcium
Swelling or irritation of your bowels or joints
Certain medicines like diuretics or calcium-based antacids

Can Disordered Wine Drinking Contribute to Kidney Stones?

While there hasn’t been significant research linking wine, beer, and alcohol consumption directly with the formation of kidney stones, they are linked to a variety of additional health problems. Some associated health problems with heavy wine consumption include kidney damage, disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune systems, and kidney failure. These issues can all affect your renal system and potentially trigger the formation of kidney stones.

When someone overindulges in alcohol, their body becomes dehydrated (a leading cause of kidney stones). When we don’t drink enough water, our body’s ability to remove waste from the blood becomes impaired and can potentially be traced back to the formation of kidney stones.

Let Our Alcohol Treatment Center in Mahanoy City, PA, Help With Your Recovery

Whether you have experienced a sharp increase in the frequency of kidney stones recently or want to limit the chances of developing, giving your renal system a break from the damage caused by alcoholism can be a good starting point. Our alcohol rehab programs have helped countless people receive the care and support they need to make positive changes in their lives.

Getting help for an alcohol use disorder doesn’t have to be a shameful experience. Our staff has worked with countless patients from all walks of life who have battled various conditions and disorders while receiving the care and support they deserve. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Reach out to Silver Pines Treatment Center to learn more about our treatment programs today.