Does Drinking Alcohol Hurt Nephrotic Syndrome

Some nephrotic syndrome patients will have nausea, vomiting after they drink alcohol, so does drinking alcohol is harmful to nephrotic syndrome? Should it be prohibited?

Drinking alcohol does have some harms to nephrotic syndrome. Of cause, having small amount of alcohol is beneficial to the body, but the healthy amount of alcohol is only several grams per day which can not be well controlled, therefore it is recommended by nephrologists that nephrotic syndrome patients should better get rid of alcohol.

Drinking alcohol can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and worsen renal ischemia and hypoxia which is not good for the recovery of renal damages. We know that nephrotic syndrome is caused by deposition of immune complexes and inflammations in the kidneys. Renal intrinsic cells are damaged and renal functions decline, as a result, abnormal amount of proteins pass through glomerular filtration membrane and leak into urine. Drinking alcohol can worsen renal damages and induce the relapse of illness conditions.

Alcohol can affect nitrogen balance in the body and increase the decomposition of proteins and further elevate the level of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. This will definitely increase kidneys’ burden.

Nephrotic syndrome patients often have high blood pressure and HLP (hyperlipidaemia). Drinking alcohol can cause gain of body weight and reduced synthesis of hepatic glycogen, therefore those that have obesity, hypertension, nephrotic syndrome and hyperlipidaemia should avoid any alcoholic drinks, weather it is white spirit, wine or beer.

Over-drinking of alcohol can affect appetite and induce lack of various nutritions and in serious conditions will even cause alcoholic cirrhosis. Besides, alcohol can also add extra burdens to the heart.

Actually drinking alcohol has harms to the whole body. Long term drinking alcohol can cause anemia, platelet disorder and various hemorrhage; it can cause gastrointestinal malabsorption, malnutrition; the excretion of vitamin B6 will increase and vitamin B1, B2 and folic acid will be wastes by the body; alcohol can also worsen hyperlipidaemia and atherosis.

Besides avoiding alcohol, nephrotic syndrome patients should pay more attention to prevent infections. Due to low immunity, patients are very vulnerable to various infections which can worsen renal functions and induce relapse of proteinuria, swelling, therefore early prevention and timely treatment are very important for protecting kidney functions and lowering the recurrent rate of nephrotic syndrome.