Can Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Drink Alcohol

Alcohol is the common thing in our daily life. It is the necessities for communication of human body. For normal people, having proper alcohol intake is good for their health, for example, it can promote the blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood stasis. But for Chronic Kidney Disease patients, whether they can drink alcohol? Today, we will have a detailed introduction about the relationship between alcohol and CKD patients.

Moderate alcohol drinking may be okay for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are not on dialysis. However, it’s best to first check with your nephrologist or renal dietitian to find out if alcohol is safe for you. If you’re able to drink alcohol safely, your healthcare team will advise you on the types and amounts that are right for you.

If you’re on dialysis, drinking alcohol may be allowable, but it must be counted within your normal fluid allowance and diet, and medicines must be taken into consideration. Talk to your doctor or dietitian before you drink any alcohol.
For those with diabetes and CKD, alcohol may be safe to drink if you have your blood sugar level under control. After getting the okay to drink from your doctor or dietitian, it is recommended that you drink with food. Alcohol on an empty stomach can cause blood sugar levels to drop in those with diabetes. Additional ingredients in mixed drinks may add carbohydrate that must be considered. You will also have to fit alcohol into your meal plan.

Alcohol has no nutritional benefit, but it does have calories which can add up quickly. Take this into consideration when planning your daily menus.
Some medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, may interact with alcohol. and cause the medicines not to work properly. There are other medicines that may cause your blood alcohol level to rise. Check drug labels and ask your pharmacist or doctor to review your medications to make sure alcohol will not be harmful with your medication.

Drinking alcohol can generally be done safely in moderation, even if you have CKD, polycystic kidney disease, end stage renal disease (ESRD) or diabetes.

However, if you have high blood pressure, you should pay more attention to the things you drink. And you should check your body regularly and consult your doctor whether your renal dietitian is safe for you to drink alcohol. And if you want to know more information about the CKD and alcohol knowledge, you can send email to kidneyfight@hotmail.com, we will reply you as soon as possible.