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Can Excessive Alcohol Consumption Cause Lower Back Pain?
Question: I’m experiencing lower back pain these last three nights and suspect it’s due to my drinking...several drinks each night...lower back as maybe kidneys?
How do I treat the pain and should I quit drinking altogether?
How do I treat the pain and should I quit drinking altogether?
Brief Answer:
Warm compress, topical pain killers.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In terms of the solid organs, alcohol most commonly affects the liver though it can damage the liver in some persons as well.
Kidney related pain would not normally occur mainly at night though everyone is different.
It is possible that the pain is due to an effect of the alcohol on the muscles or joints in the lower back.
Alcohol use can sometimes cause back pain or pain involving other muscles/joints.
It can cause osteoporosis which results in weaker bones and it can also affect the muscles in the area. In some persons, alcohol use can damage the muscles, the extent can vary.
It would be best to discontinue alcohol use completely for now. If you do not have a history of alcohol abuse then you may be able to restart in a few weeks but if you think that there may be an issue then it would be best to stop completely.
A warm compress to the back would help with pain relief (use 2 to 3 times daily for 15 to 20 mins) along with topical medication such as voltaren gel.
The oral medication would depend on the state of the kidneys and liver which can be checked by blood tests.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Warm compress, topical pain killers.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In terms of the solid organs, alcohol most commonly affects the liver though it can damage the liver in some persons as well.
Kidney related pain would not normally occur mainly at night though everyone is different.
It is possible that the pain is due to an effect of the alcohol on the muscles or joints in the lower back.
Alcohol use can sometimes cause back pain or pain involving other muscles/joints.
It can cause osteoporosis which results in weaker bones and it can also affect the muscles in the area. In some persons, alcohol use can damage the muscles, the extent can vary.
It would be best to discontinue alcohol use completely for now. If you do not have a history of alcohol abuse then you may be able to restart in a few weeks but if you think that there may be an issue then it would be best to stop completely.
A warm compress to the back would help with pain relief (use 2 to 3 times daily for 15 to 20 mins) along with topical medication such as voltaren gel.
The oral medication would depend on the state of the kidneys and liver which can be checked by blood tests.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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