RTA Full Form

Sudeshna chakrabartiUpdated On: July 17, 2023 05:27 pm IST

RTA full form is Renal Tubular Acidosis which is a medical problem that affects the human body’s acid creation due to the kidney’s failure to acidify the urine properly. As blood drains from the kidney, the filtrate passes through tubules made up of nephron which allows solutes to exchange before draining urine into the bladder.

What is the Full Form of RTA?

As mentioned above the full form of RTA is Renal Tubular Acidosis and is a medical condition in which the kidney doesn’t properly produce acid which is required to maintain the balance of the body. According to doctors, kidneys play an important role in maintaining and regulating the levels of acid and bicarbonate in the blood. During RTA the kidneys fail to maintain the flow which leads to excess of acid in the blood this type of condition is known as metabolic acidosis.

What are the Types of RTA ?

The following are the types of Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA full form)

  • Distal RTA: This is considered among the most common types of RTA which occurs when distal tubules present in kidneys fail to reabsorb bicarbonate from the urine. At last, it results in an excess amount of acid in the blood which leads to metabolic acidosis.
  • Proximal RTA: It occurs when proximal tubules present in the kidneys fail to reabsorb filtered bicarbonate from the urine, which results in the excess amount of acid in the blood and metabolic acidosis.
  • Hyperkalemic RTA: This RTA is caused due to high levels of potassium in the blood which can be caused by disruption in the functioning of distal tubules present in the kidney leading to an excessive amount of potassium in urine and insufficient amount of acid draining out.
  • Hypokalmic RTA: This is caused due to low level of potassium in the world which can be caused by a defect in tubules made up of proximal presented in the kidney, which result in potassium deficiency in urine
  • Type IV RTA: This occurs due to normal or low levels of potassium present in the blood and can also be caused due to deficiency of aldosterone which is a hormone used to regulate the balance of electrolyte in the body.·      

What are the Symptoms of RTA?

Below mentioned are the common symptoms which can cause Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA full form)

1. Muscle weakness and fatigue: It occurs due to an excess amount of acid in the blood.

2. Lethargy: Another major sign of RTA is tiredness and lack of energy.

3. Kidney stones: RTA can lead to risk like kidney stones  which is occurs due to the excess amount of acid in urine

4. Bone abnormalities: RTA can also cause changes in the way the body handles calcium which leads to bone density and fracture risk increases.

5. Urine pH changes:  It causes the pH of urine to become either more or less acidic than the normal value 

Some of the other symptoms of RTA includes:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Paralysis
  • Change in weight
  • Pain in abdominal area
  • Loss of appetite

What causes RTA?

The following are the reasons which cause RTA in different categories

1. Type 1: This is also known as Distal RTA which is caused due to deficiency in the enzyme which helps the kidney to excrete acid. This RTA type may be inherited such as people suffering from cell anemia or syndrome. .

2. Type 2: This is known as proximal RTA which is caused due to proximal tubules present in the kidney. They are responsible for reabsorbing substances back into the bloodstream. This type includes irregular glucose, bicarbonate, phosphate excretion.

3. Type 4: Hyperkalemic is another name for type 4 RTA, full form of which is Renal Tubular Acidosis, is caused due to deficiency of enzymes in the kidney which helps in the excretion of potassium.

How to Treat RTA ?

As RTA, the full form of which is Renal Tubular Acidosis, is a serious health issue therefore it is vital to get complete information on the different treatment methods for RTA, let’s check them out.

1.  Diet: You should consult a dietician for a better diet plan. Normally people take foods like fruits and vegetables which are high in alkaline and avoid the intake of acidic foods and alcohol.

2.  Medications: Consult a doctor, they will prescribe tablets such as Diuretics, Potassium supplements and Vitamin D supplements which help in maintaining the level of acid and removing the excess of acid through urination.

3. Sodium bicarbonate: If a person is suffering from type 1 or type 4, they are recommended to take sodium bicarbonate which helps in neutralizing acid in the body

4. Kidney transplant: This situation comes when a person is not getting relief from medicines.

5. Potassium Supplements: If an individual is suffering from RTA type 4 doctor will consult to take potassium supplements which help in maintaining the level of potassium in the body.

What are the Complications Due to RTA?

The following are some complications which can be visible in the body due to RTA

1. Kidney damage: Accumulation of acid can lead to kidney damage.

2. Osteoporosis: RTA can cause osteoporosis which results in the weakening of bones which increases the risk of fractures.

3. Kidney stones: RTA can also cause an increase in the concentration of substances in urine like calcium and oxalate which further leads to the formation of stones in the kidney.

4.  Growth problems: Children suffering from RTA witnesses slower growth and development.

5. Urinary Infections: RTA can cause infections in bladder, urethra due to this the person feels pain mostly during urination.

6. Bone diseases: RTA can also result in developing bone diseases such as cancer in bone, density of bone, infection in bone.

7. Dental diseases: RTA may also result in dental diseases which include cavity, decay of teeth, and oral cancer.

8. Irregularity in heartbeats: RTA sometimes causes irregularity in heartbeats which is serious if it continues for longtime. RTA can cause cardiac arrest in that situation the heart stops working .

Interesting Facts Related to RTA

Below mentioned are some facts related to RTA

  • Metabolic acidosis arises in people who have weak urinary acidification
  •  Blood pH value under 7.35 causes RTA
  •  RTA is of three types that include Type I, II & IV
  • Metabolic acidosis generated with the help of RTA is common anion gap acidosis

FAQs

What is the full form of RTA?

The full form of RTA is Renal Tubular Acidosis

 

Which type of RTA is common?

As per the data, mainly patients are suffering from Type IV RTA across the world

 

How serious is RTA?

RTA is ranked 11th among the list of most common disease which causes death

 

How is the diagnosis done for RTA?

The RTA is diagnosis is done by collecting samples of serum electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and pH value is evaluated 

 

Is RTA a life threatening disease?

Though the symptoms when detected at an early stage can be treated, any complications can become life threatening.

 

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