Image for distal renal tubular acidosis

distal renal tubular acidosis

Distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a condition where the kidneys have trouble removing acid from the blood properly. Normally, the kidneys help maintain the body's acid-base balance by excreting excess acid into the urine. In distal RTA, this process is impaired, leading to a buildup of acid in the blood (acidosis) and a tendency for the urine to be less acidic than normal. This can result in symptoms like fatigue, bone weakness, or growth problems in children. It may also cause kidney stones and can be managed with medications that help correct the acid-base imbalance.