BARTTER DISEASE Meaning and
Definition
-
Bartter disease, also known as Bartter syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder that affects the kidneys' ability to reabsorb certain electrolytes. This condition belongs to a group of disorders known as renal salt wasting syndromes.
The disease is named after Dr. Frederic Bartter, an American physician who first described it in 1961. Bartter disease affects both sexes and usually becomes apparent in early childhood.
The primary manifestation of Bartter disease is excessive salt and water loss in the kidneys. This results in chronic dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and metabolic alkalosis (elevated blood pH). Affected individuals may experience frequent urination, increased thirst, muscle weakness or cramps, fatigue, growth and developmental delays, and salt cravings.
There are several subtypes of Bartter disease, each caused by mutations in different genes involved in salt reabsorption in the kidneys. These genetic mutations disrupt the normal functioning of ion channels and transporters in the renal tubules, altering the delicate balance of electrolytes.
While there is currently no cure for Bartter disease, treatments are available to manage its symptoms and complications. These may include the supplementation of potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes, as well as medications that inhibit excessive renal salt wasting. With proper medical management, individuals with Bartter disease can lead relatively normal lives and live to their full potential.
Common Misspellings for BARTTER DISEASE
- vartter disease
- nartter disease
- hartter disease
- gartter disease
- bzrtter disease
- bsrtter disease
- bwrtter disease
- bqrtter disease
- baetter disease
- badtter disease
- baftter disease
- battter disease
- ba5tter disease
- ba4tter disease
- barttwr disease
- barttsr disease
- barttdr disease
- barttrr disease
- bartt4r disease
- bartt3r disease
Etymology of BARTTER DISEASE
The term Bartter disease is named after the American pediatrician, Dr. Frederic Bartter, who first described the condition in the medical literature in 1962. Dr. Bartter and his colleagues identified a group of patients who presented with a specific set of symptoms that included hypokalemia (low potassium levels), metabolic alkalosis (an imbalance in the body's acid-base level), and salt wasting in the kidneys. These patients had a genetic defect affecting the renal tubules, leading to the excessive loss of salt and water in the urine. In honor of Dr. Bartter's contribution to the understanding of this disorder, the condition came to be known as Bartter syndrome or Bartter disease.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
