What is renal failure?

Chronic renal failure is defined as a progressive, permanent and definitive deterioration in the purification and hormonal function of the kidneys. If the diagnosis is made in time (by screening blood tests for predisposing diseases such as diabetes or hypertension), it is possible to take certain therapeutic measures to slow the loss of renal function over time and delay the onset of dialysis. Kidney failure occurs when 50% of the nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys, have been destroyed.

Replacement therapy is required when more than 90% of the nephrons have been destroyed. The choice of technique (haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or transplantation) depends on a number of factors: age, weight, living conditions, other pathologies, and is made by mutual agreement between the doctor and the patient.