This document discusses chronic renal failure (CRF). CRF is characterized by the progressive and irreversible deterioration of renal function due to the slow destruction of renal tissue, eventually leading to death when enough nephrons have been damaged. CRF is caused by conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. It progresses through stages of decreased renal reserve, renal insufficiency, renal failure, and end-stage kidney disease. Medical management of CRF focuses on controlling blood pressure and reducing edema, gastrointestinal side effects, and pruritis.