CRF stands for "Chronic Renal Failure", which refers to the gradual loss of kidney function over time. The medical community often uses various synonyms for CRF, including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and Renal Insufficiency. Other related terms commonly used include Nephropathy, Nephritis, and Glomerulonephritis, which describe different types of kidney diseases that can lead to CRF. The term Renal Failure is also sometimes used to refer to CRF, although this can be confusing because it also includes acute kidney failure, which is a sudden loss of kidney function. Understanding these different terms is important for both patients and healthcare professionals managing kidney disease.