What condition would a nephrologist typically diagnose?

A nephrologist is a medical specialist who focuses on diagnosing and treating kidney-related conditions. This includes a wide range of kidney disorders such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, and glomerulonephritis. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood, balancing electrolytes, and regulating blood pressure, among other functions. Therefore, when patients experience symptoms that may indicate kidney problems, they are referred to a nephrologist for further evaluation and management. Each of the other options pertains to specialties outside of renal medicine—respiratory disorders are managed by pulmonologists, mental health issues by psychiatrists or psychologists, and joint disorders by rheumatologists or orthopedists. This distinction highlights the specialized nature of nephrology in the healthcare system.