In this episode, Dr. Jasper and Patient Zero discuss why kidney disease has become one of the most widespread yet under-recognized chronic conditions in the U.S., noting that early damage is silent and closely linked to hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. They explain how the kidneys are the body’s quiet workhorses—filtering 150–180 liters of blood daily, regulating blood pressure and electrolytes, supporting bone health, and producing red blood cells—and how early dysfunction triggers whole-body problems like swelling, anemia, fatigue, bone loss, and cardiovascular complications. With 37 million Americans living with chronic kidney disease—and 90% unaware—Dr. Jasper and Patient Zero highlight the urgency of early detection, especially as diabetes and hypertension remain the leading causes and as end-stage kidney disease rates continue to rise. They also dig into major disparities affecting Black, Hispanic, Native American, and low-income communities, with the Southeast—including Louisiana—hit hardest. The conversation emphasizes how Direct Primary Care (DPC) provides the time, access, and continuity needed to thoroughly review labs, counsel patients, and intervene early, giving patients a far better chance to prevent or slow kidney disease progression.

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