NPR: multiple sclerosis https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=134948323 multiple sclerosis en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:20:16 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: multiple sclerosis https://www.npr.org/tags/134948323/multiple-sclerosis Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases The next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could be tiny pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:47 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5272748/vagus-nerve-stimulation-may-tame-autoimmune-diseases https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5272748/vagus-nerve-stimulation-may-tame-autoimmune-diseases

The next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could be tiny pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve.

(Image credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library RF)

]]> Jon Hamilton What is multiple sclerosis, the illness causing Selma Blair's early 'Dancing' exit? The actress Blair has been competing on the dance show for the past four weeks, but bowed out due to doctors' orders regarding her multiple sclerosis illness. Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:01:25 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129845834/selma-blair-dancing-with-the-stars-multiple-sclerosis https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129845834/selma-blair-dancing-with-the-stars-multiple-sclerosis The actress Blair has been competing on the dance show for the past four weeks, but bowed out due to doctors' orders regarding her multiple sclerosis illness.

]]> Ayana Archie Researchers Link Autism To A System That Insulates Brain Wiring Brains affected by autism appear to share a problem with cells that make myelin, the insulating coating surrounding nerve fibers that controls the speed at which the fibers convey electrical signals. Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:34:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/03/802215344/researchers-link-autism-to-a-system-that-insulates-brain-wiring https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/03/802215344/researchers-link-autism-to-a-system-that-insulates-brain-wiring

Brains affected by autism appear to share a problem with cells that make myelin, the insulating coating surrounding nerve fibers that controls the speed at which the fibers convey electrical signals.

(Image credit: Jose Luis Calvo)

]]> Jon Hamilton Patients Still Struggle To Balance High Costs Of MS Treatment, Despite Generic Drugs to treat multiple sclerosis can run $70,000 a year or more. Patients hoped competition from a generic version of one of the most popular brands would spur relief, but prices went up. Here's why. Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/20/797477657/patients-still-struggle-to-balance-high-costs-of-ms-treatment-despite-generic https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/20/797477657/patients-still-struggle-to-balance-high-costs-of-ms-treatment-despite-generic

Drugs to treat multiple sclerosis can run $70,000 a year or more. Patients hoped competition from a generic version of one of the most popular brands would spur relief, but prices went up. Here's why.

(Image credit: Gary Waters)

]]> Sydney Lupkin Researchers Find A Web Of Factors Behind Multiple Sclerosis It's looking like MS strikes when a variety of triggers gang up to impair neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Researchers are using their new knowledge to search for treatments. Mon, 21 Jan 2019 08:35:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/21/684495345/researchers-find-a-web-of-factors-behind-multiple-sclerosis https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/21/684495345/researchers-find-a-web-of-factors-behind-multiple-sclerosis

It's looking like MS strikes when a variety of triggers gang up to impair neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Researchers are using their new knowledge to search for treatments.

(Image credit: Dr. John Zajicek)

]]> Bret Stetka Crowdfunding Drives Funds And Attention Toward Questionable Medical Treatments Many Americans turn to crowdfunding to pay for medical care. But sometimes the money covers unproven treatments. Should crowdfunding companies be held accountable for spreading false hopes? Wed, 02 Jan 2019 05:00:51 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/02/674385287/crowdfunding-drives-funds-and-attention-toward-questionable-medical-treatments https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/02/674385287/crowdfunding-drives-funds-and-attention-toward-questionable-medical-treatments

Many Americans turn to crowdfunding to pay for medical care. But sometimes the money covers unproven treatments. Should crowdfunding companies be held accountable for spreading false hopes?

]]> Rachel D. Cohen Chronically Ill, Traumatically Billed: $123,019 For 2 Multiple Sclerosis Treatments Shereese Hickson's doctor wanted her to try a drug called Ocrevus for her multiple sclerosis. Trained as a medical billing coder, Hickson was shocked by the six-figure bill and the share she owed. Tue, 27 Nov 2018 13:41:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/11/27/668663222/chronically-ill-traumatically-billed-123-019-for-2-multiple-sclerosis-treatments https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/11/27/668663222/chronically-ill-traumatically-billed-123-019-for-2-multiple-sclerosis-treatments

Shereese Hickson's doctor wanted her to try a drug called Ocrevus for her multiple sclerosis. Trained as a medical billing coder, Hickson was shocked by the six-figure bill and the share she owed.

]]> Jay Hancock Has Genetic Privacy Been Strained By Trump's Recent ACA Moves? As the Trump administration decides not to defend the Affordable Care Act's legal protections for people with pre-existing conditions, questions arise about health insurance and genetic information. Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:02:47 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/11/627287642/has-genetic-privacy-been-strained-by-trumps-recent-aca-moves https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/11/627287642/has-genetic-privacy-been-strained-by-trumps-recent-aca-moves

As the Trump administration decides not to defend the Affordable Care Act's legal protections for people with pre-existing conditions, questions arise about health insurance and genetic information.

(Image credit: Gary Waters)

]]> Michelle Andrews Why Some Patients Getting Drugmakers' Help Are Paying More Some health plans are refusing to count the copayment assistance offered by drugmakers as part of a patient's deductible. That means some patients are paying thousands of dollars more out-of-pocket. Wed, 30 May 2018 05:00:08 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/30/615156632/why-some-patients-getting-drugmakers-help-are-paying-more https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/30/615156632/why-some-patients-getting-drugmakers-help-are-paying-more

Some health plans are refusing to count the copayment assistance offered by drugmakers as part of a patient's deductible. That means some patients are paying thousands of dollars more out-of-pocket.

]]> Michelle Andrews For One Father And Son In Puerto Rico, A Storm Was Just The Latest Trial The Martinez family has been waiting more than a year for a neurologist to diagnose the son's condition. He needs a diagnosis to be eligible for the health care he needs, but can't get an appointment. Thu, 22 Mar 2018 15:46:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/22/594890392/for-one-father-and-son-in-puerto-rico-a-storm-was-just-the-latest-trial https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/22/594890392/for-one-father-and-son-in-puerto-rico-a-storm-was-just-the-latest-trial

The Martinez family has been waiting more than a year for a neurologist to diagnose the son's condition. He needs a diagnosis to be eligible for the health care he needs, but can't get an appointment.

]]> Sarah Varney