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    <title>NPR: autoimmune diseases</title>
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    <description>autoimmune diseases</description>
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      <title>NPR: autoimmune diseases</title>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/tags/154842549/autoimmune-diseases</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases</title>
      <description>The next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could be tiny pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:47 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5272748/vagus-nerve-stimulation-may-tame-autoimmune-diseases</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5272748/vagus-nerve-stimulation-may-tame-autoimmune-diseases</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2309x1299+0+0/resize/2309x1299!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F69%2F99%2Fab684c26495a87a93dcdc3e4e0c1%2Fgettyimages-1607085085.jpg' alt='An illustration of the Vagus nerve, which is part of the autonomic nervous system.'/><p>The next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could be tiny pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve.</p><p>(Image credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library RF)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5272748' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Jon Hamilton</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Unraveling long COVID: Here&apos;s what scientists who study the illness want to find out</title>
      <description>At a recent medical gathering, researchers presented their latest hypotheses about what causes – and what could treat – the lingering disease.</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 09 Sep 2023 07:00:22 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/09/1198342040/long-covid-causes-treatment-research</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/09/1198342040/long-covid-causes-treatment-research</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/09/08/gettyimages-1247585845-bb3b24c4ff8ab5610cb7e07b799fdd72f5ebfa0d.jpg' alt='Researchers looking for root causes of long COVID work in the autopsy suite inside the Clinical Center at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.'/><p>At a recent medical gathering, researchers presented their latest hypotheses about what causes – and what could treat – the lingering disease.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1198342040' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Will Stone</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Céline Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. Here&apos;s how it affects people</title>
      <description>The singer repeatedly postponed performances in the past year because of severe muscle spasms. In a tearful Instagram post, she revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2022 11:13:10 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2022/12/08/1141538144/celine-dion-stiff-person-syndrome-canceled-shows</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2022/12/08/1141538144/celine-dion-stiff-person-syndrome-canceled-shows</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/12/08/gettyimages-1134086473_slide-ac8cc4f28b754a7f40c4d72fc2857fa037e5572e.jpg' alt='Céline Dion performing in 2019, the year her world tour was original scheduled to begin. It has since been delayed repeatedly, first due to the pandemic and then because of muscle spasms that have now been diagnosed as stiff-person syndrome.'/><p>The singer repeatedly postponed performances in the past year because of severe muscle spasms. In a tearful Instagram post, she revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.</p><p>(Image credit: Rich Fury)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1141538144' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Emily Olson</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Killing the economic polar bear</title>
      <description>When Knut the polar bear was rejected by his mother at the Berlin Zoo, a debate caught fire over whether it was more humane to keep him alive or euthanize him. Today, as the Fed raises interest rates again, another polar bear is in danger: The economy. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;em&gt;For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.&lt;/em&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2022 19:16:34 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2022/09/21/1124376155/killing-the-economic-polar-bear</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2022/09/21/1124376155/killing-the-economic-polar-bear</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/09/21/gettyimages-73748205-3a263487feb24e868d8bd6d4262e19bfea3448aa.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>When Knut the polar bear was rejected by his mother at the Berlin Zoo, a debate caught fire over whether it was more humane to keep him alive or euthanize him. Today, as the Fed raises interest rates again, another polar bear is in danger: The economy. <br><br><em>For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.</em></p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1124376155' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Darian Woods</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ashton Kutcher says he was lucky to survive a rare form of the disease vasculitis</title>
      <description>The actor said he suffered from hearing, vision and balance issues and that it took him an entire year to recover from the autoimmune condition that causes the swelling of blood vessels.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:38:25 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2022/08/09/1116492683/ashton-kutcher-vasculitis-autoimmune-disorder-blood-vessels-inflammation</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2022/08/09/1116492683/ashton-kutcher-vasculitis-autoimmune-disorder-blood-vessels-inflammation</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/08/09/gettyimages-1410940534-0482defe896cb96367f444c4c245853a8da1784a.jpg' alt='Ashton Kutcher attends the Los Angeles premiere of <em>Vengeance</em> on July 25. The actor revealed he dealt with hearing, vision and balance issues as a result of a rare case of vasculitis three years ago.'/><p>The actor said he suffered from hearing, vision and balance issues and that it took him an entire year to recover from the autoimmune condition that causes the swelling of blood vessels.</p><p>(Image credit: Robin L Marshall)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1116492683' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Wynne Davis</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How long COVID sheds light on other mysterious (and lonely) chronic illnesses</title>
      <description>Writer Meghan O&apos;Rourke says long COVID-19 and other chronic illnesses put a heavy burden on patients, who have to &quot;testify to the reality of their own illness.&quot; Her new book is &lt;em&gt;The Invisible Kingdom.&lt;/em&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:12:57 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/28/1083458296/long-covid-autoimmune-meghan-orourke-invisible-kingdom</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/28/1083458296/long-covid-autoimmune-meghan-orourke-invisible-kingdom</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/02/28/gettyimages-478145283-edit-b8b7a40d4e91521b6b8575ed7d955c558995df71.jpg' alt='"Long COVID is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms that persist long after the initial infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus," says Meghan O'Rourke, author of <em>The Invisible Kingdom.</em>'/><p>Writer Meghan O'Rourke says long COVID-19 and other chronic illnesses put a heavy burden on patients, who have to "testify to the reality of their own illness." Her new book is <em>The Invisible Kingdom.</em></p><p>(Image credit: Fanatic Studio)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1083458296' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Terry Gross</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New clues to the biology of long COVID are starting to emerge</title>
      <description>Scientists have begun to find abnormalities in the immune systems of some long-COVID patients that might help explain the syndrome, at least in some people. But there is still much more to learn.</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/12/1053509795/long-covid-causes-treatment-clues</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/12/1053509795/long-covid-causes-treatment-clues</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/11/12/gettyimages-1289050114-4a2a83df345079f4848ee4c023a4e9645f80dc91.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>Scientists have begun to find abnormalities in the immune systems of some long-COVID patients that might help explain the syndrome, at least in some people. But there is still much more to learn.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1053509795' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Rob Stein</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>6 Things To Know If You&apos;re Immunocompromised And Considering A 3rd Shot</title>
      <description>People with weakened immune systems who already got two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can now get a third shot. But exactly who is eligible? Here&apos;s what we know so far.</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/14/1027597108/6-things-to-know-if-youre-immunocompromised-and-considering-a-3rd-shot</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/14/1027597108/6-things-to-know-if-youre-immunocompromised-and-considering-a-3rd-shot</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/08/13/gettyimages-1234511960_custom-9f2380a03546a14a14c84d74ef36ba21fcd646c2.jpg' alt='Having a compromised immune system puts you at higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Studies show that the initial vaccine doses are less effective for people with weakened immune systems. A third shot can boost protection.'/><p>People with weakened immune systems who already got two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can now get a third shot. But exactly who is eligible? Here's what we know so far.</p><p>(Image credit: Christiana Botic)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1027597108' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Carmel Wroth</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>When Your Book Publishes In A Pandemic — Authors Talk About Terrible Timing</title>
      <description>A league of unfortunate writers had their books come out in the height of the coronavirus crisis — there are even several online support groups for authors who published mid-pandemic.</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2021 05:10:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2021/07/23/1015967612/when-your-book-publishes-in-a-pandemic-authors-talk-about-terrible-timing</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2021/07/23/1015967612/when-your-book-publishes-in-a-pandemic-authors-talk-about-terrible-timing</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/07/15/img_8304-2_custom-b1677be20742a86b174091f78050e2a06f79fd56.jpg' alt='Author Sarah Ramey's first book was expected to be among 2020's bestsellers. But it was released the same week as the lockdown and got lost amid news of a global catastrophe.'/><p>A league of unfortunate writers had their books come out in the height of the coronavirus crisis — there are even several online support groups for authors who published mid-pandemic.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1015967612' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Neda Ulaby</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>After Months Of A Racing Heart And Burning Feet, A COVID Long-Hauler Gets A Diagnosis</title>
      <description>Jennifer Minhas is among those who suffer lingering problems after COVID-19. A diagnosis of POTS, a little-known circulation disorder that mostly affects women, offers a way forward.</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 22 May 2021 07:01:02 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/22/996533041/after-months-of-a-racing-heart-and-burning-feet-a-covid-long-hauler-gets-a-diagn</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/22/996533041/after-months-of-a-racing-heart-and-burning-feet-a-covid-long-hauler-gets-a-diagn</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/05/13/pots-covid-1_custom-550c55c10f7c14914744b38f2a5616ac7ddeec99.jpg' alt='Jennifer Minhas had been a nurse for years when she contracted COVID-19 in 2020. Since then, lingering symptoms — what's known as long-haul COVID-19 — made it impossible for her to work. For months, she and her doctors struggled to understand what was behind her fatigue and rapid heartbeat, among other symptoms.'/><p>Jennifer Minhas is among those who suffer lingering problems after COVID-19. A diagnosis of POTS, a little-known circulation disorder that mostly affects women, offers a way forward.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=996533041' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Allison Aubrey</dc:creator>
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