Multiple sclerosis may not be infectious in the true sense of the word, the way, say, flu is. But infection does likely play a role in MS.
Researchers are finding clues that suggest MS strikes when infectious, genetic and immune factors combine to eventually impair the function of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
By understanding how this network of influences works, it may be possible to develop more effective ways to treat MS and perhaps prevent it in the first place.
Read about the latest scientific insights in this story from Shots contributor Dr. Bret Stetka.
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The proportion of doctor visits that led to a prescription of anxiety medicines like Valium and Ativan doubled between 2003 and 2015.
This class of drugs called benzodiazepines are mostly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and seizures, but a study published Friday found the biggest rise in prescriptions during this time period was for back pain and other types of chronic pain, NPR’s Rhitu Chatterjee reports.
Long-term use of the drugs can cause physical dependence, addiction and death from overdose.
"I don't think people realize that benzodiazepines share many of the same characteristics of opioids," says Dr. Sumit Agarwal, a primary care physician and researcher at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and one of the authors of the new study.
To read the full story, follow this link.
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Almost a year ago, NPR and Kaiser Health News began reporting each month on medical bills that were surprising and sometimes downright baffling.
The first story looked into a bill sent to Elizabeth Moreno, who was a college student in Texas when she had spinal surgery to remedy debilitating back pain.
After the surgery, she was charged $17,850 for a urine test.
Her father Paul Davis, a retired doctor from Findlay, Ohio, was invited to the White House Wednesday to talk about the family’s experience in a meeting with President Trump and administration officials.
Davis told Kaiser’s Emmarie Huetteman afterward that it was clear that price transparency is a "high priority" for Trump. While Davis said the officials didn't see eye to eye on every subject, he said he was struck by the administration's sincerity. Read about the meeting here.
Our next Bill of the Month story is coming this week. Be on the lookout for it and find past editions here.
Your Shots editor, Scott Hensley
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