COPD-INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
http://www.COPD-International.com

Dedicated to the philosophy
"You can learn to control this disease instead of letting it control you!"

Monday, December 16, 2002                    Volume #1 -- Issue #16
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004   COPD-International.com   All rights reserved.

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          > > > > > > > > > > IN THIS ISSUE < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Weather Emergencies
==> Nutrition/Wellness
==> COPD Community Update
==> Just for Fun
==> Recipe
==> Closing Thought
==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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              > > > > > > > > > > WELCOME < < < < < < < < < <
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-----ABOUT US
We are a group of fellow COPD sufferers, caregivers and others
interested in this disease. Our online community is devoted to helping
one another to live the best life possible with this debilitating illness
through interactive support.

As many of us have found, COPD is a disease of many faces,
contradictions and components. Therefore, our diversified community
is here to share its combined wealth of knowledge and information, so
we may all become well-informed patients and take control of our
disease rather than letting this disease control us.

-----EDITORIAL COMMENTS
We all reside in areas where the weather can create expected
emergencies. For those of us with COPD, more detailed preparations
are necessary to get through these situations without further compromising
our health. Knowing what to do and where things are located can make
an emergency a relatively easy and less stressful situation.

This issue focuses on being prepared for weather-related emergencies.
Once you feel you are prepared for most emergencies, enact a "dry run."
This way you will be able to make sure you are well prepared and have
a workable plan in place.

We welcome your input and participation in our newsletters and
will review for publication any pertinent information you wish to share
with others on COPD and related topics. If you wish to contribute to the
newsletter, please contact us at Newsletter@COPD-International.com

Yours in health ...

Susie
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              > > > > > > > > > > COPD NEWS < < < < < < < < < <
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-----SMALLPOX - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Unless you're a member of the military or an emergency response worker
chosen to receive the vaccine, President Bush's smallpox plan will not have
an immediate impact on you. However, the administration intends to make
the vaccine widely available to the public by 2004, at which time ordinary
citizens will be faced with a decision about whether to receive it.
Comprehensive smallpox information available at www.smallpox.gov

-----REACTIONS MIXED TO SMALLPOX INOCULATIONS
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/15/health/15VOIC.html

-----MUSIC MOTIVATES COPDERS TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE
Getting an earful of music can motivate patients with severe lung disease to
go the extra mile - make that four extra miles - while exercising to improve
their health, according to this new report:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=1890746

-----WOMEN MORE PRONE TO SEVERE LUNG CANCER
Women are more likely than men to have one of the most severe forms of
lung cancer, according to a recent study presented at the British Thoracic
Society's annual meeting in London. See Story:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Health/story_43485.asp

-----FDA CLEARS TEST FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared for
marketing the NT-proBNP, a new laboratory test for use as an aid in
diagnosing congestive heart failure.

The new test, the Elecsys proBNP Immunoassay is the first fully automated
test for this use. The automation allows the laboratory to run a higher
volume of samples, making the test more readily available to patients who
need it.

The test can help physicians differentiate between congestive heart failure
and other problems, such as lung disease. Early detection of congestive
heart failure is important because, if detected early, it can often be
managed with medication. See Full Story:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01173.html

-----ANSWERS TO COMMON COPD QUESTIONS
Dr. Michael Bauer is a Board Certified Pulmonologist at Imogene Bassett
Hospital in Cooperstown, NY. He graciously answers online questions on
lung disease. This is a link to his replies to common questions about COPD.
http://www.pulmonarypaper.org/main.asp?CatID=18

-----INVESTIGATORS CITE DECEPTION IN DRUG ADS
Some companies have repeatedly disseminated misleading advertisements
for prescription drugs, even after being cited for violations, and millions
of people see the deceptive commercials before the government tries to
halt them, Congressional investigators said. See Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/04/health/04DRUG.html

-----PATCH HOLDS HOPE FOR BEATING DEPRESSION
It was the first type of antidepressant, and for many people the monamine
oxidase, or MAO, inhibitor remains the best hope for relief from major
depression. The trouble is that the side effects can be so serious that MAO
inhibitors are rarely prescribed. The problems, however, may soon be
resolved. See Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/03/health/psychology/03PATC.html

Make browsing in our Library and catching up on general medical
news in our Reading Room part of your daily surfing routine at
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/
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       > > > > > > > > > > RECALLS/WARNINGS < < < < < < < < < <
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To view drug recalls, please go to our Library section
at http://www.copdinternational.com/library/contents.htm
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         > > > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < < <
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-----CDC OFFERS EMERGENCY PREVENTION GUIDE
The link below leads to the U.S. Center for Disease Control's (CDC)
advice on personal safety before, during and after many weather-related
emergencies. If you reside in an area that is prone to catastrophic weather
changes, take the time to read these tips, so you can be well prepared
in advance. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/emergency/weather/default.htm

-----BE PREPARED - WEATHER-RELATED EMERGENCIES
Being prepared for emergencies and unexpected power outages is one of
the single most important things we can do for ourselves. The link below
leads to ideas to get you started.
http://www.copd-international.com/library/emerg_prep-for.htm

-----EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
This quick checklist can be printed out as a handy reminder and reference
tool to make certain you are well prepared at all times. See Checklist:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/emerg_chk.htm

-----DISASTER SUPPLY AND FIRST AID KITS
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises assembling
a Disaster Supplies Kit. In addition to supplies for a disaster kit, a first
aid kit should be close at hand at all times. See FEMA Advice:
http://www.fema.gov/library/diskit.shtm
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       > > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----HOLIDAY DIET AND FITNESS GUIDE
For most of us the holiday season is a bad time to lose weight or start an
exercise program. Instead, focus on maintaining our weight, keeping up the
exercise and staying relaxed and calm. Here are tons of suggestions:
http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/holidayfit

-----STRESS - THE SILENT ASTHMA TRIGGER
Stress as an asthma trigger can be one of the hardest to spot. By the
time stress begins to create problems it's often more difficult to deal
with. Hectic holiday schedules can add mounting stress in a hurry.
Know the tricks of dealing with stress and don't wait for the problem
to arise before using them. The most helpful stress reliever is the
simplest, but often the most difficult - maintaining a positive outlook.
See Tips: http://asthma.about.com/library/weekly/aa122099a.htm

-----PREVENTION: 9-1-1 LIFESAVER IN HEART ATTACKS
Thousands of heart attack patients fail to take the most important action
they can to increase their chances of survival, calling 911, a study has
found. See Details: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/03/health/03PREV.html

-----DIETARY ADVICE WITH A MEDITERRANEAN FLAIR
For several decades, experts on heart disease have promoted a low-fat,
low-cholesterol diet as most effective in warding off the leading killer of
Americans. But in recent years, new evidence has brought this advice into
question. Dietary Advice:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/03/health/nutrition/03BROD.html

-----TALK YOUR WAY TO MENTAL HEALTH
People hoping to stay sharp as they age often turn to crossword puzzles,
math problems and other demanding intellectual pursuits. But is all that
really necessary? A new set of studies suggests that it may be just part of
the solution. Simply talking to people, the researchers say in this story,
appears to keep mental skills sharp:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/29/health/aging/29TALK.html

-----COMMON VIRAL RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Common viral respiratory diseases are illnesses caused by a variety of
viruses that have similar traits and affect the upper respiratory tract.
See Details: http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Pubs/commvira.htm
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   > > > > > > > > > > COPD COMMUNITY UPDATE < < < < < < < < <
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-----WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
We welcome all our new subscribers and invite you to join our
e-mail lists and check out our chat rooms, where you can talk freely
about COPD in an atmosphere of fellowship. The link to the chat
schedules can be found on our Home Page or just drop in anytime
you have a need to talk.

-----KEEP IN TOUCH PROGRAM
Our Keep in Touch Program (KIT) is a program set up for those of
us that live alone, or persons who desire a way to maintain daily
contact with a small group of people like themselves for reassurance.
For Details: http://www.copd-international.com/Keep_in_Touch/

-----QUIT SMOKING NOW PROGRAM AND CHAT
If you want online support to quit smoking, join our interactive
Quit Smoking Now (QSN) Program, where community members support
one another in stopping smoking and remaining smoke-free.
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/

For more information on the QSN Program, contact Diane, program
coordinator, at Newsletter@COPD-International.com    Diane is also available
for scheduling one-on-one chats. This is in addition to the regularly
scheduled chat on Mondays at 9 p.m. (EST). The chat room can be
accessed at http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/chat.htm

-----WEEKLY CAREGIVERS CHAT
On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EST), we invite all caregivers who are in
need of mutual support to join host Kitty in this weekly chat. Kitty
is a caregiver for her husband, George. You can reach the Caregivers
Chat Room at http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm
(Note: Only caregivers in this chat please.)

For more information on our chat rooms, please contact Deb,
chat coordinator, at Chat@COPD-International.com

-----LOVING THOUGHTS
Express your loving thoughts, get-well wishes and prayers for
our fellow community members, who are very ill or hospitalized.

"Books" of loving thoughts have been established for:

-Donna, wife of Bill Tomerlin, who is home from the hospital and
recovering from a respiratory infection.

-Helen Price, wife of Ray Price, a founder of COPD-International,
who is recovering from intestinal surgery and now on chemotherapy.

-Our first "book" of loving thoughts is dedicated to COPD
Advocate Bill Horden.

To participate in this program of loving concern, go to
http://www.copd-international.com/Loving_Thoughts/

To request a loving-thoughts "book" for someone special,
who is very ill or hospitalized, please send details to
Webmaster@COPD-International.com

-----VISIT THE BILL HORDEN LIBRARY
Our Library includes the works of COPD Advocate Bill Horden,
a pioneer of online support for those with COPD. His work continues
to be a source of inspiration to all of us - not only to live well,
but also to help others do the same. To browse the Horden Library,
go to http://www.copd-international.com/COPDadvocate/

-----CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers are always needed to maintain the various interactive
support programs. If you wish to volunteer, please contact us
at http://www.copd-international.com/volunteer.htm

Don't forget to checkout all our support programs listed on our
Home Page at www.COPD-International.com
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           > > > > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < < <
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-----TRIVIA QUIZ - HOLIDAY MOVIES
http://zone.msn.com/celebritytrivia/default.asp?GameDate=11/25/2002&TAd=1

Editor's Note: This is an exceptionally long link. Please cut and paste
the entire address into your browser if you have trouble opening the page.
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              > > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < < <
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-----MICROWAVE OVEN PEANUT BRITTLE
Everyone loves something crunchy, so whip up a couple of batches
of this sweet, crunchy treat for those on your Christmas list.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready in: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 pinch salt (optional)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Grease a baking sheet, and set aside. In a glass bowl, combine peanuts,
sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook in microwave for 6 to 7 minutes on High
(700 W); mixture should be bubbly and peanuts browned. Stir in butter and
vanilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.


2. Quickly stir in baking soda, just until mixture is foamy. Pour
immediately onto greased baking sheet. Let cool 15 minutes, or until set.
Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container. Makes 1 pound.
(Source: All Recipes)

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         > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?'

It will only be time wasted.

The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?'  To that there is an answer."

- Leo Buscaglia -

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    > > > > > > > > > > SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE < < < < < < < < < <
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Thank You For Your Readership
-----------------
Notes
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© 2002 COPD-International.com, except where otherwise indicated. All
rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from
copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective
owners. All content provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.

All Disclaimers Apply: The information and guidance provided in this
newsletter should never be interpreted as a diagnosis, treatment
plan or any other form of professional service.

All information provided should be judged as individual "opinions"
and discussed with a qualified health-care professional before any
remedy, treatment or therapy is started.