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, October 28, 2002                      Volume #1 -- Issue #9
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004 COPD  -  International.com All rights reserved.

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PLEASE DO NOT REPLY. This newsletter is published on Mondays.
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> > > > > > > > > > IN THIS ISSUE < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Smoking Cessation
==> 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
This issue features articles on smoking cessation. Yes, a nasty
subject. But quitting smoking is on the top of the list of the things we
can do to slow further progression of our disease. Actually, it is the
MOST important thing we can do to live a longer, healthier life.

Most of us with COPD have been or are smokers, while there
are others who suffer from a rare, inherited form of emphysema
known as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which causes COPD.
Still others suffer due to exposure to chemicals, or other environmental
issues.

Quitting is VERY tough - no question about it. If you have quit
smoking, you are to be congratulated. If not, keep on trying as it
can take several attempts to finally conquer the smoking addiction.

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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-----BEST ADVICE FOR COPD PATIENTS? STOP SMOKING!
At a recent meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians
Dr. Gene Kallenberg stressed that helping patients to stop smoking
is the single most effective intervention family physicians can provide
for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. See Story:
http://www.aafp.org/fpr/assembly2002/1019/6.html

-----TOBACCO INDUSTRY STALKING WOMEN?
"You've come a long way, baby," the theme of many cigarette ads
directed toward women, has paid off. A recent study by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that COPD death
among women more than equaled that among men in the year 2000
(59,936 vs. 59,118). For More Information:
http://www.rcjournal.com/contents/10.02/10.02.1148.asp

-----MORE REASONS TO SHED THAT EXTRA WEIGHT
Researchers have shown, for the first time, that shedding excess pounds
decreases activity of a key enzyme known to play a central role in high
blood pressure. Even a small weight loss can lower blood pressure and
decrease risks for cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease and
other health problems. See Report:
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=6229

-----SSA PHASING IN NEW E-GOVERNMENT PROJECT
A new project makes it easier and quicker for people to do business
with Social Security. The E-Government project, known as eVital,
allows immediate verification of vital information over the Internet.
This will speed up the process of applying for benefits or requesting
a Social Security card. See News Release:
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/evital-pr.htm

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/

-----'NATIONAL COPD AWARENESS MONTH'
Last year, the White House proclaimed November 2001 "National
COPD Awareness Month" in an effort to increase awareness of this
progressive, and often debilitating, lung disease. President Bush has
again been contacted by patients, professionals and politicians to
designate this November as "COPD Awareness Month." To date, there
has been no taken action on the request, although many individual states
have done so.

More than 15 million people currently suffer from COPD, but don't know
they have the disease. There is no cure for COPD but effective treatments,
such as bronchodilators, oxygen therapy and respiratory rehabilitation, can
improve lung function and help make breathing easier.

The purpose of this awareness campaign is to encourage anyone who thinks
they may have COPD, or who has been diagnosed but not treated, to see
their health-care provider for a simple lung function test and/or treatment.

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> > > > > > > > > > RECALLS/WARNINGS < < < < < < < < < <
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-----SAFETY ALERTS
-Alpharma USPD Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream
This medicine is a corticosteroid used to reduce itching, redness
and swelling associated with many skin conditions. See Details:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Triamcinolone-Acetonide_recall.htm

-Alpharma USHP Isosorbide Mononitrate
This medicine is a vasodilator used to prevent angina (chest pain).
See Details:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Isosorbide-Mononitrate_recall.htm

To view earlier recalls, please go to our Library sections at
http://www.copdinternational.com/library/contents.htm
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> > > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < < <
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-----TOOLS TO BEAT NICOTINE ADDICTION
Should you quit cold turkey or use a quitting aid? According to the
U.S. Surgeon General, medications can help you stop smoking and
lessen the urge to smoke. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has approved five medications as nicotine replacement
therapies to help you quit smoking:

-Bupropion SR - Available by prescription, this is Wellbutrin or Zyban.
-Nicotine gum - Available over-the-counter.
-Nicotine inhaler - Available by prescription.
-Nicotine nasal spray - Available by prescription.
-Nicotine patch - Available by prescription and over-the-counter.

----WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Health Benefits

-At 20 minutes after quitting: blood pressure decreases, pulse rate
drops, body temperature of hands and feet increases.

-At 8 hours: carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal,
oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

-At 24 hours: chance of a heart attack decreases.

-At 48 hours: nerve endings start regrowing and ability to smell
and taste is enhanced.

-At 2 weeks to 3 months: circulation improves, walking becomes
easier, lung function increases.

-1 to 9 months: coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness
of breath decreases.

-1 year: excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half
that of a smoker.

Long-term Health Benefits

-At 5 years: from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced
to that of people who have never smoked.

-At 10 years: risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that
of continuing smokers; risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus,
bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases; risk of ulcer decreases.

-At 15 years: risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that
of people who have never smoked and risk of death returns to nearly
the level of people who have never smoked. (Compiled from several
statistical sources deemed reliable.)

-----REALLY WANT TO QUIT SMOKING?
Talk with your physician about the best ways to quit smoking - for good.
Write down a list of questions about quitting, and ask your doctor to
address those concerns. If you want more information about quitting,
go to http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/

-----QSN - ONLINE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
If you want online support, go to the link above to join our interactive
Quit Smoking Now (QSN) Program, where community members
support one another in stopping smoking and remaining smoke-free.

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 chats on Mondays at 9 p.m. (EST).

Editor's Note: This is a new program, so if you don't find anyone hanging
around the no-smoking chat room, please feel free to visit our COPD
chat room. The folks there certainly can help and lend their support.

-----GO INPATIENT - REHABS FOR SMOKERS
Many drug and alcohol inpatient treatment centers also offer residential
programs for smoking cessation from one week to 28 days. The cost,
although expensive and not usually covered by insurance, varies greatly
from center to center. Below are three links to nicotine treatment centers.
Check in your surrounding area, perhaps there is a facility near you that
offers inpatient treatment.

-Caron Foundation:
http://www.caron.org/nicotine.asp
-Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayo.edu/staff/ndc/resprograms.html
-St. Helena:
http://www.sthelenahospital.org/Center/CH_Nicotine/Nicotine.html

-----NICOTINE ANONYMOUS MEETINGS
What is Nicotine Anonymous (NicA)? Nicotine Anonymous is a
fellowship of men and women helping each other to live lives free of
nicotine. Its primary purpose is to offer support to those who are trying
to gain freedom from nicotine. There is online support as well as
face-to-face meetings worldwide. For more information on this
12-step recovery program, go to http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/
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> > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----SMOKING UPSETS BODY'S METABOLIC CART
Smoking drains the body of many essential vitamins and minerals. In order
to counteract this disturbance in the metabolism of vitamin C, a smoker
needs to increase their intake to levels of around 2000mg a day. In
addition, smokers should increase their intake of antioxidants, mainly
fruit and vegetables, to try to minimize the damage inflicted. But no amount
of supplements or antioxidants can protect the body against the ravages of
smoking and the only real solution is to stop smoking. See Diet Suggestions:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/nutrition/facts/lifestylemanagement/
smokingnutrition.htm

Editor's Note: This is an exceptionally long link. Cut and paste the
entire address into your browser if you have trouble opening the page.

-----GAS? COULD IT BE THE FRUIT JUICE OR THAT SODA?
A recent breath-test study shows that fruit sugar or soda could be the
culprit if there is a rumbling in your belly an hour or so after consuming
fruit sugar. The report, given at a recent meeting of the American College
of Gastroenterology, finds that nearly half of normal people get gas from
fructose. Report: http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/1671.53947
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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.

-----VISIT THE BILL HORDEN LIBRARY
Our Library includes the works of COPD Advocate Bill Horden, a
pioneer of online support for those with COPD. Due to Bill's failing
health, his COPDadvocate site went off line several months ago. 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. Horden Library:
http://www.copd-international.com/COPDadvocate/

-----'QUIT SMOKING NOW' CHAT
At mentioned above, there is a special Quit Smoking Now (QSN) chat
every Monday at 9 p.m. (EST). The chat room can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/chat.htm

-----WEEKLY CHAT FOR CAREGIVERS
We have a special chat room for caregivers and on Wednesdays
at 8 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:

-Helen Price, caregiver and wife of Ray Price, one of the founding
members of COPD-International, is scheduled to undergo intestinal
surgery Tuesday, October 29.

-Terri Lopau, an active member of our COPD Community and a
chat host, was recently injured in an automobile accident.

-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/

-----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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-----SIGNS YOU SMOKE TOO MUCH

-In the middle of smoking a cigarette, you pause for a "cigarette break."

-Cracking your knuckles leaves you winded.

-Morning schedule: Wake up, cough for three hours, take nap.

-In your neighborhood, they give directions by saying,
"Go down to the big pile of cigarette butts..."

-You smoke during sex.

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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----BEEF AND BROCCOLI
Prep/Cook Time 25 min.
Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless beef sirloin OR top round steak, 3/4" thick
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Tomato Soup
3 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
3 cups fresh OR frozen broccoli flowerets
4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

SLICE beef into very thin strips.
(To make slicing easier, freeze beef 1 hour.)
HEAT oil in skillet. Add beef and stir-fry until browned
and juices evaporate.
ADD soup, soy, vinegar, garlic and pepper. Heat to a boil. Add
broccoli and cook until tender-crisp. Serve over rice.
Serves 4. (From Campbell's Kitchen)

Recipe Note:
Red pepper is a hot, smoky spice also known as cayenne pepper.
This recipe calls for crushed red pepper, but you could substitute
ground cayenne or red pepper, chili powder or hot Hungarian paprika.
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> > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < < <
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"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long
to begin it." -- W.M. Lewis
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> > > > > > > > > > SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE < < < < < < < < < <
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Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!
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
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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.

Links in this newsletter to other Internet sites are not an endorsement
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