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, March 17, 2003                        Volume #2 -- Issue #11
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004   COPD-International.com    All rights reserved.

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the end of this newsletter. THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE
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 - Dietary Supplements
==> 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
Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moved to
impose new rules on dietary supplements that would force
manufacturers to make clean and accurately labeled products.

However, the changes will not tell consumers whether the
supplements are dangerous or whether they work.

This issue focuses on general sources for information on
supplements and vitamins. Before taking any dietary
supplement, check with your health care professionals.

Although there is much hype on the importance of taking
vitamin and mineral supplements, the best way to maintain
good nutrition is through a healthy, well-balanced diet.

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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-----GLOBAL ALERT ISSUED ON RESPIRATORY ILLNESS
The number of cases of what the World Health Organization (WHO)
now calls Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) continues to
rise and spread to additional countries. In response to reports of
increasing numbers of cases, WHO and the U.S Centers for Disease
and Prevention (CDC) have issued health alerts on the yet-unknown
respiratory illness. See Links Below

General Information:
http://www.COPD-International.com/library/SARS-news.htm

WHO Alert:
http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/SARS1.htm

U.S. CDC Alert
http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/SARS.htm

-----STUDY: URBAN AIR POLLUTION TAKING TOLL
The findings in this study provide a plausible explanation for the
increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality accompanying
urban air pollution. See Study:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/107/8/1202

-----CANCER STUDY UPDATE
The deadliest type of cancer may have a new nemesis. A substance
found in several different types of plant species could hold great
potential for both prevention and treatment of lung cancer. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/61/67355.htm

-----ASTHMA - SOME INHALERS NOT MOST SUITABLE
Asthma sufferers are suffering needlessly because they are not being
prescribed the most suitable inhalers, according to this U.K. study:
http://www.lunglifecenter.com/content/article_display.cfm?id=784&poid=pulm

-----SSA   E-NEWSLETTERS AVAILABLE
The most convenient way for you to keep up with the latest Social
Security developments is by receiving a free newsletter with news
and information from Social Security. To Sign Up:
http://www.ssa.gov/enews/

-----ASSESS YOUR TOBACCO USE
Why do you smoke? Are there times during the day when you
are more likely to smoke? Most people don't think about when
or why they smoke. They just do it automatically. Consider the
following reasons that you might give yourself for smoking:
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/70/17388

-----AUTOIMMUNITY BODY'S DEFENSE SYSTEM
Everybody wants to have a strong immune system. The immune
system is the body's own personal Department of Defense,
protecting its health and integrity from invading armies of harmful
viruses and bacteria. What is autoimmunity? See Details:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/Healthology/HO_autoimmunity.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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-----ALL ABOUT VITAMINS
The link below leads to information on various vitamins. It
should only be used for reference, as everyone should check
with their doctors before adding any supplements to their diet.
See Vitamins: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins.html

-----NIH OFFERS FACTS ON SUPPLEMENTS
As a consumer, you need information you can trust to help make
thoughtful decisions about eating a healthful diet and using vitamin
and mineral supplements. The U.S. National Institutes of Health
(NIH) offers the following information:
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/intro.html

-----STEROID USE AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for those with COPD.
The link below leads to a list of possible interactions between
steroids and dietary supplements.
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/corticosteroids.htm

-----VITAMINS - TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
There's no question that nutrition plays a vital role in keeping
you healthy. However, while part of getting all the nutrients you
need sometimes means taking a vitamin and mineral supplement,
experts warn there can be too much of a good thing. See Story:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1
&id=511267
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       > > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----FIBER - WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?
Most Americans already know they should include more fiber in
their diet, but how can you make sure you're eating enough? And
what about foods like bran muffins and high-fiber cereals - are they
worth including in your diet? See Advice:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/872692.asp

-----FEAR OF FALLING COULD TRIP YOU UP
People are afraid of falling, so they stop doing things. As they
do less, their physical condition deteriorates, making them more
susceptible to falling. What they fear becomes more likely. See Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/nyregion/05FALL.html

-----ASSESS YOUR TOBACCO USE
Why do you smoke? Are there times during the day when you
are more likely to smoke? Most people don't think about when
or why they smoke. They just do it automatically. Consider the
following reasons that you might give yourself for smoking:
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/70/17388

-----POPPING TOO MANY OTC PAIN PILLS?
When it comes to following the recommended dosage for
over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, how cautious are you?
Do you add an extra pill here and there? Does it really matter?
You may be surprised to find out the answers. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/60/66948.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.

-----NEW! ONLINE DIARY ON LUNG TRANSPLANT
Community member Lance Woodard has been keeping an ongoing
diary of his recent lung transplant experience. To access "On the
Road Again," which Lance continually updates, go to
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Lungtx-Lance.htm

-----DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily and we invite everyone
to stop in and visit. Also during the week, special on-topic chats
are held. Unlike our open chats, we ask that these chats stay on
topic. We look forward to seeing you. The chat room schedule can
be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.htm

-----LUNG TRANSPLANT CHAT
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. (EST), a special on-topic chat is held on
lung transplants and is hosted by Tony Hamel. Tony had a single lung
transplant February 2001. This chat is held in the COPD Community
Room. Access the COPD room through the COPD community link off
the Home Page or directly at
http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/chat.htm

You can read more about Tony and his story in our library. The direct
link is http://www.copd-international.com/Library/lungtx.htm

-----EXERCISE CHAT
Sundays at 7 p.m. (EST) in the Exercise Chat Room, join Host Billie
in this informal chat setting to discuss exercise, getting started,
motivational tips, advanced tips and much more. All are welcome
who have an interest in any type or level of exercise. Exercise Chat
Room: http://www.copd-international.com/exercise/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. You can
reach the Caregivers Chat Room at
http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm
(Note: Only caregivers in this chat please.)

-----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

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

-----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, go to http://www.copd-international.com/Keep_in_Touch/

-----VISIT THE BILL HORDEN LIBRARY
In addition to the "COPD Survival Guide," our Library includes the
other works of COPD Advocate Bill Horden, a pioneer of online
support for those with COPD. To browse the Horden Library, go
to http://www.copd-international.com/COPDadvocate/

-----VOLUNTEERS - LEND A HAND
This site is supported and maintained by COPDers. It is not
uncommon for us to have severe pouts with our illness. Due to
our health issues, many of us need downtime to recuperate and
get back on our feet.

Therefore, a strong team of volunteers is most important. If you
want 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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-----VIDEO GAMES ZAP PAIN

WebMD reports a new study suggests that playing active video
games may be effective for chronic pain relief. Researchers say
that playing an engaging video game may actually distract someone's
attention away from a painful activity and help people with chronic
pain conditions.
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                 > > > > > > > > >>> RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----BROCCOLI CHICKEN POTATO PARMESAN
Cheesy broccoli, potatoes and chicken make a dish that your family
will request again and again. Broccoli Chicken Potato Parmesan

Prep/Cook Time: 20 min.

Ingredients
      2 tbsp. vegetable oil
      1 lb. small red potatoes, sliced 1/4" thick
      1 pkg. (about 10 oz.) refrigerated cooked chicken strips
      2 cups fresh OR frozen broccoli flowerets
      1 can Campbell's Broccoli Cheese or 98% Fat Free Broccoli Cheese Soup
      1/2 cup milk
      1/4 tsp. garlic powder
      1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
    -- HEAT oil in skillet. Add potatoes. Cover and cook over
       medium heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    -- STIR in chicken and broccoli.
    -- MIX soup, milk and garlic. Add to skillet. Sprinkle with cheese.
       Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 5 min. or until done.

Serves 4.
(Campbell's Kitchen)
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         > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those
you hold well."
                                         -- Josh Billings--
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Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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© 2002-2003 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.