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, April 7, 2003 Volume #2 --
Issue #14
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2003 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 - Health in Hard Times
==> 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
The feature articles in this issue are on reducing and managing
stress on a daily basis. With the current news events, those of us
with COPD need to maintain a positive attitude and keep stress
to a minimum. As most of us know, stress and anxiety can take a
serious toll on our already compromised health.
Just as we need to avoid contacting a cold or flu, we also need
to keep our stress levels to a minimum - not easy in today's world,
but, nonetheless, necessary in successfully managing our disease.
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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-----SARS UPDATES
The spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) continues
to be a serious worldwide health threat as the number of suspected cases
rise on a daily basis worldwide.
To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) cites over 2,500 cases,
including 84 deaths. The U.S. tally is 115 cases in 29 states. Many
governments worldwide have issued SARS safety and health alerts.
President George Bush has issued an executive order, allowing the
U.S. government to quarantine suspected cases of the fast spreading
illness.
According to researchers, a distinctive pattern of symptoms has
become clear: two to seven days after being exposed, patients suddenly
develop a high fever, start shaking and experience chills, shortness of
breath and a dry cough. Some also experience headache, muscular
stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhea.
Laboratory tests show that white blood cell and platelet counts drop in
some patients, and chest X-rays show a pattern in which a cloudy area
appears in one part of a lung and then spreads across both lungs.
Below are links to SARS updates and detailed information.
COPD International Sites:
-- News: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-news.htm
-- FAQs: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-FAQs.htmWHO Site: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
CDC Site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/index.htm
WebMD Site: http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/62/71672.htm
-----FLU SHOTS CUTS HOSPITAL STAY IN HEART CASES
Flu shots may do more for the elderly than fend off the flu, new research
shows. They may also protect against heart disease and stroke. See
Details: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/03/health/03FLU.html
Editor's Note: This Web site may require that one complete
a short, anonymous user survey before accessing the article.
-----SMOKING INCREASES RISK OF STROKE
Men's risk of stroke increases with every cigarette they smoke,
according to U.S. researchers who say smoking more than a pack
a day doubles the risk. The Stroke Association says stroke is the
largest single cause of severe adult disability in the U.K., affecting
over 300,000 people. (BBC News Online)
-----PUBLIC SMOKING BAN CUTS HEART ATTACKS
A six-month ban on smoking in all public places slashed the number
of heart attacks in a U.S. town by almost a half, a new study has
revealed. See Details:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993557
-----DEPRESSION, NICOTINE DEPENDENCE LINKED
Smoking cessation treatment appears to increase the risk of major
depression, according to U.S. psychiatrists. See Story:
http://www.health-news.co.uk/showstory.asp?id=109239
-----STUDY LINKS SLEEP APNEA, HEART FAILURE
Treating a sleep disorder appears to also improve heart failure in
patients with both conditions, researchers said recently. This finding
suggests that the sleep disorder known as sleep apnea can affect the
heart, and patients with both heart failure and sleep apnea should be
treated for both, the study author Dr. T. Douglas Bradley told
Reuters Health.
"We hope that these findings will lead to greater awareness among
physicians and patients with heart failure that (sleep apnea) is common
in patients with heart failure and that its treatment can lead to improvements
in heart function," Bradley said. (Reuters Health)
-----LVRS IMPROVES OVERALL HEALTH
A procedure known as lung-volume reduction surgery (LVRS) appears
to improve overall health and quality of life for individuals with end-stage
emphysema, and these effects last as long as five years in more than half
of this population, according to researchers at Washington University
School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings appear in the March issue
of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular. See Article:
http://www.lunglifecenter.com/content/article_display.cfm?id=942&poid=pulm
-----DIESEL EMISSIONS INCREASE RSV INFECTIONS
These findings are consistent with the concept that DEE exposure
modulates the lung host defense to respiratory viral infections (RSV)
and may alter the susceptibility to respiratory infections leading to
increased lung disease. See Study:
http://ajrcmb.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/4/451
-----IS THAT CANCER TEST WORTH TAKING?
Screening methods are becoming more sensitive, but the results are
often ambiguous. See Article:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_14/b3827082_mz025.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/
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> > > > > > > > > > RECALLS / WARNINGS < < < < < < < < < <
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-----RECENT RECALLS
-- Acyclovir Tablets
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Acyclovir_recall2.htm
-- Doryx Capsules
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Doryx_%20recall.htm
-- Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Metformin_recall.htm
To view earlier drug recalls, please go to our Library section
at http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Recalls.htm
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> > > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < < <
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-----WHO, ME? STRESSED
For those of us with COPD, stress is something we are all too familiar
with. But, it is of the utmost importance that we keep stress and anxiety
to a minimum even in these trying times. Bellow are links to COPD-
specific advice on how to deal with stress.
-- Are you stress-fit? Find out by taking this 5-minute stress test.
http://www.lung.ca/copd/stresstest/
-- Coping Strategies
http://www.lung.ca/copd/management/coping/stress.html
-----KEEPING HEALTHY IN HARD TIMES
During difficult times, anxiety and stress can pose a challenge to
our physical and mental health. Below is a link to very timely
information on how to best deal with stress and its effects, and
how to reach out to others to get help - and to give it.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/62/71769.htm
-----VOLUNTEERING RELIEVES STRESS
Helping others can be a great way to deal with all the emotions that
surround such troubling times, say experts. Volunteer opportunities
are just a click away. We invite you to join our team of volunteers.
To volunteer, please contact us at
http://www.copd-international.com/volunteer.htm
-----NEED TO TALK?
Please don't hesitate to use our chat rooms and message boards
for support during these trying times. See Chat Schedule:
http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.htm
-----STRESS MAY UP RISK OF STROKE
There's more evidence it pays to reduce stress in your life - or to learn
to cope with it better. Intense, daily stress may increase your risk of
having a fatal stroke. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/62/71579.htm
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> > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----WHAT DIFFERENCE COULD AN HOUR MAKE?
The daylight-saving time change Sunday, April 6 at 2 a.m. moved an
hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, giving us those long
summer nights. See how to cope with "losing" an hour of sleep.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/63/71912.htm?z=1728_00000_1000_pk_03
-----CRANBERRY JUICE, ANYONE?
Cranberry juice loads the blood with lots of disease-fighting antioxidants.
It also appears to improve some cholesterol components, which are
beneficial in fighting heart disease, according to this study:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/62/71717.htm
-----GETTING HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
This new Web site offers information about free medications.
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=512164
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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.
-----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
On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EDT), Tony Hamel, who had a single
lung transplant February 2001, hosts a special on-top chat. 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
-----NOTE: EXERCISE CHAT RESCHEDULED
The weekly Exercise Chat has been changed from Sundays to
Mondays at 2 p.m. (EST) starting April 14 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. (EDT), 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. (EDT). 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/
-----LOVING THOUGHTS
Express your loving thoughts, get-well wishes and prayers for
our fellow community members, who are very ill or hospitalized.
To participate in this program of loving concern, please go to
http://www.copd-international.com/Loving_Thoughts/
-- Bill Horden, known as the "COPD Advocate" and a pioneer in
online support for COPDers, died March 30. To send condolences
to the Horden family, please go to the link above.
-- Anne from Vermont, one of our regulars here at COPD-International,
has been sick for several weeks, and could use some warm thoughts
and encouragement. A TLC page has set up for her at:
http://members.tripod.com/~copd_tlc/AnneVT.html
-----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/
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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-----SORRY I WAS LATE, BUT...
Worldwide staffing company Accountemps recently polled managers
at 1,000 large U.S. companies and asked, "What are some of the more
creative excuses you've heard for why employees are late for work or
meetings?" Other than childcare-related delays, the most cited reasons
involved canine companions. A sampling of the survey responses:
Bad, Bad Dog!
-- "The dog was asleep behind the car, so I couldn't back out of the driveway."
-- "My dog swallowed my car keys."
-- "My dog didn't come back after I let him out."
Commuting Calamities:
-- "I hit a mountain lion on the way to work." Employees also told
of run-ins with moose and bears.
-- "My garage door was frozen shut."
-- "The elevators in this building are too slow."
-- "The traffic lights were mistimed on my way in."
The Breakfast Challenges:
-- "A long line at the McDonald's drive-thru held me up."
-- "The line at Starbucks was out the door."
-- "The waitress spilled a latte on me."
Over-the-top Excuses
-- "I forgot what day it was. I thought it was the weekend."
-- "I couldn't remember what time zone I was in."
-- "I'm not late. I decided to change my hours to make them more convenient."
-- "The wind was blowing against me."
-- "My favorite actress got married. I needed time alone."
-- "The bartender wouldn't let me leave."
(Source: March 2003 Fortune Column by Anne Fisher)
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> > > > > > > > >>> RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----RECIPE FOR COOKING LIGHT
Adjusting to a lifestyle of light eating is a matter of using smart
cooking techniques and substituting low-fat ingredients for the
high-fat ones. Apply these techniques to your own favorite recipes
so that you still can enjoy them, but in a lighter style. See Tips:
http://houseandhome.msn.com/food/healthyfamilydinners0.aspx
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> > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into
a positive one.-- Dr. Hans Selye --
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Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!
Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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