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 14, 2003                            Volume #2 -- Issue #15
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 - COPD Medical Terms
==> 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
Medical terms. Who the heck can spell them, let alone pronounce
them? Medical terminology is definitely a language unto itself, but we
don't have to let that intimidate us.

Knowing the basic medical terms used in describing COPD, related
symptoms and treatment can help us better understand our disease
and make communicating with our doctors a lot easier.

This issue features a few of the more commonly used terms for COPD,
plus links to other more detailed sources, where you can familiarize
yourself with the medical lingo used in the treatment of COPD.

Also, the news section again leads off with the recent updates on Severe
Acute Respiratory Disease (SARS), which continues to spread worldwide.

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
A month after the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first
global alert about an epidemic of a mysterious new respiratory disease,
the agency said this week that the epidemic appeared under control in
most countries, although too little was known about its spread in China.

The organization said the epidemic had peaked in Guangdong Province
of China, the region where the disease, known as Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), is believed to have appeared for the first time in
November.

Although the spread of SARS continues, this is the first positive news
surrounding the mystery illness and researchers believe that they have
identified the illness as a coronavirus, which will help them in determining
treatment.

Links to SARS updates and detailed information:

COPD International Site:
      -- News: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-news.htm
      -- FAQs: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-FAQs.htm

         U.S. CDC Site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/index.htm

         WebMD Site: http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/62/71672.htm

----CONSUMER GROUP SAYS "DON'T USE FORTEO"
First, Public Citizen, a consumer group, warned the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) not to approve Forteo, a new drug
for osteoporosis. Now the group is warning patients not to take it.
But the maker says the first-of-a-kind osteoporosis drug is safe and
effective. See Story: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/63/71916.htm

-----NEW TEST FOR TB PROMISING
Researchers from the University of Oxford in England say the
conventional skin-prick test used for detecting tuberculosis (TB)
may soon be obsolete. A recent study shows a simple blood test,
known as ELISPOT, could identify TB more accurately. See Details:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=
8005851

-----RESEARCHERS SAY BEWARE OF E-PHARMACIES
Australian researchers say people who buy medicines over the Internet
could be putting their health at risk. A survey of more than 100 pharmacy
Web sites shows that few provide adequate information and many fail to
inform customers of the consequences of combining certain drugs.

Researchers from Monash University in Victoria say in the journal Quality
and Safety in Health Care, "Consumers cannot make an informed decision
about purchasing a medicine using information provided by e-pharmacies."
(BBC News Online)

-----ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION MIXED BLESSING
When it comes to health care, the Internet is a mixed blessing. We now
have more health and medical information at our fingertips than anyone
ever dreamed possible just a few short years ago. But how reliable are
these resources? See Story: http://www.aarp.org/confacts/health/
wwwhealth.html

-----NEW ASTHMA DRUG COMES WITH HUGE PRICE
A new genetically engineered asthma drug, Xolair, could transform the
treatment of severe asthma by shutting down a key molecular trigger
of asthma attacks. But at a likely cost of at least $10,000 per year,
the powerful new drug could be a budget-buster. See Story:
http://www.lunglifecenter.com/content/article_display.cfm?id=1010&poid
=pulm

-----AGING, DISABILITY AFFECT COPD DIAGNOSIS
Asthma in the elderly is frequently confused with COPD. Misdiagnosis
can be related to older age and to greater degree of disability. Asthma
in patients with mild functional impairment may be under diagnosed
in spite of overt respiratory symptoms suggestive of asthma, according
to this study. http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1066

-----CLINICAL RESEARCH URGED IN FIELD OF COPD
A group of experts who met recently identified important questions in
the field of respiratory care and made the following recommendations
in this workshop summary. http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/
167/8/1142

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.copd-international.com/Library/Recalls.htm
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       > > > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < < <
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-----FOR STARTERS - A FEW COMMON COPD TERMS

-----GET AQUAINTED WITH YOUR DISEASE
A good way to become familiar with COPD medical terminology and
related topics is to visit the COPD Library when you have some free
time. The library is loaded with topics all relating to lung disease. Also,
the Bill Horden Wing offers the inspirational and encouraging writings
of this dedicated COPD advocate. The Links:
       http://www.copd-international.com/Library/contents.htm
       http://www.copd-international.com/COPDAdvocate/

-----LINKS TO COPD GLOSSARIES

At our COPD International website
      -- COPD Terms - http://www.copd-international.com/Library/glossary.htm
      -- Frequently Used Medical Abbreviations
         http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Medabbreviations.htm

COPD Dictionary
         http://www.coloradohealthsite.org/COPD/dictionary.html

Combivent Library
         http://www.combivent.com/glossary.htm
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       > > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----WHAT? NO BACON!
Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day.
But what you eat for breakfast is equally relevant, according to the Johns
Hopkins Medical Center. Foods like bacon, eggs, doughnuts, sausages,
butter and cream may fill your stomach, but they'll also give you an over-
dose of saturated fat. Here are some more nutritious alternatives.
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=
512185

-----MIX AND MATCH THOSE FOOD GROUPS
New research from U.K.-based Institute of Food Research reveals
that two food components recognized for their ability to fight cancer
are up to 13 times more powerful when put to work together.
Sulforaphane is found at high concentrations in broccoli, sprouts,
cabbage, watercress and salad rocket. Selenium-rich foods include
nuts, poultry, fish, eggs, sunflower seeds and mushrooms. See Article:
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=7366

-----"SPICE" COULD ENHANCE FOOD SAFETY
Scientists in Canada say additives containing antibodies could offer some
protection against food-poisoning bacteria. Researchers at the University
of Alberta have developed a food additive, derived from egg yolk, in which
antibodies specific to E.coli, salmonella, campylobacter, staphylococcus and
listeria can be mass-produced. Dr. Hoon Sunwoo, says, "This 'spice'
represents a safe, easy and inexpensive way to enhance your protection
against germs that attack humans via food. One day, it will be found in
everybody's spice cabinet." (BBC News Online)

-----FRESH OJ WORTH THE CASH?
Freshly squeezed orange juice is essentially as good for us as pasteurized
orange juice, reports scientists. See Story
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=7313
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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 today 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

-----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/

-----VOLUNTEERS - LEND A HAND
This site is supported and maintained by COPDers. It is not
uncommon for us to have severe bouts 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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-----WACKY TAX DAY CARTOONS
          http://cagle.slate.msn.com/news/Tax2003/main.asp
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                > > > > > > > > >>> RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----EASTER RECIPE GUIDE
           http://holiday.allrecipes.com/features/easter.asp?tsrc=rn

-----PASSOVER RECIPE GUIDE
           http://holiday.allrecipes.com/features/passover.asp?tsrc=rn
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           > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."

-- Rudyard Kipling --

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   > > > > > > > > > > SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE < < < < < < < < < <
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Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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All Disclaimers Apply: The information and guidance provided in this
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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.