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, May 12, 2003 Volume #2 -- Issue #19
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 - Be a Savvy Patient
==> 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
For those of us with a depilating disease, there is nothing more
annoying than being taken advantage of through schemes, hoaxes
and false promises of miracle cures. Many scams are easily
dismissed, while others can trip up the most discerning of health-
care consumers.
This issue touches on a few of the "hidden agendas" behind health-care
information in hopes that those of us with a need for reliable,
unbiased information can become more savvy consumers.
Remember the first rule of thumb for evaluating health claims: If it
sounds too good to be true, it probably is - no ifs, ands or buts
about it.
Included again are news links to information on Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), plus a link to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) warning about bogus health scams
related to the SARS epidemic.
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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-----OBESITY STRONGLY LINKED TO CANCER DEATH
A major new study from the American Cancer Society offers the
strongest evidence yet that being overweight increases your risk of
dying from cancer. Researchers suggest that as many as 90,000
cancer deaths in the U.S. each year may be related to obesity and
could be prevented. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/64/72212.htm
-----VITAMIN B-6 MAY DETER CANCER RISK IN SMOKERS
Vitamin B-6 consumption could lower the risk of several types of
cancer and be particularly important for individuals who smoke, U.S.
research suggests. See Details:
http://www.health-news.co.uk/showstory.asp?id=111120
-----EXERCISE CONTINUES TO GET A GOOD RAP
Older people can achieve significant improvements in their strength
and balance and reduce their risk of falls in just a few weeks on a
simple fitness program, according to U.S. research. The Project Urging
Senior Health (PUSH) project, sponsored by the University of Arkansas,
consisted of three 40-minute sessions per week, including stretching
and strengthening exercises. In addition to increasing strength and
improving balance, participants in the project had better mental
health and lower levels of "good" cholesterol. (HealthScout)
-----BACTERIAL LOAD, FEV1 DECLINE LINKED
Rising airway bacterial load and species changes are associated
with greater airway inflammation and accelerated decline in FEV1.
Bacterial colonization in COPD is an important factor in disease
progression, according to this research. See Article
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/167/8/1090
-----ALTITUDE ILLNESS - SYMPTOMS, TREATMENTS, TIPS
Altitude illness is common in people ascending to more than 2500
meters, especially if the ascent is rapid. In most cases it will
manifest as a mild, self- limiting illness, but in a few cases it will
progress to more severe, life-threatening forms. This article explains
the symptoms and available treatments.
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7395/915
-----FDA WANTS TO FOLLOW CLARTIN'S LEAD
The FDA wants to follow Claritin's lead by ordering other prescription
allergy medications to be sold over-the-counter, USA Today reports.
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=1501274
-----SARS UPDATE
COPD International Site:
-- News: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-news.htm
--Timeline:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/SARS-timeline.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
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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-----U.S CRACKS DOWN ON BOGUS SARS PRODUCTS
The U.S. government recently ordered 48 Web sites to quit promoting
bogus ways to prevent and treat SARS, as officials urged Americans
to beware of quacks preying on their fears.
Internet sites are illegally claiming that dietary supplements from
vitamin C and oregano oil to colloidal silver and belladonna can treat
or cure the new respiratory illness, U.S. regulators charged. Others
promise SARS "protection kits" that include personal air purifiers,
gloves, masks and alcohol wipes.
Not only don't these bogus treatments work, many could cause side
effects. See Warning: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/05/sars.htm
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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-----HEALTH ADS: TELLING THE GOOD FROM THE BAD
Lose pounds! Gain hair! Decrease your stress! Get healthier! Whew.
Looking at some health ads, you might imagine that there's a pill, a
potion or a device for literally everything that stands between you
and perfect health. But how do you make sense of all these competing
claims? See Tips:
http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/62/71827.htm?z=
1728_00000_1000_sl_06
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
-----CONSUMER GROUP SAYS BEWARE OF DRUG ADS
You can't trust the FDA to keep drug ads honest, a consumer group
warns. That doesn't mean the ads can't be useful - but prospective
patients had better be wary. See Story:
http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/58/66500.htm?lastse
lectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}
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.
-----BEWARE OF DRUG GIANTS' LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS
Patients could be misled or poorly informed by support groups with
links to drug giants, a U.K. consumer group said recently. The Which?
Report believes contributions from pharmaceutical companies to patient
groups could be doing more harm than good.
It also raised concerns over whether the information offered is
impartial or if pharmaceutical funding is influencing the messages
some organizations send out. Out of 125 patient organizations
surveyed, just 32 listed their donors, and only two explained their
funding policy.
(The Western Mail 03/04/03; p.10)
-----AND THOSE TONS OF PRIVATELY-FUNDED STUDIES
There are millions and millions of medical studies going on throughout
the world, many by reputable researchers, doctors and scientists. But,
many studies are also conducted by drug companies and others with a
financial or promotional investments in the outcomes.
When reading medical studies and research papers it is helpful to
know exactly who is funding such work and their reasons for doing so -
to promote their products or to promote unbiased medical advancements.
With the tons of health information available today - both on and
offline - checking the source can be helpful in determining the
validity and credibility of the information.
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> > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < <
< < < < < < <
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-----MORE BENEFITS TO DRINKING TEA
U.S. researchers say tea may prime the immune system to fight
infections and perhaps even cancer. The effect is due to the fact that
tea contains alkylamine antigens - chemicals which are also present in
some bacteria, tumor cells, parasites and fungi. Scientists at Brigham
and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston and the
University of New Hampshire say because the body is consistently
exposed to the chemicals it can build up a defense against them.
(BBC News Online)
-----ALZHEIMER'S - FLUID TEST SHOWS PROMISE
It could soon be possible to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with a test
on fluid taken from the spine. Scientists at the U.S. National
Institute of Mental Health say the technique is more accurate than the
brain scans and memory tests normally used to detect the disease, and
it could identify a patient at risk of Alzheimer's much earlier than
at present. Cerebrospinal fluid contains different levels of key
chemicals in patients with the disease - they have low levels of beta
amyloid, and high levels of tau, a chemical that can prevent neurons
from working properly.
(BBC News Online)
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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
New Daily Chat Scheduled
Beginning today, Monday, May 12, we are starting a new open chat at
midnight (EDT). That is 9 p.m. Pacific time for our late-night folks
and those that find our current chat times inconvenient for their time
zone.
On another note, due to severe weather throughout the country, many
hosts cannot make their scheduled chats. We try to cover all chats,
but on occasion, a storm front moves in before a host has a chance to
request a sub. Or, in some cases, a host may become suddenly ill.
Therefore, if you attend a chat and the host is not there, please
stay and chat without the host. All of our regular chatters are
perfectly able to help and guide participants and answer questions.
-----LUNG TRANSPLANT CHAT
On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EDT), Tony Hamel, who had a single
lung transplant February 2001, hosts a special on-topic 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
-----EXERCISE CHAT
The weekly Exercise Chat is held on Mondays at 2 p.m. (EST) in
the Exercise Chat Room. Join Host Tonie 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 CHATS
On Sundays, an additional caregivers chat is scheduled at 4 p.m.
(EDT) also hosted by Kitty. This is in addition to the 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 these weekly chats.
You can reach the Caregivers Chat Room at
http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm
(Note: Only caregivers in these chats 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
-----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/
-- Saundra Roberts is receiving treatments in Mexico, but is not
responding well and is in critical condition. She needs prayers to
give her strength to get back home safely.
-- Tim Cochran recently underwent a double-lung transplant,
according to his wife Louise. She said he is progressing nicely
for such a drastic operation and needs our prayers as he has a
long road to recovery.
-----VISIT THE BILL HORDEN LIBRARY
In addition to the "COPD Survival Guide," our Library includes the
other works of the late 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 - PLEASE 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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-----U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST: COULD YOU PASS?
If you were born a U.S. citizen, you didn't have to do anything to
become a citizen. But each year, thousands of people have to take
a test to gain citizenship. This quiz includes actual questions asked
on the exam given by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Quiz: http://encarta.msn.com/quiz/quiz.asp?QuizID=14
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----CREAM OF FRESH ASPARAGUS SOUP
There's nothing like fresh asparagus when it's in season -
take advantage!
Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready in: 40 Minutes
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine asparagus, chopped onion, and 1/2 cup
chicken broth. Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat,
and simmer uncovered until asparagus is tender, about 12 minutes.
Process the mixture in a blender to puree the vegetables. Set aside.
2. In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in
the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the remaining chicken broth, and increase the heat to medium.
Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture boils. Stir in the
asparagus puree and the milk.
3. Put the sour cream in a small bowl, and stir in a ladleful of the
hot soup. Add the sour cream mixture and the lemon juice to the soup.
Stir while heating the soup to serving temperature, but don't allow it
to boil.
Serve immediately.
(Allrecipes)
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> > > > > > > > > > CLOSING
THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."
-- Victor Borge --
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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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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.