COPD News from COPD-International -- Vol #2

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, January 13, 2003                        Volume #2 -- Issue #2
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004   COPD-International.com   All rights reserved.

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            > > > > > > > > > > IN THIS ISSUE < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Flu/Cold Season
==> 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
It's that time of year again when colds and the flu attack the
healthiest of people. Unfortunately, for those of us with COPD,
getting a bad cold or the flu can be life-threatening. Hopefully,
everyone has gotten a flu shot; although, that doesn't necessarily
mean that we can't contract another lesser-known strain.

Even though colds spread like wild fire, they are things we can do
to try and outfox the persistent little germs. This issue focuses on
these wintertime maladies and how we can best avoid them.
There are also some tips on what to do if we do get sick.

As always, at the first sign of any decline in your health, contact
your doctor. Early treatment can make the world of difference in
severity, duration and rate of recovery.

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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-----U.S. RATES IN FLU MORTALITY INCREASE
Despite the advent of a vaccine four decades ago, flu-related deaths in
the United States have risen dramatically since the 1970s, and influenza
now claims more lives each year than AIDS. The rising death toll is
attributed largely to the nation's growing number of elderly people,
who are especially vulnerable to the flu.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports
that that influenza may be taking an even larger toll than realized - an
important reminder of the vital need for getting an annual flu shot,
especially for older Americans and those with a chronic illness.

According to the report, Americans need to know:

-- Flu shots are free under Medicare.
-- The shots cannot give you the flu.
-- They need to get shots every year.

In fact, it's not too late to get a flu shot this year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
strongly recommends that individuals 65 and older, people in
nursing homes and people with chronic heart, lung or kidney
disease, diabetes, immunosuppression or severe forms of anemia
receive annual flu shots. (Source HHS Press Release)

-----FROM A DOCTOR'S VIEW - DIAGNOSING THE FLU
A recent article in the journal of American Family Physician says
during the influenza season, family physicians must distinguish influenza
from the common cold and other flu-like illnesses. Signs and symptoms
of influenza include:

-- abrupt onset of fever
-- severe myalgia (aches/pains)
-- anorexia
-- sore throat
-- headache
-- cough
-- malaise

To see other advice doctors share on diagnosing influenza, go to:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030101/111.html

-----NICOTINE MAY PLAY DUAL ROLE IN ILLNESSES
Can smoking be worse than we thought? Yes, according to this report
from the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Scientists had initially assumed
that nicotine was the addictive agent, and tar the carcinogen. Recent
evidence, however, suggests that things are not that simple, and that
nicotine and its derivatives themselves might also promote cancer
development and progression. See Report
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030106082544.htm

-----STUDY: FISH HELPS REVERSE ARTERY DAMAGE
Eating fish can help reverse the artery damage caused by smoking
which leads to heart attacks and strokes, according to this study.
Vitamin C was also beneficial, as was a gout treatment. See Study:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,869813,00.html

-----GLAXO DEAL GIVES HOPE FOR NEW COPD DRUGS
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Europe's biggest drug maker, announced it has
secured rights to experimental respiratory drugs from a privately held
U.S. biotechnology company.

The two companies will pool their long-acting Beta2 agonist compounds
with the goal of finding improved medicines for the treatment of both
asthma and COPD. See Business Report:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=businessNews&storyID=
1997110

-----SPIRIVA - ONE PATIENT'S POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
The link below leads to a firsthand account on Spiriva, which was sent to
our e-mail list Jan. 5, 2003 by Warren from OZ, a COPD International
community member. He has been on Spiriva for about three months.
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Spiriva_patients_perspective.htm

-----U.S. FDA OKS DRUG FOR HEREDITARY EMPHYSEMA
http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256
CA9005E7773

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.

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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-----COPD LIBRARY SHELVES FILLED WITH INFO
Our ever-growing Library contains several stories on infections and the flu
specifically for COPDers. Below are direct links to the information.

-- Infection Prevention Guidelines
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/infection-prevention.htm

-- Cold or Flu?
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/cold-flu-symptoms_treatment.htm

-- Influenza General
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/influenza_flu.htm

-- Influenza Facts/Myths
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/influenza-facts_flu.htm

-- Influenza Vaccine
http://www.copd-international.com/library/influenza-vaccine_flu.htm

-----ENCORE! COLD, FLU SURVIVORS' GUIDE
This guide has been in past newsletters and is worthy of mention
again even though it does duplicate some of the information above.
The guide is a collection of WebMD's best original news and feature
articles, plus reference information selected by its medical editors.
See Guide: http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/4068.101

-----SOME OLD WIVES TALES DO MAKE SENSE
Remember the old advice to feed a cold? Believe it - when you're
sick, these foods can help you kick it.
http://health.yahoo.com/search/miavita?lb=s&p=id%3A17959
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> > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----OXYGEN 101
This Discovery site has a "course" on oxygen. It is not technical in
nature, which makes it easy to understand. Discovery Campus:
http://www.discoverycampus.com/pub002/pub002.swf

-----EATING RIGHT TO FIGHT CANCER
Beyond quitting smoking, drinking less, losing weight and exercising,
lowering your risk of cancer is all about a healthy diet. Here's what to
eat, and what to avoid, to stack the odds in your favor. See Tips:
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/1671.53856

-----DANGERS LURKING WITHIN OUR HOMES
This new report cites common problems in the home that can
lead to household injuries, which are on the increase. Included
among the problems listed are:

-- Inadequate railings and banisters.
-- Unsafe storage of medications and other poisons.
-- Water heaters set at too high a temperature.
-- Firearms improperly stored or locked up.

See Story: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1738.55741

-----HOME OXYGEN SAFETY
This link leads to a Web site maintained by Pete Wilson, an oxygen
user. Here he outlines several safety tips from a user's perspective.
http://www.portableoxygen.org/o2safety.html#introduction
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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.

-----DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily and we invite everyone to
stop in and visit. We look forward to seeing you. The Chat Room
schedule can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.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.)

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

-----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

-----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/

A "book" of loving thoughts has been posted for Linda McKenzie,
who recently underwent gastric surgery. Many of you may
know her as "LindaMA." Please go to the link above to send
get-well wishes for her speedy recovery.

-----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 ALWAYS NEEDED
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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It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical
studies. The Japanese eat relatively little fat and suffer fewer heart
attacks than the British or Americans.

The French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart
attacks than the British or Americans.

The Japanese drink relatively little red wine and suffer
fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

The Italians drink generous amounts of red wine and also
suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages
and other fatty foods and suffer fewer heart attacks than the
British or Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----PASTA SHELLS WITH SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI
An excellent dish using smoked sausage for zest.

Ingredients

6 oz - small pasta shells, cooked al dente in salted water
1 tbsp - extra-virgin olive oil
¼ lb - smoked sausage, sliced or cubed, ¼" thick
1 clove - fresh garlic, minced
1 ½ cup - fresh broccoli florets
1/3 cup - chicken stock or broth
1 pinch - coarse-ground black pepper
¼ cup - Parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic for 20 seconds,
add chicken stock, broccoli and sausage and simmer, covered, until
broccoli is fork tender. Add pepper to taste, add pasta and toss, then
take to the plate. Serves 2.

From Bill Horden's "SOB in the Kitchen"
For more of Bill's recipes: Click Here

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> > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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-----IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood: Walk in the rain, collect
rainbows, smell flowers, stop along the way, build sand castles, watch the
moon and stars come out, say hello to everyone, make up new rules, go
on adventures, act silly, take bubble baths, hold hands and hug and kiss,
dance, laugh and cry for the health of it, feel happy, say the magic words
and trust the universe."

-- Bruce Williamson, philosopher --
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