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 19, 2003                            Volume #2 -- Issue #20
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2003   COPD-International.com    All rights reserved.

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         > > > > > > > > > >    IN THIS ISSUE    < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Pulmonology
==> 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 COPD, a good, proactive doctor is not only
a must, but also a true blessing. As in all professions, there are the
good, mediocre and bad; sometimes we have to experience the latter
two in our search for a good, caring lung specialist - referred to as
a pulmonologist.

Getting a competent pulmonologist who is up to date on the
newest medical protocols and is accessible in times of emergencies
is a must. Also, it is ideal to have a reliable primary care physician
who can work with your specialist in planning the best course of
medical treatment.

This week's issue focuses on pulmonology.

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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-----APPLE A DAY MAY KEEP PULMONOLGIST AWAY
New research suggests we can all breathe easier - literally - by
eating an apple a day. Researchers at the University of Nottingham in
the U.K. report that persons eating more than five apples a week - the
proverbial "apple a day" - had better lung function and lower risk of
respiratory disease such as asthma than non-apple eaters. See Story"
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/agromedicine/toolbox/pulmonologist.htm

-----STUDY: LVRS ENHANCES QUALITY OF LIFE
This study concludes that in COPD patients with heterogeneous
emphysema, lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) resulted in
important benefits in disease specific quality of life compared with
medical management, which were sustained at 12 months after
treatment. See Details:
http://thorax.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/5/405

-----FDA APPROVES NEW DRUG FOR LUNG CANCER
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the
approval of Iressa (gefitinib) tablets as a single agent treatment for
patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the
most common form of lung cancer in the United States. See Story:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00901.html

-----COUNSELING MAY HELP SMOKERS QUIT
Smokers who want to quit may find it more beneficial to visit
a psychologist than to use nicotine replacement therapy, according
to a U.K. expert. See Story
http://www.health-news.co.uk/showstory.asp?id=111400

-----STUDY COMPARES TIOTROPIUM, SALMETEROL
In this study, exacerbations of COPD and health resource usage were
positively affected by daily treatment with tiotropium (Spiriva). With
the exception of the number of hospital days associated with all
causes, salmeterol (Serevent) twice daily resulted in no significant
changes compared with placebo. Tiotropium also improved health related
quality of life, dyspnea and lung function in patients with COPD. See
Study: http://thorax.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/5/399

-----STUDY FINDS CPAPS BENEFIT HEART PATIENTS
Adding continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to medical therapy
in patients who have obstructive sleep apnea and congestive heart
failure both improves systolic function and lowers blood pressure. See
Study:
http://www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/archive/2003/ima052003.html

----TIME SLOWS FOR NON-SMOKERS
Time really does pass more slowly when you are gasping for cigarette,
reveals a new study demonstrating that smokers who are deprived of
cigarettes have an altered perception of time. See Study
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993715

-----FDA CLEARS NEW TEST TO MONITOR ASTHMA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared for marketing
a first-of-a-kind, non-invasive test system to measure the
concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled human breath. The test system
should help make it easier for doctors to monitor a patient's asthma.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01219.html

-----SOURCE FOR COMPLETE SARS COVERAGE
MSNBC News has setup complete in-depth online coverage of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). See Coverage:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/sars_front.asp?0dm=H204H

TAKE THE MSN SARS SURVEY
To gauge opinion about the SARS crisis, MSN has taken
an e-mail survey to see how a group of Internet users would
answer important questions about SARS. MSN has posted
the same questions at the link below.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/msn/front6.asp?0sl=-12

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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-----WHAT IS PULMONOLOGY?
Pulmonology is the branch of internal medicine that diagnoses and
treats diseases and abnormalities of the chest and lungs, including
tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and sleep
apnea.

A pulmonologist is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge
and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung)
conditions and diseases. And....that's an understated definition! See
Why: http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/pulmonologist.shtml

----WORD OF MOUTH
It is not unusual for many of us to go through several pulmonary
specialists before finding one that is proactive and sensitive to
our personal needs. Referrals from our primary care physicians
and other medical professionals can be helpful, but word of mouth
can also serve us well when looking for a good pulmunologist.
Ask around - stop by the local pulmonary rehabs and talk to other
pulmonary patients. Also, respiratory therapists usually have an
inside track on who are the best specialists in their field.

-----WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Maintaining the best health possible with COPD requires a good
medical team, which includes a pulmonologist, family physician and
pharmacist. Start by talking to those in charge of your care. See
Tips: http://www.lung.ca/breathworks/E03.html

-----QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR
This checklist is a collection of questions gathered from a variety
of sources and people with COPD. More questions can be added
to fit your individual needs.
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/questions.htm

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   > > > > > > > > > >    NUTRITION/WELLNESS    < < < < < < < < < <
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-----HOME REMEDIES
White vinegar as a sunburn remedy? Toothpaste as a zit zapper? Do
these home remedies really do the trick? Well, some of them do. Find
out which everyday household items can cure what ails you.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/63/72039.htm

-----WHERE'S THE ECHINACEA?
In recent years, the herbal supplement echinacea has gained a
reputation as a cold fighter and an immune-system booster.
Unfortunately, though, that bottle of echinacea in your medicine
cabinet may not contain the same amount of the herb as is indicated on
the label. In fact, it may not contain any echinacea at all! See
Story: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/62/71775.htm

----VITAMINS "MAY BE HARMFUL"
The biggest safety review yet of vitamins and minerals concludes
that people who take dietary supplements may be harming their
health, with side effects of excessive use including cancer, liver
damage and weakened bones. The U.K. Food Standards Agency says
six supplements - beta carotene, nicotinic acid, zinc, manganese,
phosphorus and vitamin B6 - can cause irreversible harm if taken in
high doses, and three have temporary side effects. It says too much
vitamin C may be damaging but that users are unlikely to suffer any
long-term effect if they stop taking it. (The Independent Online
08/05/03)
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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. Also during the week, special on-topic chats
are held. We look forward to seeing you.

Also a reminder: A new open chat is held daily 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.

The complete chat room schedule can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.htm

-----ON-TOPIC CHATS

-- Lung Transplants
On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EDT), Tony Hamel, who had a single
lung transplant February 2001, hosts this on-topic chat.
http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/chat.htm

-- Exercise
A weekly Exercise Chat is held on Mondays at 2 p.m. (EST).
Join Host Tonie in this informal chat setting to discuss exercise,
getting started, motivational tips, advanced tips and much more.
Exercise Chat Room:
http://www.copd-international.com/exercise/chat.htm

-- Caregivers
On Sundays at 4 p.m. (EDT) and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EDT),
caregivers chats are hosted by Kitty. We invite all caregivers who
are in need of mutual support to join in these chats.
(Note: Only caregivers in these chats please.)
http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm

-- Quit Smoking Now
If you want online support to quit smoking, join our interactive
Quit Smoking Now (QSN) Program. For more information on
the program, contact Diane, program coordinator, at
Newsletter@COPD-International.com

The QSN chat is held on Mondays at 9 p.m. (EDT) 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

-----LUNG TRANSPLANT STORIES

--- Community member Lance Woodard has been keeping
an ongoing diary of his recent lung transplant experience.
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Lungtx-Lance.htm

-- You can read about Tony Hamel's transplant experience at
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/lungtx.htm

-----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
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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-----FOLLOWING DOCTOR'S ORDER

Patient: It's been one month since my last visit and I still feel
miserable.

Doctor: Did you follow the instructions on the medicine I gave you?
Patient: I sure did.

The bottle said "keep tightly closed."

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               > > > > > > > > > >     RECIPE      < < < < < < < < < <
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-----IT'S GRILL TIME!

It's that time of year again when thoughts of grilling outdoors starts
to stir the most discriminating of taste buds. Rub elbows with those
who have mastered the art of grilling. See Tips:
http://houseandhome.msn.com/Food/Experts/MasteringYourGrill0.aspx
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     > > > > > > > > > >     CLOSING THOUGHT     < < < < < < < < < <
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Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

-- Erma Bombeck --

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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 information provided should be judged as individual "opinions"
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