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 26, 2003
Volume #2 -- Issue #21
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 - NETT Study
==> 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,
contradiction 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 National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) is a landmark
five-year study, which clarified short-term and long-term risks and
benefits of bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) to treat
severe emphysema.
The NETT also identified characteristics that help determine which
patients are most likely to benefit from LVRS and which patients
are at greater risk of death and complications from LVRS.
The long-waited results of NETT were presented at the American
Thoracic Society International Conference on May 20, 2003. The
results will have a direct bearing on whether Medicare will decide to
cover this type of surgery.
This issue focuses on the findings of the long-term trial, which
included 1218 individuals.
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 email
Newsletter@COPD-International.com
Yours in health ...
Susie
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> > > > > > > > > COPD NEWS < < < < < < < < <
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-----SARS MAY STRIKE U.S. NEXT YEAR
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus likely will
reappear in the United States and Europe next flu season and cause
some deaths, the U.S. health and human services secretary said
recently. See Story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/915959.asp
-----WHICH ALLERGY PRODUCTS WORK?
If you have chronic allergies, you're probably willing to try any new
product that comes along in the hopes of stifling your sniffles,
sneezes and watery eyes. And there's no shortage of products - a
multimillion-dollar industry offers a wide range of devices and
concoctions that promise to ease your suffering. But which ones really
work? See Tips: http://www.msnbc.com/news/796321.asp
-----FDA GIVES NOD TO NEW VEST CLEARANCE SYSTEM
St. Paul, Minnesota-based Advanced Respiratory Inc. reported that
it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to market a smaller and more portable model of its Vest airway
clearance system. The Vest is a medical device designed as an
alternative to manual chest therapy for people with chronic lung
disorders and diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy and
COPD. See Details:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_12764.html
-----FDA CLEARS TEST FOR ASPERGILLUS
The FDA recently cleared for marketing the first rapid laboratory test
for a life-threatening invasive fungal infection that occurs in
leukemia patients, organ and bone marrow transplant patients and
patients whose immune systems are compromised by illness or
chemotherapy. The test will allow doctors to diagnose invasive
aspergillus infection quicker and begin treatment with anti-fungal
drugs sooner. See Press Release:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00907.html
-----NEW DEVICE AVAILABLE FOR GERDS
The FDA has approved Enteryx, a permanent, implantable device to
treat symptoms of acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). It's the first FDA-approved alternative to drugs or surgery
for GERD. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/64/72214.htm
-----LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
Could the common cold one day be a thing of the past? In recent
studies, an experimental drug proved to have the power to both
prevent and treat colds. See Details:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/64/72333.htm
-----CURBING PANIC ATTACKS NATURALLY
Many COPDers experience all-too-common symptoms of panic attacks (also
known as panic disorder), which include a feeling of intense fear,
sense of doom or feeling of unreality, accompanied by physical
symptoms such as a racing or pounding heartbeat and difficulty
breathing. This link leads to tips on how to cope naturally.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/64/72548.htm?z=3734_00000_
1000_lb_02
-----NHLBI ISSUES NEW BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently
released new clinical practice guidelines for the prevention,
detection and treatment of high blood pressure. The guidelines feature
altered blood pressure categories and also streamline the steps by
which doctors diagnose and treat patients, and recommend the use of
diuretics as part of the drug treatment plan for high blood pressure
in most patients. See Revised Guidelines:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/new/press/03-05-14.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 RECALL
-- Enalapril Maleate
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Enalapril-Maleate_recall.htm
-- Fiber Drugs
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Fiber-Drugs_recall.htm
-- Lipitor
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Lipitor_recall.htm
-- Levothroid
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Levothroid_recall2.htm
-- Levoxyl
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Levoxyl_recall.htm
-- Liquid Oxygen
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Liquid-oxygen_recall2.htm
-- Nicotine Gum
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Nicotine-Gum_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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-----DETAILED INFORMATION ON NETT STUDY
The NETT study clarified short-term and long-term risks and benefits
of LVRS to treat severe emphysema. This link leads to the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's extensive information on the study.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/nett/lvrsweb.htm
-----BENEFITS OUTLINED
This press release comes from Johns Hopkins, one of the 17 clinical
research centers across the U.S. that participated in the study.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2003/May/030520.htm
-----NETT STUDY FINDINGS MIXED
An expensive and widely promoted lung operation for severe
emphysema can make many patients feel better but on average
does not prolong their lives, researchers said recently, reporting
on the first large study (NETT) of the procedure. View Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/21/health/21LUNG.html
Editor's Note: This web site may require that one complete
a short, anonymous user survey before accessing the article.
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----NOT ALL SUNSCREENS CREATED EQUAL
Some don't protect against UVA rays, which may cause skin cancer.
See Tips:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=1&page=
newsdetail&id=513023
-----WHAT? ONLY ONE MEAL A DAY!
Eating one meal a day can help fend off diabetes, protect brain cells
and extend longevity, according to a study of rodents that could have
far-reaching implications for humans.
Dr Mark Mattson, from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) in
Baltimore, said, "What we are finding is that even two meals a day is
better than three." He suggests that in animals, meal skipping puts
cells in the body under stress, so they make more stress-resistant
proteins.
He is now designing a human trial to see if eating the same amount of
calories in one sitting, rather than in three meals, is beneficial.
(The Daily Telegraph)
-----HOW MUCH EXERCISE IS ENOUGH?
How much exercise is enough? Here are some tips for making
sense of all that conflicting fitness advice.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/910636.asp?0si
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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.
>>>>> NEW! <<<>>> CHEER BEAR PROGRAM <<<<<<<
Our Cheer Bear Program is staffed by volunteers from our
various programs. It is designed to anonymously send cards and
caring thoughts to those subscribers and caregivers who may be
going through tough times or celebrating the good times. To
request a visit from the Cheer Bear, please go to the link below.
http://www.copd-international.com/cheerbear/
-----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. (EDT).
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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----- BAD, BAD BIRD
A man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a
bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of
the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John gently tried to change the bird's attitude with no luck.
Finally John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot.
The parrot yelled back.
In desperation, he threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him
in the freezer.
For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.
Then suddenly there was total quiet. Fearing that he had hurt the
parrot, John quickly opened the freezer door.
The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arm and said,
"I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions.
I am sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I
fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and
unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about
to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his
behavior,the bird continued...
"May I ask what the chicken did?"
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> > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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----- SKILLET CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI
Cheesy broccoli pairs with sautéed chicken for a quick family supper.
Prep/Cook Time: 20 min.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. butter OR margarine
4 boneless chicken breasts halves
1 can Campbell's 98% Fat Free Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup
1/3 cup water
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets
Directions:
HEAT butter in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned.
ADD soup, water, pepper and broccoli. Heat to a boil. Cover and
cook over low heat 5 min. or until done. Serves 4.
(Campbell's
Kitchen)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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The important thing is not to stop questioning.
-- Albert Einstein --
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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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