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, June 16, 2003                           Volume #2 -- Issue #24
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2003   COPD-International.com    All rights reserved.

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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 - National Asthma Conference 2003
==> 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
The nation's leading asthma clinicians, researchers and public
health experts will present the latest scientific advances in asthma
prevention and control at a national conference June 19-21 at the
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Conference highlights include reports on novel approaches for
treating asthma attacks; environmental triggers of asthma attacks;
the health effects of outdoor air pollution; innovative and effective community
programs; and creative ways to educate patients.

Under Featured Articles is information on how to access the live
Webcast of keynote speakers. If you have trouble accessing the
Webcasts, future newsletters will include highlights of the conference.

Although there is some disagreement in the medical community whether
or not asthma should be included under the umbrella-term COPD, many
of us do have asthmatic components to our lung disease. Those of us
who do respond well to the same treatment and drugs prescribed for
asthma.

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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-----WHO URGES VIGILANCE DESPITE SARS DECLINE
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=
2919527

-----SOME COPD PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM NPPV
This review concludes that patients with severe exacerbations of
COPD benefit from the addition of noninvasive positive-pressure
ventilation (NPPV) to standard therapy. See Review:
http://www.annals.org/issues/v138n11/abs/200306030-00007.html

-----STUDY SHOWS DRUG HELPS SLEEP APNEA PATIENTS
New research shows the first promising treatment for sleep apnea. It
shows an antidepressant, called mirtazapine, may be effective in
treating the common and life-threatening sleep disorder. See
Article:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=1&page=newsdetail&id=
8006333

-----SLEEP APNEA? CHECK THIS LIST OF SYMPTOMS
This evaluation of complaints in patients suspected of sleep apnea
syndrome (SAS) may be a useful tool for detecting SAS, and for
predicting the SAS type and intensity. See Article:
http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijpm/vol3n1
/apnea.xml

-----CARDIOVASCULAR SAFETY OF SALMETEROL
The conclusions of this study showed that treatment with salmeterol
does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in this
population of COPD patients compared with placebo. See Abstract:
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/6/1817

-----STUDY - COPD DIANOSIS SPURS SMOKERS TO QUIT
Being diagnosed with COPD seems to help motivate smokers to quit. So
finds a Polish study in this month's issue of Chest. The study of
nearly 1,200 people found smokers were newly diagnosed with COPD who
receive advice from a doctor on quitting are more likely to stop
smoking or smoke less than smokers with normal lung function. See
Article: http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=
1&id=513514

-----NEW ASTHMA MEDICATION ON HORIZON
Later this month the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will
decide whether or not to approve a new medication for allergic
asthma called Xolair. Chances for approval are good since an
advisory committee voted unanimously in favor of it. The drug has
generated great interest for treating allergic asthma and other
allergies because it stops the allergic reaction before it gets
started. The National Jewish faculty did some of the research on
this promising new drug and a closely related one used to treat
peanut allergies. See Details: http://www.nationaljewish.org/fp8.html

-----CANCER CLOSING IN ON WOMEN SMOKERS
Though breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer causing
death among women, lung cancer rates have doubled among older women,
according to this Australian report. See Article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/11/1055220656644.html

-----MRI MAY AVERT STROKE
Research indicates that the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
to assess bleeding in arteries affected by plaques may help predict
heart attack or stroke. Canadian and U.K. scientists say MRI detects
high-risk complicated plaques in the neck arteries of 60 percent of
people with signs or symptoms that often precede stroke. "If we can
identify dangerous plaque, these drugs may be able to stabilize
plaque before symptoms begin," says lead author Alan Moody of
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Center in Toronto.
(HealthScout)

-----STUDY FOCUSES ON CHRONIC SINUSITIS RELIEF
In a new study, researchers report treatment with interferon gamma
resulted in marked improvement in treatment-resistant sinus
infections. See Story:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=8006313

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 RECALLS
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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-----ASTHMA CONFERENCE JUNE 19-21 2003
Sponsored by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
(NAEPP), the National Asthma Conference will be held this week
June 19-21 in Washington, D.C. During the three-day conference,
leading asthma experts will present new research and insights.

NAEPP is administered and coordinated by the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NAEPP works with intermediaries,
including major medical associations, voluntary health organizations
and community programs to educate patients, health professionals and
the general public.

The goal of the NAEPP is to enhance the quality of life for patients
with asthma and decrease asthma-related morbidity and mortality.

-----TUNE IN TO THE CONFERENCE
Can't make it to the national conference in Washington, D.C.? Then
tune in to the Webcast!

Throughout the three-day conference there will be key sessions
Webcast live worldwide. The Webcast will begin at 8 a.m. (EDT) on
Thursday, June 19 and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday,
June 21.

To view the complete Webcast schedule with names of speakers,
presentation topics and specific times of each presentation, go to
http://www.Asthma2003.net/ and click on "Webcast."

Editor's Note: To view the Webcast sessions, you must have RealOne
Player. The program can be downloaded free at http://www.real.com/
When you access this link, you will see the link on the top upper
right-hand corner to download the FREE version.
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       > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----THOSE DARN GERMS ARE EVERYWHERE
Despite all the recent news stories about a killer virus and exotic
diseases, keep in mind that the bugs you already know may be worse
than the bugs you read about. See Tips: http://www.msnbc.com/news/924230.asp

-----EXERCISE TIPS - FACT OR FICTION?
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) sorts through what we've
heard about health and fitness - the myths vs. the truth. See Story:
http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/64/72532.htm?
DEST=WebMD_contentSRC_nsmain

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.

-----WORRIED ABOUT YOUR DREAMS?
Do your nightmares leave you wondering whether you are suppressing
serious problems? Here's a simple explanation from the American
Family Physician to help you figure that out.

Dreams can occur at any point of the sleep cycle, and even frequent
bad dreams don't indicate psychiatric or psychological problems.
That applies to children, who may have night terrors, as much as to
adults. Just relax and go back to sleep.

But if you have the same bad dream over and over, you might think
about getting professional help. It's one of the common symptoms of
post-traumatic stress disorder. (HealthScoutNews)
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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.

-----CHEER BEAR PROGRAM
Know someone who could use get-well wishes or is celebrating
a special occasion? Participate in our Cheer Bear Program by
requesting a visit from the Cheer Bear. To request a visit, please
go to http://www.copd-international.com/cheerbear/

-----LOVING THOUGHTS
Express your loving thoughts, get-well wishes and prayers for
our fellow community members, who are very ill or hospitalized.

-- George, husband of caregiver chat host Kitty, recently broke his
hip. He is in the hospital and undergoing further tests. Their
Loving Thoughts page is at
http://www.copd-international.com/Loving_Thoughts/Kitty

-----DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily and we invite everyone
to stop in and visit. Also the special weekly on-topic chats are
listed below. We look forward to seeing you.

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

-----ON-TOPIC CHATS (All Eastern Time)
-- Lung Transplants - Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Tony Hamel,
who had a single-lung transplant, hosts this chat.
http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/chat.htm

-- Exercise Chat - Mondays at 2 p.m. (EDT). Join Host
Tonie in this informal chat setting.
http://www.copd-international.com/exercise/chat.htm

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

-- Quit Smoking Now (QSN) - Mondays at 9 p.m.
Diane, QSN program coordinator, host this chat.
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/chat.htm
For more information on the interactive program, contact
Diane at Newsletter@COPD-International.com

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

-----VISIT THE LIBRARY SECTIONS
In addition to writings of the late Bill Horden, including the "COPD
Survival Guide," our Library features topics on COPD. To view the
Library sections, please go to http://www.copd-international.com/Library/

-----VOLUNTEERS
This site is supported and maintained by COPDers and volunteers
are always needed. 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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-----STOLEN CAR REPORT
An elderly Floridian calls 911 on her cell phone to report that her
car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her
situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the
steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she
cries.

The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way." A few
minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard," he says, "She
got in the back seat by mistake."
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                      > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < <
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-----ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
    1 1/2 pounds asparagus
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    salt to taste
    2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
    1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
    2. Prepare the asparagus spears by cutting off the last inch or
       so of the woody stalk. Spread the asparagus spears on a baking
       sheet. Brush them with olive oil, especially the tips, and
       sprinkle with salt.
    4. Roast the asparagus on the top rack of the oven until the
       stalks begin to get tender on the outside, about 10 to 12
       minutes. (Thin asparagus spears will take less time, while
       thicker spears will take more.)
    5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle the asparagus
       with the Parmesan cheese and roast for another 30 seconds.
       Remove from the oven and serve. Serves 4 (FoodFit)
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         > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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To array a man's will against his sickness is the supreme art of
medicine.
                                    -- Henry Ward Beecher --
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Thank You For Your Readership
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