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, August 4, 2003                         Volume #2 -- Issue #31
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 - Medication Tips
==> 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
helpingone 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
Most of us with COPD take a slew of medications. Although, the list
may seem overwhelming, a list is exactly what we need to make. Even
for those of us who have been on the same medications regime for
quite some time, it is still easy to get confused, especially when
yet another new drug is prescribed.

The first thing we can do is compile a complete list of ALL our
medications, including dosages and times to be taken. Several copies
of the list can then be printed out, keeping one with our
medications, another in our wallet, one for our other healthcare
providers and one for our caregiver or family members.

Daily/weekly pill organizers/cases can also be purchased online or
at your local pharmacy.

Under Featured Articles is more information on how to keep track of
your medications.

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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-----TOMORROW'S CYLINDERS TODAY
Space age technology has made it possible to replace aluminum oxygen
cylinders with a new type of cylinder that is lighter in weigh and
holds more oxygen. Firefighters and SCUBA divers use them with great
success. The Mt. Everest climbers carry their oxygen to the top in
them. They have been adopted for medical use across the world, from
Europe, where they are fast replacing steel and aluminum cylinders,
to Japan, where most oxygen users use them for their portable
needs.

These cylinders are being introduced into the United States. The
cylinder manufacturer is planning to distribute them to independent
oxygen providers, so that these providers can try them out.

Pete Wilson, the founder of the Web site "Portable Oxygen: A User's
Perspective" and an active member of our list, has persuaded the
manufacturer to direct some of these cylinders through him to those
of us who have the greatest need for more oxygen in lighter weight
containers.

If you are interested in participating, Pete asks that you look at
the article on his Web site at http://www.portableoxygen.org/august.html

If you choose to participate, there is no cost to you or to your
oxygen provider. Also, please take time to thank Pete for what he is
doing. He is not compensated for this service or for any of the work
he does on behalf of oxygen users.

-----FDA SETS MEETING ON ARIFLO
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drugs Advisory
Committee is meeting on September 5 to consider GlaxoSmithKline's
new drug application for Ariflo, a PDE-IV inhibitor, for use in
treating COPD. The only information on the FDA Web site to date is
the notice of the meeting. Information on Ariflo can be found at the
link below.
http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/ariflo/

-----SMOKING LINKED TO PANIC ATTACKS
Studies in the past have suggested an association between smoking
and mental disorders. Now, new research finds a unique connection
between smoking and the risk of a panic attack. See Article:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=1&page=newsdetail&id=
8006634

-----NEW BLOOD TEST FOR STRESS
Scientists at Oxford University have pioneered the world's first
accurate stress measuring blood test. Their test identifies changes
in the immune system by exposing a drop of blood to a chemical that
mimics bacteria. The level of the response in the white cells is
used as a measure of stress levels. "It makes the white blood cells
react as if they had been challenged by bacteria. If they have been
challenged in the immediate past [eg by stress], they are less able
to mount a coping response," says David Macdonald, professor of
zoology at Oxford. (The Independent Online)

-----2003 TOP 10 WORSE ASTHMA HOT SPOTS
Where in the United States is it hardest for asthma sufferers to
live comfortably? Which cities make living with asthma easier?
Sperling's BestPlaces recently completed a study that ranks 100 U.S.
metropolitan areas according to asthma prevalence and the degree to
which environmental "triggers" and other factors make living with
asthma a particular challenge. See Ratings:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/asthma-hot-spots_2003.htm

-----COMPANY CLAIMS MAPPING OF SARS VIRUS
A small biotechnology company announced that it has determined the
three-dimensional structure of a crucial enzyme in the virus that
causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an accomplishment
that could accelerate efforts to develop treatments for the deadly
respiratory disease. See Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/30/business/
30SARS.html

Editor's Note: This article is available free of charge for
online subscribers. To access the article you need only fill
out a short user form.

-----TEST SHOW RIGHT ATTITUDE KEEPS COLDS AT BAY
A good attitude may not fend off all of life's woes, but it can help
you avoid catching a cold, a new study says. Researchers from
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh gave 334 healthy volunteers
a series of surveys that were translated into scores of positive or
negative "emotional styles" and then squirted a virus that causes
colds up the volunteers' noses.

People who were most likely to describe themselves with words like
happy, pleased and relaxed came down with colds at one-third the
rate of the people who were the least likely to use those words, the
researchers found. Test Results:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/29/health/29ATT.html

Editor's Note: This article is available free of charge for
online subscribers. To access the article you need only fill
out a short user form.

-----MORE ON MOLD: THE FUNDAMENTALS
Disorders related to indoor air quality have become a major concern
for primary care physicians (PCP), who often are asked to evaluate
patients whose symptoms may be caused or aggravated by indoor
exposure to mold. In this article, the authors review the common
types of indoor mold and discuss the management of mold exposure and
related illnesses. See Article:
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/06_03/fung.htm

-----BORED WITH YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE?
If you're bored with your exercise routine, try cross training,
advises experts at Washington University in St. Louis. Cross
training - engaging in two or more exercises - helps keep your
routine fresh and can energize your enthusiasm for exercise. Other
benefits include:
     -- It burns more calories.
     -- You target additional muscle groups.
     -- It reduces the risk of injury.
     -- It offers greater mental stimulation.
     -- There's no need to make major changes to your routine. You
        can continue to do your exercise of choice, but add one or two
        days a week of another exercise. (HealthDayNews)

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 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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-----GENERAL MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Along with stopping smoking, exercise and good nutrition, knowing
about our medications and taking them as prescribed is beneficial to
maintaining optimum health. See More:
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/medguidelines.htm

-----TAKING MULTIPLE ASTHMA MEDICATIONS
The right order can improve results. There are some general rule of
thumb guidelines you can use. But it is always best to check with
your doctor. See Tips:
http://asthma.about.com/cs/medication/a/aa070403a.htm

-----TIPS ON CREATING LIST OF MEDICATIONS
Keeping a current and accurate list of your medications and other
pertinent information is important for many reasons
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Medworksheet-info.htm

-----MEDICATION LIST WORKSHEET (PRINTABLE FORM)
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/medication_list.htm
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      > > > > > > > > >    NUTRITION/WELLNESS    < < < < < < < < <
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-----SIX SERIOUS MEDICAL SYMPTOMS
Some medical symptoms are warnings that you need immediate care.
Learn to recognize these six. See List:
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/66/79903.htm?pagenumber=1

-----COPD: WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
http://www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2400/2405.asp?index=8704

-----TEST YOUR SLEEP I.Q.
What do you know about sleep? Questions cover topics on snoring,
narcolepsy, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and other issues. Quiz:
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/sleep_scripts/tfsleepquiz.pl

-----WHY DON'T WE LIKE VEGGIES?
While some of us truthfully think there's nothing as tasty as biting
into our favorite vegetable, most Americans don't show anywhere near
the passion for vegetables that they do for other foods - and they
may have good reason, say researchers. See Story:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/919687.asp

-----RACE ON FOR PILL TO SAVE MEMORY
They are called smart pills or brain boosters or, to use the
preferred pharmaceutical term, cognitive enhancers. But whatever the
name given to compounds created to prevent or treat memory loss,
drug companies and supplement producers are scrambling to exploit
what they view as an enormous medical and economic opportunity. See
Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/29/health/29MEMO.html?8hpib

Editor's Note: This article is available free of charge for
online subscribers. To access the article you need only fill
out a short user form.

-----SPINACH PACKS A PUNCH
According to Johns Hopkins Hospital, the health benefits of the
green leafy vegetable spinach make it a powerhouse food choice.
Spinach is low in calories and is loaded with vitamins, especially
Vitamin B, iron, and folate, as well as the photochemical lutein and
zeaxanthin. See Report:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=513968

-----ADD A PINCH OF GRAINS, NUTS, BARLEY
Adding fiber-rich plants such as oats, barley and nuts to a standard
low-fat diet can reduce cholesterol levels by nearly 30 percent,
just about as much as a statin drug, Canadian researchers report.
See Tips:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=1&page=newsdetail&id=514240
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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 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. - Host Tony Hamel
   http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/chat.htm

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

-- Caregivers - Sundays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
   Host Kitty (Note: Only caregivers in these chats please.)
   http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm

-- Quit Smoking Now (QSN) - Mondays at 9 p.m.
   http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/chat.htm
   For more information on the interactive program, contact
   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
To view the Library section, including the works of the late Bill
Horden, please go to http://www.copd-international.com/Library/

-----VOLUNTEERS
This site is supported and maintained by COPDers. 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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-----SCARY MOVIE TRIVIA
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/movies/scarymovie.jsp
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> > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < <
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-----CORN CHOWDER

Ingredients
     ½ pound bacon, diced
     1 medium onion, chopped
     ¼ cup celery, chopped
     2 tablespoons flour
     2 cups fresh corn kernels, removed from the cob
     2 cups diced potatoes, cooked
     2 cups milk
     salt and pepper to taste
     ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
     Paprika

Directions
     Sauté the bacon, onion and celery until tender. Remove from heat and
     drain off all but two tablespoons of bacon grease. Stir in the
     flour. In a large saucepan, heat the corn, potatoes and milk. Add
     the sautéed bacon mix, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling, stirring
     constantly. Serve hot. Sprinkle each serving with chopped parsley,
     paprika or both. Makes 6 servings. (Recipe from the Do It Yourself
     Web site.)
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        > > > > > > > > > >    CLOSING THOUGHT    < < < < < < < < <
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You don't have to just mindlessly go along with the life chain you
have inherited and passively contributed to. You can begin to shape
its links, actively and consciously. -- Dr. Phil McGraw

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