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, September 8, 2003                      Volume #2 -- Issue #36
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 - Prescription Assistance
==> Nutrition/Wellness
==> Community Update
==> Link Directory
==> 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 who are on Medicare and/or have no prescription
coverage, paying for prescriptions can create financial hardship,
especially since many of us are on numerous maintenance drugs
to ease the symptoms of COPD.

However, there are options available to help reduce the cost of
medications. One is ordering from online discount pharmacies.
Another is prescription assistance. This issue features sources
for prescription assistance.

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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FDA PANEL NIXES COPD DRUG ARIFLO
GlaxoSmithKline's Ariflo needs long-term efficacy studies to
confirm the PDE-4 inhibitor's maintenance of effect in COPD,
a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel ruled.
See Ruling: http://tinyurl.com/mmgk

FLU SHOTS URGED IN LIGHT OF SARS CONCERNS
Although the global outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) has been contained throughout the summer, considerable
uncertainty surrounds the question of whether SARS might recur,
perhaps according to a seasonal pattern. In light of these
concerns, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges all those at
high risk for developing secondary complications get vaccinated
against influenza to ease the burden on healthcare systems if SARS
reappears. More: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/sars/en/

CANADA, U.S. TEAM UP TO ADVANCE RESEARCH
The leading federal health research agencies in Canada and the
United States - the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - are teaming up to
advance research of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. See
NIH Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2003/nhlbi-28.htm

BEING POSITIVE MAY BENEFIT HEALTH
Most people accept the idea that stress and depression chip away at
the body's natural ability to fight off disease. In recent years,
evidence has accumulated that psychology can indeed affect biology.
Studies have found, for example, that people who suffer from
depression are at higher risk for heart disease and other illnesses.
See Story: http://tinyurl.com/mmgv

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

ENZYME LINKED TO CANCER IN SMOKERS
Israeli researchers said they have identified a naturally produced
compound that may explain why only some smokers get lung cancer.
See Story: http://tinyurl.com/mmh3

PSYCHOTHERAPY BENEFICIAL COMBINED WITH REHAB
This study concludes that psychotherapy in a pulmonary
rehabilitation program for COPD reduced patients' anxiety and
depression levels, but did not modify the 6-minute walk distance
(6MWD) performance. http://tinyurl.com/mmh6

ACTIVITY MAY SLOW RATE OF LUNG DECLINE
Physical activity appears to reduce the age-related decline in lung
function and cut death rates in men, according to a new report by
Finnish and U.S. researchers.  See Story: http://tinyurl.com/mmh9

PRE-SURGERY EXERCISE SPEEDS RECOVERY
Getting in shape before an operation aids healing, study finds.
Story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/962331.asp?0dm=C13JH

COPD AND HEART HEALTH LINKED
Lungs that don't work well stress the heart. As a result, people
with COPD can develop heart failure. In COPD, airway obstruction
and damage to the lung's air sacs lower oxygen levels. The lung's
blood vessels react by getting smaller, making it harder for the
right ventricle to pump blood into them.  http://tinyurl.com/mmhd

NEW HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEART FAILURE
The angiotensin-receptor blocker drug candesartan may reduce
illness and death for people with chronic heart failure. The
news comes from four studies published recently in The Lancet.
See More: http://tinyurl.com/mmhf

A CLOSER LOOK AT CHRONIC ASTHMA
Not always recognized as such, asthma falls into a category of
diseases known as COPD. COPD also includes diseases such as
chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and bronchiectasis.
While the most noted feature of asthma is its reversibility, there
is a chronic component that has recently gained in notoriety.
Story: http://asthma.about.com/library/weekly/aa112999a.htm

ERS RULES EASED ON PATIENT CARE
The United States is relaxing rules that say hospitals have to
examine and treat people who require emergency medical care,
regardless of their ability to pay. Under the new rule, which takes
effect on Nov. 10, patients might find it more difficult to obtain
certain types of emergency care at some hospitals or clinics that
hospitals own and operate.  See Story: http://tinyurl.com/mmhi

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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GUIDE TO PAYING LESS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

-- Generics
A brand-name drug used to treat heartburn can cost over $100 for
a 2-month supply, while its generic equivalent is only $11. With
drug prices expected to continue to increase, and prescription
drug coverage for seniors still uncertain, selecting generic
products can help you save big bucks. Find out if your brand name
prescription drugs are available in generic form and check with
your doctor whether there is any reason not to switch.

-- Prescription Assistance
In the United States, every state has prescription assistance
programs for those without prescription insurance and for those
who do not qualify for Medicaid. If you are in need of assistance,
first check with your state insurance commission and then community
agencies to see what assistance is available in your area.

In some states, there are other "special" qualifying factors even
if you do exceed the income restrictions, such as a pay-down clause.
This is calculated by subtracting your drug costs from your income.
There are other state and local programs that will grant assistance
if you have a yearly drug cost of more than 40 percent of your
income.

Since state and local drug assistance programs have various
exceptions to their standard guidelines, it is important to ask
about any special exceptions - besides income - that may qualify
you for assistance.

The links below lead to sources for information on drug assistance.

-- Medicare: http://www.medicare.gov
-- Helping Patients: http://www.helpingpatients.org/
-- Benefits Checkup: http://www.benefitscheckuprx.org/
-- Needy Meds: http://www.needymeds.com/

These are programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry.

-- http://www.together-Rx.com
-- http://www.pfizerforliving.com

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         > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < <
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TEN POWER FOODS
Don't be fooled by their mild-mannered appearance. These 10
tasty choices are secret sources of health and energy.
See List: http://tinyurl.com/mmhy

PROBIOTICS: THE GOOD BACTERIA
Probiotics, or "good" bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented
milk products, can prevent or relieve ulcers and digestive problems
and even boost your immune system, research has found.
See More: http://tinyurl.com/mmhz

GET MEAN AND LEAN WITH RESISTANCE BANDS
Exercise resistance bands are being used more often for strength
training now, and for good reason. They are very portable, small,
easy to put away, inexpensive, effective and as powerful as weights
for exercising. See More:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/a/resistance.htm
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      > > > > > > > > > > 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.

LOVING THOUGHTS
To express your loving thoughts, get-well wishes and prayers for
our fellow community members, who are very ill or hospitalized,
please go to http://www.copd-international.com/Loving_Thoughts/

-- Good news! John Peterson of Cape Cod is now home
following a double-lung transplant and is doing very well.

DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily. We invite everyone
to stop in and visit. See Chat Schedule:
http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.htm

Also, the special weekly on-topic chats are listed below.

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 Deb
   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.
   Host Don from NM - Don is a smoking cessation counselor.
   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

We look forward to seeing you!
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      > > > > > > > > > > > > LINK DIRECTORY < < < < < < < < < < <
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SPECIAL-INTEREST PROGRAMS

-- Quit Smoking Support:
   http://www.COPD-International.com/quit_smoking/

-- Exercise Forum:
   http://www.COPD-International.com/exercise/

-- Caregivers Support:
   http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/

-- COPD Library:
   http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/

-- Welcome Wagon:
   http://www.COPD-International.com/welcome/

-- To Volunteer:
   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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THE SATS: VERBAL

Every year, college-bound students must endure the SATs.
Below is a link to a sampler of SAT questions, so you can get
a taste of SATs. Good Luck!
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/quiz/Quiz.aspx?QuizID=24
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              > > > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < < <
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CHICKEN CASHEW SALAD
This is a great summer pasta salad for barbecues and more. It has
a slightly sweet, creamy dressing, and is loaded with chicken,
cashews and crunchy veggies.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready in: 25 Minutes

Ingredients
      1-1/3 cups seashell pasta
      2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons brown sugar
      2/3 cup creamy salad dressing (e.g. Miracle Whip)
      1-1/4 teaspoons lemon juice
      2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
      2/3 pinch salt
      1-1/3 cups chopped celery
      1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
      2/3 onion, chopped
      2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into
         bite-sized pieces
      2/3 cup cashew halves

Directions

      1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta
          and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse
          with cold water.

      2. In large bowl, combine brown sugar, salad dressing, lemon juice,
          vinegar and salt. Toss dressing mixture with cooked pasta, celery,
         green pepper, onion and chicken. Chill until ready to serve. Mix in
         cashews just before serving. Makes 4 servings.

(Allrecipes)
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            > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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             "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves
                           strong. The amount of work is the same."

                                       -- Carlos Castaneda --
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Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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All Disclaimers Apply: The information and guidance provided in this
newsletter should never be interpreted as a diagnosis, treatment
plan or any other form of professional service.

All information provided should be judged as individual "opinions"
and discussed with a qualified health-care professional before any
remedy, treatment or therapy is started.