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, October 6, 2003
Volume #2 -- Issue #40
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2003 COPD-International.com All rights reserved.
FREE BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY! Subscription information is at
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 - Asthma Conference 2003 Highlights
==> 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
The nation's leading asthma clinicians, researchers and public
health experts presented the latest scientific advances in asthma
prevention and control at the National Asthma Conference 2003
held in June.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently
completed archiving Webcasts of several key sessions on the
conference Web site. Printed transcripts of selected topics also
have been archived.
Accessing this information is tedious at best because two computer
programs are needed to access the information. I have included
the links for the two free programs under Featured Articles, along
with links to the conference Web site.
According to the NHLBI, no other press releases are available
at this time, only the recently archived information and Webcasts
on the conference site.
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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FLU VIRUS MAY BE MORE POTENT THIS YEAR
According to a recent USA Today report, public health officials
and experts are urging people to get flu shots out of concern that
this year's influenza virus could be a particularly potent one. The
article says that because the flu vaccine will be in abundance this
year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
is suspending its usual recommendation that doctors vaccinate people
in high-risk groups before giving the vaccine to others. The article
provides general information about influenza including that it
"kills an average of 36,000 in the United States each year, new
research shows, nearly twice the previous estimate. About 20 percent
of the population will become infected, and 114,000 people will be
hospitalized."
PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA NOT GETTING FLU SHOTS
The New York Times reported recently on a new study, based on data
from federal health surveys between 1991 and 2001 and published in
the journal Chest, which found that only about a third of people
with asthma receive annual flu shots, despite government
recommendations. According to the article, the study found that for
people ages 18 to 49, only about one in five get vaccinated for flu,
and for people ages 50 to 64, nearly half.
The study found that higher flu vaccination rates were associated
not just with being older, but also with level of education. Citing
the study, the article says that people avoid flu shots for a
variety of reasons: some feel they are not at risk, others worry
about adverse effects and still others may shy away from the cost.
Although Medicare covers flu shots for people 65 and older and the
disabled, young people tend to only be covered through insurance
plans.
CLICK TO FIND A FLU SHOT NEAR YOU!
The American Lung Association (ALA) offers the service below
for those in need of finding a location where they can get a flu
shot. At the bottom of the page is also extensive information on
influenza. http://www.findaflushot.com/lungusa/
RESEARCHERS STEP CLOSER TO SARS VACCINE
Canadian researchers have come a step closer to finding a vaccine
to fight deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research said. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=
3543370
COLUMN: ON GUARD AGAINST SARS
In their vigil for a possible return of severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS), health officials have focused mainly on finding
where the virus hides in nature. But the case of in a 27-year-old
doctoral student in Singapore has shown an equally important risk -
escape of the virus from a laboratory. See Column:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/health/policy/30DOCS.html?8br
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.
INHALED STEROIDS KEY TO ASTHMA CONTROL
Inhaled steroids have become the cornerstone of successful long-term
control of asthma symptoms. Still, fear, ignorance and noncompliance
keep many people from experiencing the benefits from this proven
group of medications. See More:
http://asthma.about.com/library/weekly/aa
090302a.htm
STUDY: SMOKING THREAT TO ASTHMA DRUGS
People with asthma who smoke are likely to be jeopardizing the
effectiveness of their medication, concludes new research. The
study, funded by the National Asthma Campaign, looked at how people
with asthma reacted when they took a course of oral steroids, which
is the most common treatment for keeping asthma symptoms under
control. See More: http://www.asthma.org.uk/news/news94.php
RESULTS OF NEW INHALED DRUG RELEASED
Arriva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced the results of an animal
model study showing the effects of an inhaled protease inhibitor,
Ilomastat, on the development of emphysema due to cigarette smoking.
The work was presented recently at the 13th Congress of the European
Respiratory Society in Vienna, Austria. The study showed that lung
degeneration caused by cigarette smoke could be reduced by up to 96
percent using this strategy. Since this model is widely recognized
by specialists as reproducing most characteristics of the disease as
it occurs in humans, the study gives rise to very real hopes for the
clinical treatment of this widespread disease. See Story:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030929/sfm087_1.html
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES OVER DRUG IMPORTS
Recent inspections turned up hundreds of potentially dangerous
prescription drug imports as Americans sought cheaper medicines
from abroad, U.S. health officials said. But, lawmakers who are
working to create a legal system for importing drugs from Canada
and other countries have accused the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) of exaggerating the safety risk. Some suggest the agency is
pushing the agenda of the drug industry, which is vigorously
fighting drug importation. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=
3527671
ADDICTION: BRAIN AILMENT, NOT A MORAL LAPSE
Most people, including most physicians, understand little about what
draws people to drugs and keeps them hooked, often despite severe
consequences and repeated attempts to quit. A better understanding
of the pull and tug of addiction can help those who are hooked and
those who want to stop for good. See Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/health/30BROD.html
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.
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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RECALLS
To view U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls go to
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Recalls.htm
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> > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < <
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ASTHMA CONFERENCE 2003 HIGHLIGHTS
Sponsored by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
(NAEPP), the National Asthma Conference held in June was a three-
day conference, featuring asthma experts who presented new research
and insights.
Main Conference Site:
http://www.Asthma2003.net/
Archived Webcasts:
http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp?c=1&s=11
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
a yellow link tab in the top right-hand corner to download the
FREE version
Print Version of Presentations:
http://www.asthma2003.net/presentations.asp
Editor's Note: These presentations are in Acrobat Reader format
(.pdf). To download the FREE version, go to
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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YES, ASPIRIN DOES PREVENT HEART ATTACKS
The "current totality of evidence" strongly supports the notion that
taking aspirin regularly can prevent a first heart attack. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3534157
GOT AN AILMENT? TRY THE "SYMPTOM CHECKER"
Need information as you determine what to do about your symptoms?
Get help figuring them out by answering a series of questions.
Checker: http://content.health.msn.com/content/pages/13/79972
BEWARE OF HERBAL WEIGHT-LOSS PRODUCTS
Taking herbal supplements for weight loss has become a popular
trend, but a new study shows not all products are safe. See Story:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?ap=1&page=newsdetail&id=8007018
MORE GOOD NEWS BREWING OVER TEA
New research provides evidence that tea may have a protective
effect against heart disease and cancer caused by smoking. Consuming
30-32 ounces of tea daily over a period of time - the fluid
equivalent of 2.5 cans of soda - may reduce "bad" cholesterol levels
by more than 10 percent and decrease the risk of DNA damage caused
by smoking, according to new research. See Press Release:
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/September2003/30/c6033.html
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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. For new subscribers, archives of back
issues of the newsletter can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/newsletters/archives.htm
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)
-- 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:
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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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A company, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hires a new CEO.
This new boss is determined to rid the company of all slackers.
On a tour of the facilities, the CEO notices a guy leaning on a
wall. The room is full of workers and he wants to let them know he
means business!
The CEO walks up to the guy and asks, "And how much money do you
make a week?" Undaunted, the young fellow looks at him and replies,
"I make $300 a week. Why?"
The CEO then hands the guy $300 in cash and screams, "Here's a
week's pay, now GET OUT and don't come back!"
Feeling pretty good about his first firing, the CEO looks around the
room and asks, "Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-off did
here?"
With a sheepish grin, one of the other workers mutters, "Pizza
delivery guy from Domino's."
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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TOMATO CHICKEN PARMESAN
A delicious Italian breaded chicken smothered with cheese and
tomato-based pasta sauce.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready in: 45 Minutes
Ingredients
1-1/3 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 ounces seasoned bread crumbs
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 pound pasta sauce
4 slices Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Pour beaten eggs into a shallow dish or bowl. In another
shallow dish or bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan cheese
and bread crumbs. Dip chicken breasts into beaten egg, then into
bread crumb mixture to coat.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add
coated chicken and sauté for about 8 to 10 minutes each side, or
until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
4. Pour tomato sauce into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking
dish. Add chicken, then place a slice of Monterey Jack cheese
over each breast, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes
or until cheese is completely melted. Makes 4 servings.
Note: You can use chicken tenders instead of chicken breast, which
will make this dish cook faster and easier to prepare.
(Allrecipes)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift;
that's why they call it the present.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt --
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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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