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, November 3, 2003
Volume #2 -- Issue #44
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 - World COPD Day
==> Nutrition/Wellness
==> Community Updates
==> 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
World COPD Day 2003 will be held November 19. This is a world-
wide observance and activities will center on bringing attention to
COPD. Under Featured Articles is information on COPD Day.
Reminder: In our Library, we now have a comprehensive listing by
states of clinical trials along with general information. The new
links are listed under Link Directory.
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. Also, periodically we will
feature stories and information from guest writers. 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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IMPACT OF COPD MAY BE UNDERESTIMATED
New research suggests that mortality statistics may severely
underestimate the importance of COPD. COPD is a major cause of
illness and death worldwide - the World Health Organization (WHO)
found it was the fourth leading cause of death in 2000. However, a
study from British scientists suggests that such mortality figures
may substantially underestimate the impact of this disease. See
More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3699738
RED WINE INGREDIENT MAY FIGHT COPD
The same ingredient in red wine that makes it healthy for your heart
may also be good for your lungs. A new study shows resveratrol, a
compound found in the skins of red fruits such as grapes, may slow
down the inflammatory process involved in COPD.
See More:
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/76/89950.htm
LEVAQUIN RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL FOR PNEUMONIA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new
five-day dosage form of Levaquin (levofloxacin) Tablets/Injection
and Levaquin (levofloxacin in 5% dextrose) Injection 750mg
once-daily regimen to treat mild-to-severe community acquired
pneumonia (CAP). With this approval, Levaquin becomes the only
short-course fluoroquinolone indicated to treat CAP in a five-day
regimen. Levaquin is dosed once daily and indicated for a wide
variety of infections including CAP, nosocomial pneumonia, mild to
moderate cases of complicated urinary tract infections, acute
pyelonephritis, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, acute
maxillary sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic
bronchitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis.
(Johnson & Johnson
Press Release)
RESEARCHERS FIND POSSIBLE NEW ANTIBIOTIC
U.S. researchers said they had developed a new class of antibiotic
that could potentially be developed into a new drug to fight
increasingly drug-resistant bacteria. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3679028
INHALED STEROIDS UNLIKELY TO AFFECT BONE DENSITY
Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids by patients with asthma or
COPD does not appear to lead to a significant decrease in bone
mineral density (BMD), according to a report released recently. See
Report:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3699051
EXERCISE STUDY: BENEFITS OF SUPPLMENTAL OXYGEN
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
reports that supplemental oxygen provided during high-intensity
training yields higher training intensity and evidence of gains in
exercise tolerance in laboratory testing of COPD patients. See
Abstract:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/168/9/1034
REVISING DONOR CRITERIA CAN INCREASE SUPPLY
Adoption of more liberal criteria to evaluate potential lung donors
can significantly increase the availability of organs and ultimately
decrease the death rate in recipients on the waiting list for lung
transplantation, without compromising clinical outcome. That's
according to a report recently released during CHEST 2003, the 69th
annual international scientific assembly of the American College of
Chest Physicians. Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews
&storyID=3707546
2 DRUGS FOUND TO PREVENT CLOTS IN LUNGS, LEGS
Two drugs provide a safer means of preventing potentially deadly
blood clots than the standard treatment, researchers reported
recently. Three industry-financed studies involving the drugs
fondaparinux and ximelagatran found both to be at least as good and
safer than the established treatment with conventional clot-busters
like warfarin and heparin. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3717703
CHINA SAYS SARS WON'T BE AS SEVERE IF IT RETURNS
China said it is prepared to prevent any new outbreak of SARS from
reaching the scale of the epidemic that killed more than 300 and
infected more than 5,300 people in the country this year. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3736424
U.S. CDC POSTS PLAN FOR SARS THREAT
According to a recent Washington Post story, the U.S. Centers
for Disease and Prevention (CDC) has posted on its Web site a
comprehensive plan for dealing with threat of SARS. The article
reports that the plan includes a suggestion that patients entering
hospitals, clinics or doctor's offices with a cough or respiratory
illness be given a mask and isolated until they are diagnosed. In
addition to the proposal regarding masks, the draft also contains
a variety of recommendations, including one proposal "that calls
for establishing separate hospitals for treating and segregating
large numbers of patients, in much the same way that special TB
sanitariums and smallpox hospitals existed early in the 20th
century." The article says that the CDC will gather comments for the
next several weeks before finalizing the plan.
SMOKING SHORTENS LIFESPAN BY 13.2 TO 14.5 YEARS
According to "New Hope: Avoiding Lung Cancer," published November 1
to launch the national November observance of Lung Cancer Awareness
Month, smoking shortens the lives of American females by 14.5 years
and males by 13.2 years. See Story
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/phm009_1.html
NEW DRUG COULD HELP SMOKERS KICK HABIT
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers are studying Verencline,
a new drug that may reduce withdrawal symptoms experienced when
someone quits smoking. Unlike other stop-smoking products on the
market, Verencline is not an antidepressant, nor does it contain
nicotine. See More:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031014/
lo_WCVB/1830637
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 current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls,
go to http://www.safetyalerts.com/
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> > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < <
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WORLD COPD DAY NOVEMBER 19
World COPD Day 2003, organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic
Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), will be held November 19, 2003.
The event represents a partnership between healthcare groups and
respiratory educators to raise COPD awareness, and builds on the
success of the first-ever World COPD Day held November 20, 2002.
"Could it be COPD?" is the slogan for World COPD Day 2003. This
year's event will be part of a campaign focused around two closely
linked documents, one for the general public and one for healthcare
providers. These documents are now available online and can be
downloaded.
Visit the World COPD Day Headquarters for more information at
http://www.goldcopd.com
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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STUDY: FORGIVE FOR GOOD HEALTH
They say to forgive is divine. It may be good for your health, too,
researchers report. The results of a new study suggest that people
with forgiving natures may have lower blood pressure than less
forgiving folks. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3717554
NEGATIVE EMOTIONS MAY MEAN HEART TROUBLE
Adding to evidence that depression, anxiety and hostility can be
hard on the heart, new research links negative emotions to a higher
risk of coronary heart disease in men. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3687538
PATIENTS BECOMING SAVVY CONSUMERS
Patients are demanding a greater say in their treatment, but how
should the pharmaceutical industry respond to these newly-empowered
consumers of their products?
http://www.pharmafocus.com/pharmafocus/Features/feature.asp?fID=384&m=10
WHAT IS DERMATITIS?
The simple definition of dermatitis is inflammation of the skin.
Many people think of dermatitis as synonymous with eczema, but this
is actually not true. Almost any rash can be thought of as a
dermatitis based on this definition - including psoriasis, skin
cancer and seborrhea. See More:
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/eczemadermatitis/a/dermatitis.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. For new subscribers, archives of back
issues of the newsletter can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/newsletters/archives.htm
REMINDER! PARTICIPATE IN U.S. COPD SURVEY
The largest national survey in the United States of COPD patients
is being conducted. As one of the collaborating organizations, we
at COPD-International.com want to thank you in advance for
participating. To participate in the survey online, please go to
http://www.copd-international.com/library/survey.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
-- NEW! General Information on Clinical Trials
http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/clinical_trials.htm
-- NEW! Continually Updated List of COPD Clinical Trials
http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/trials.htm
-- 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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SOME GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge; mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber not the
taste.
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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KICKY STEAK STRIPS WITH RICE
Sirloin strips are marinated in Worcestershire sauce and mustard,
fried with onions and garlic, and served over rice.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 pound top sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon pepper
Directions
1. In a medium container, mix Worcestershire sauce and mustard.
Place steak strips in the mixture. Cover, and marinate in the
refrigerator at least 30 minutes.
2. Place rice and water in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and cook 20 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the
onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Season with pepper. Place
steak into the saucepan and cook 5 to 7 minutes on each side, to
desired doneness. Serve over the cooked rice. Makes 2 servings.
(Allrecipes)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear,
but around in awareness.
-- James Thurber
--
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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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