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 10, 2003                          Volume #2 -- Issue #45
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 - Family Caregiver Month
==> 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
Hats off to our caregivers! Many of us with COPD depend on
trusted caregivers to help us take care of our daily needs. Whether
it is a family member or friend, the caregivers in our lives are
truly a godsend, especially for those of us who are in the severe
stages of our illness.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
an estimated one in three Americans, or about 52 million people,
care each year for at least one ill or disabled family member or
friend.

November is National Family Caregivers Month and this issue provides
information for caregivers and links to sources for additional
support.

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 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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COPD RATES UP AMONG U.S. WOMEN
Women are catching up with men in a previously male-dominated
domain: the development of COPD. This COPD epidemic in large
part is due to the huge increase in women smoking in the last 60
years.

In this article, active treatment is called for. "Often the approach
to COPD is that there is nothing you can do. It's relentlessly
progressive. It's a death sentence. That's not true," according to
a Portland, Ore., doctor.

"Treatment options include the use of bronchodilators, inhaled
steroids, oral steroids and antibiotics. A flu shot can also be
incredibly important," said Dr. A. Sonia Buist. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3772041


SARS: HOSPITALS URGED TO MONITOR EMPLOYEES
Health care workers with pneumonia may be the sentinels for a new
outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Faced with
the dilemma of identifying the first suspected cases of SARS amid a
backdrop of widespread, seasonal respiratory illness, public health
authorities are urging hospitals to monitor their employees' health.
More: http://www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/archive/2003/heh112003.html

SARS: WHO SAYS VACCINE WILL TAKE 2 YEARS
Despite considerable progress in research, a vaccine against the
deadly SARS virus will take at least two years to produce, according
to the World Health Organization (WHO). A WHO spokesman said,
"We must be ready to manage a possible resurgence of SARS through
the control measures that work - surveillance, early diagnosis,
hospital infection control, contact tracing and international
reporting."

The global outbreak was declared over in July, but scientists fear
that there could be another outbreak of the disease over the next
few months. WHO said that if SARS reappears, a vaccine could be
produced within two years. If there is no new outbreak, it likely
will take four or five years.
(World Health Organization)

REMINDER: METERED-DOSE INHALERS CHANGING
Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are devices that people with asthma and
COPD use to deliver medicine to their lungs. The medication is
delivered by a propellant in the MDI whenever it is used. For most
MDIs, the propellant is one or more gases called chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). Over the next few years, MDIs that contain CFCs are
expected to be replaced by new inhaler devices that do not contain
CFCs (non-CFC inhalers). This change has just begun and will
continue for several years as more non-CFC options become available.
See Facts: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/mdi.htm

NEW REPORT: INHALED STEROIDS EASE COPD SYMPTOMS
While inhaled steroids undoubtedly help patients with asthma,
doctors have seesawed on whether these drugs are useful for in the
treatment of COPD. Now, a new report suggests that such treatment -
particularly at high doses - does, in fact, help patients breath
better. See Report:  http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=health
News&storyID=3746090

DOMESTIC CLEANING INCREASES ASTHMA RISK
Working as a domestic cleaner puts you at a significantly higher
risk of developing asthma, a Spanish research team reported. Asthma
has been linked to cleaning work, but this study was the first to
distinguish between cleaning in different environments. "The new
message is that people who clean private homes are most at risk,"
said researchers. See Report: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=
healthNews&storyID=3699727

TIPS ON FINDING HEALTH INFORMATION ONLINE
The Internet can be a mixed blessing when it comes to health care.
We now have more health information at our fingertips than anyone
dreamed possible just a few short years ago. But how much of it can
we trust? How can we tell the difference between good and bad health
information, especially when there's so much of it? See Tips:
http://www.aarp.org/health/Articles/a2003-03-17-wwwhealth.html

SLEEP APNEA STUDIED IN REGARDS TO GENDER
The question of why men develop obstructive sleep apnea more
frequently than women has scientists scratching their
polysomnography equipment. Researchers now realize the canyon
between the sexes no longer spans miles wide, as bigger and better
studies have lowered this rate significantly. See More:
http://www.advanceforpa.com/common/Editorial/Editorial.aspx?CC=24096

COPDERS NOT FULLY INFORMED ABOUT END-OF-LIFE CARE
Eight out of ten patients with moderate to severe COPD say their
physicians have not discussed end-of-life options with them and they
have never been asked about their preferences concerning use of
mechanical ventilation, according to study results presented at the
recent CHEST, 2003, the Annual Scientific Assembly of the American
College of Chest Physicians. See More:
http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256DC
F00671F2E?OpenDocument&c=COPD&count=10

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.

TIPS ON EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS
A trip to the hospital emergency room can entail hours of waiting
around, especially if your complaint is not life threatening. If you
need ER care, the Association of Maryland Hospitals and Health
Systems offers these tips:

-- If your condition worsens while you are waiting to be seen, have
someone alert the triage nurse.

-- If you can, bring your medications with you
.
-- If your complaint is not critical, call another nearby urgent
care center to see if it is less crowded.

-- Have your medical and insurance information up-to-date and on
hand, if possible.

(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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RECALLS
To view current U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls, go to
http://www.safetyalerts.com/
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   > > > > > > > > >      FEATURED ARTICLES     < < < < < < < < <
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NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH
A service of the U.S. Administration on Aging has a nationwide
toll-free service that helps people find local resources and
community assistance for seniors. Call 1-800-677-1116 for
information and referrals. Also, the Elder Care Locater at
http://www.eldercare.gov/ can help you find assistance in your area.

For information and resources for caregivers, visit these sites:
     
       Family Caregiver Alliance: www.caregiver.org 
     
      National Alliance for Caregiving: www.caregiving.org

      U.S. Administration on Aging: www.aoa.gov

CAREGIVER INFORMATION IN OUR LIBRARY
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/contents.htm
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   > > > > > > > > >      NUTRITION/WELLNESS      < < < < < < < < <
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RESTFUL NIGHT'S SLEEP MAY BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM
Conventional wisdom says getting enough sleep is key to staying
healthy, and now there's new scientific evidence to back it up.
Researchers in Germany found that among a group of volunteers
vaccinated against hepatitis A infection, those who got a good
night's sleep afterward showed a stronger immune response to the
vaccine. This indicates a well-rested person's immune system may
launch a stronger response to an invading virus than that of a
sleep-deprived individual, according to the study's lead author. See
More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3707346

TIPS TO TAME YOUR APPETITE

If you're an overeater, try getting your appetite under control
with these tips from Harvard Medical International:

-- Slow down, and chew with purpose. Take at least 20 minutes
to eat a meal. Taking longer will make you feel as if you're eating
more.

-- Eat only while sitting down. This will help you think about how
much you're consuming.

-- Eat off smaller plates. And drink a 12-ounce glass of water
before eating.

-- Wait 10 minutes after you get the urge to snack. Between-meal
snacks are usually impulsive acts. By waiting, you may realize you
aren't hungry.

-- Keep the healthier foods, such as fruit and vegetables, in the
front of your refrigerator shelves.

(HealthDayNews)
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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

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/

 With sadness, Bill Lyons passed at 3:33 last thursday. To post
loving thoughts and prayers for Bill and his wife, Linda, please go
to the link above.

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

-- General Information on Clinical Trials
   http://www.COPD-International.com/Library/clinical_trials.htm

-- 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 Advocate Bill Horden Library
   http://www.copd-international.com/COPDAdvocate/

-- 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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IT TAKES ALL KINDS!
The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a
Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun and
demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't
open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered
onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast.
The man, frustrated, walked away.
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          > > > > > > > > > >      RECIPE      < < < < < < < < < <
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BAKED HONEY NUT CHICKEN
A savory, buttery, nutty, baked chicken dish with a little sweetness
of honey. Substitute any nut you prefer with equally good results.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Ready in: 55 Minutes

Ingredients

1-1/3 eggs
1/3 cup honey
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
2/3 cup dry bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
4 bone-in chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

2. In a bowl, beat eggs and honey together until thoroughly blended.
In a separate bowl, toss together pecans, bread crumbs, salt and
pepper.

3. Dip chicken pieces in egg and honey mixture, then dredge in pecan
mixture, coating thoroughly. Arrange chicken side by side in a 9x13
inch baking dish. Drizzle melted butter evenly over chicken.

4. Bake approximately 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer
pink, and juices run clear. Serves 4

(Allrecipes)
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      > > > > > > > > >      CLOSING THOUGHT      < < < < < < < < <
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         Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony.
                    In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

                                        -- Albert Einstein --

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Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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