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 24, 2003
Volume #2 -- Issue #47
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 - Devices for Inhaled Medications
==> 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
Many of us with COPD need a combination of medicines to manage
our disease. Our medications have many forms of delivery, from
swallowing a simple pill to inhaling vaporized drugs via a
nebulizer.
Having a better understanding of how your medicines work will help
you better manage your disease. This newsletter features links to
information on inhaled medications, a delivery system that increases
the medication's effectiveness by reaching the small airways of our
lungs.
While researching information on this subject, I found many good
sources on inhaled medications. If you have any questions at all
about the medications you are using, there is an abundance of
information on the Internet. And, if in doubt about anything you may
read, always check with your doctor to make sure you are taking your
medicines correctly.
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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MEDICARE BILL: SENATE VOTE EXPECTED TODAY
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill to
overhaul Medicare early Saturday, Nov. 22. Following the
House vote, the U.S. Senate launched its debate on the legislation
that would add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and introduce
free market-style changes. Republican Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist said he would schedule a vote for today amid heated
debates among Republicans and Democrats.
Below is a link to the main elements of the new Congressional
agreement on the bill that would provide a prescription drug benefit
to older and disabled Americans, the broadest expansion of the
program since it was created in 1965. See Proposed Benefits:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/17/politics/18MEDI-SIDE.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.
ASTHMATIC WOMEN LIKELY TO NEED ICU ADMISSION
Women are more likely than men to develop a serious and prolonged
asthma episode that requires critical care, new research suggests.
However, once admitted, men are more likely to need extreme
therapies, such as intubation. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3873223
ADVAIR WINS U.S. NOD FOR COPD
Europe's biggest drug maker, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, said U.S.
regulators have approved its Advair drug for treating patients
with severe cases of COPD. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3844814
STUDY: MENTAL DISORDERS HIGHER IN ASMATICS
The results of a study published in the November issue of the
Archives of General Psychiatry suggest there is an association
between asthma and a range of mental disorders. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3864398
U.S. CDC WARNS OF EARLY FLU OUTBREAK
Warning that an earlier-than-usual influenza outbreak could fore-
shadow a severe flu season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) has urged Americans to get a vaccine to
guard against infection. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3839412
PROVIDING CARE WHEN A CURE IS OUT OF REACH
Dr. Diane E. Meier, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai Medical Center in
New York, directs, the Lilian and Benjamin Hertzberg Palliative Care
Institute, which is not a hospice, though it shares the same
philosophy of care. Unlike hospice, it is not limited to patients
who are expected to die within six months. "Palliative care applies
to any patient at any age, regardless of whether they are expected
to die or recover," Dr. Meier said.
Millions of Americans, she added, are now living with multiple
chronic illnesses for years before they die: "dementia, heart
disease, chronic lung disease, cancer, frailty, and it is not
possible to say they'll be dead in six months." More on Palliative
Care: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/18/health/policy/18CARE.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.
STUDY: FISH OILS REDUCE ATHLETES LUNG PROBLEMS
Athletes who experience shortness of breath and other asthma-like
symptoms after exercise may benefit from fish oil capsules,
researchers report. Experts say substances called omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are found in fish oils can
produce anti-inflammatory effects. So far, the evidence on the
effect of PUFAs in people with asthma is mixed and the one study
that looked at the effect of fish oil supplements on asthma did not
show any benefits. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3856238
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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DEVICES FOR INHALED MEDICATIONS
Inhaled medicines, or medicines that you breathe directly into the
lungs, are an important part of asthma/COPD treatment. When
inhaled, the medicine quickly reaches the airways and less is
absorbed into the bloodstream. There are a number of devices that
deliver medicine directly to the airways. Metered-dose inhalers
(MDIs) that use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the propellant have
been most commonly used. New devices that don't contain CFCs have
been developed and are currently available with different medicines.
Inhaled devices include:
-- Dry Powder Inhaler
-- Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)
-- Nebulizer
See Information:
http://asthma.nationaljewish.org/treatments/devices/
CLEANING INHALED DEVICES
It is important to routinely clean your inhaled devices to keep them
working properly. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer
for each device.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects with inhaled steroids are thrush
(a yeast infection of the mouth or throat that causes a white
discoloration of the tongue), cough or hoarseness. Rinsing your
mouth (and spitting out the water) after inhaling the medicine and
using a spacer with an inhaled metered-dose inhaler reduces the
risk of thrush.
When a dose is prescribed that is normal or higher than the normal
dose in the package insert, some systemic side effects may occur.
Keep in mind, however, that an inhaled steroid has much less
potential for side effects than steroid pills or syrups.
(National Jewish Medical and Research Center)
STUDY URGES DOSE COUNTERS ON ALL MDI DEVICES
The majority of adult asthmatics do not keep track of their metered-
dose inhaler (MDI) doses, results of a telephone survey indicate,
adding support to recent calls for manufacturers to put counters on
MDIs, similar to those on dry-powdered inhalers. See More:
http://www.az-air.com/news/news_read.asp?id=2542&cat=1
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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FIVE WAYS TO BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES
Movie holidays: Sparkling snowflakes, happy families sharing a home-
cooked meal, peace on Earth and good will toward men.
Your holidays: Freezing rain, fighting relatives, dry turkey,
frenzied shopping, nostalgia, uncertainty, and all you want to do is
crawl under something and wait for it to be over.
That's right, you've got the holiday blues. If you're going to beat
them, you've got to get started early. Here are suggestions:
http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspx?articleid=463&trackingid=516311&bannerid
=542128
NEGATIVE EMOTIONS TIED TO DEATH RISK IN ELDERLY
Elderly adults who experience negative feelings that are mainly kept
"inside" may be at higher risk of dying, a new study suggests.
Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3846745
INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS KEEP MIND SHARP
Participating in intellectually challenging leisure-time activities
such as reading or taking evening courses appears to improve the
middle-aged mind, new research suggests. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3839624
EXERCISE: TIPS ON STAYING COMMITTED
It isn't easy staying motivated to exercise, especially if you're a
beginner. If you're trying lose weight and/or make exercise a habit,
you may be surprised to learn that there's not much difference
between you and people who exercise regularly. See Tips:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/commit.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
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/
-- Rob Pettit, one of our chatterers, has been admitted to the
hospital in Torrance, California.-- Tim Cochran, who recently received a double-lung transplant, was
re-admitted to the hospital and is doing better.-- Saundra Roberts is also still in ICU and can use all our best
thoughts
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
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http://www.COPD-International.com/quit_smoking/
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http://www.COPD-International.com/exercise/
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Don't forget to checkout all our support programs listed on our
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> > > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < <
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QUIZ: NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Celebrate Native American heritage while testing your knowledge
of the indigenous peoples of North America. How much do you
know about these famous Native Americans? See Quiz:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/quiz/Quiz.aspx?QuizID=27
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < < <
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TEXAS BARBECUE TURKEY SANDWICHES
This is a great, spicy recipe for leftover turkey.
Ingredients
2 cups COOKED turkey
3/4 cup tomato juice
1/4 cup catsup
2-2/3 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses
1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons paprika
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 dash hot pepper sauce
4 burger buns split horizontally and toasted
Directions:
-- Mince cooked turkey.
-- In 3-quart saucepan, over medium high heat, combine tomato juice,
catsup, vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, onions, sugar,
paprika, salt, dry mustard, chili powder, garlic, cayenne pepper and hot
pepper sauce; bring to boil. Immediately reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
-- Add turkey and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until heated
throughout.
-- To serve, spoon barbecue on bottom half of burger bun. Top with
other half. Servings 4.
(National Turkey Federation)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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May we give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
-- Ritual Chant --
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Thank You For Your Readership
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