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, December 29, 2003
Volume #2 -- Issue #52
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.
_______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > IN THIS ISSUE < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________
==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Guest Editorial
==> Featured Articles - Quit Smoking Now
==> Community Update - New Year's Eve Party
==> Link Directory
==> Just for Fun
==> Recipe
==> Closing Thought
==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > WELCOME < < < < < < < < <
________________________________________________________________
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
With New Year's Eve approaching, millions of Americans will resolve
to quit smoking. For those of us with COPD, quitting smoking is the
single most important step we can take to slow the progression of
our disease, as well as improve our overall health. But, it's not
easy.
If you have quit smoking, congratulations! If you are still struggling
with a nicotine addiction, there are many proven methods you can
use to break the habit
This issue focuses on quitting smoking.
We also invite everyone to join us in an online New Year's Eve
celebration. Details are listed under the Community Update section.
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
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy New Year!
Yours in health ...
Susie
________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > COPD NEWS < < < < < < < < < <
________________________________________________________________
RESOLVE NOT TO FORGET YOUR MEDICINES
One of the greatest health problems among patients with chronic
diseases, such as asthma or COPD, is a failure to consistently take
existing medications as prescribed. For example, non-adherence
is the leading cause of emergency room visits for asthma patients.
Dr. Bruce Bender, head of Pediatric Behavioral Health at National
Jewish, offers a few tips for people whose New Year's resolution for
health is to take their medications consistently. Sere Tips:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/news/healthtips/adherence.html
RESEARCHERS FIND PROMISING SARS THERAPY
A combination of steroids and anti-viral drugs offers a promising
treatment for SARS, the virus that killed about 800 people this year
and infected thousands worldwide, Canadian researchers said.
Preliminary results of a clinical study of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome patients show "major potential" for the treatment. Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4038647
STEROID ALLERGY MAY OCCUR IN ASTHMA PATIENTS
A delayed allergic response to corticosteroid drugs may occasionally
develop in asthma patients who are treated with these medications,
Finnish researchers report. They estimate that the rate of
corticosteroid allergy in asthma patients is similar to that seen
among dermatitis patients who are treated with topical steroids. See
Details:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4033447
STUDY: STEROIDS FOR COPD DON'T EXTEND LIFE
In the latest twist in the debate over the best treatments for
emphysema and chronic bronchitis, an extensive study suggests a
popular type of inhaler doesn't do a thing to help patients live
longer. See Story:
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=1576010
WHO WARNS OF LURKING DANGERS
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that cardiovascular
disease, tobacco-related illness and road deaths are increasingly
responsible for millions of deaths in the developing world. The
"big three" diseases - HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - may
be posing the greatest global health threat, but according to the
WHO there are three growing dangers that should not be ignored.
Cardiovascular disease, tobacco-related illness and road traffic
hazards are killing millions of people every year, the WHO warns
in its recently released 2003 report. See Report:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200312220018.html
VITAMIN MAY HOLD CURE FOR EMPHYSEMA
A form of vitamin A could one day provide the basis for a cure
emphysema. British researchers have found that retinoic acid, a
derivative of vitamin A, can cure the disease in mice. Writing in
the European Respiratory Journal, they said it reverses damage
done to tiny air sacs in the lungs. See More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3329103.stm
NIC VAX VACCINE BEING TESTED ON SMOKERS
The American Cancer Society said 46 million adults smoke.
Another 8.6 million Americans are living with a serious illness
caused by smoking. While there are many ways to quit smoking,
most people will relapse. Now, doctors may have found a vaccine
to help smokers stop for good. A new vaccine called NicVax is
now being tested on humans. See More:
http://www.click2houston.com/health/2717489/detail.html
INFORMATION ON NEW MEDICARE COVERAGE
For information on the changes in Medicare coverage and the
inclusion of a prescription drug program, call 1-800-Medicare
or visit the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) Web site at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/
HEALTH SITES FOR AMERICAN VETERANS
The U.S. Veteran's Administration has developed a new health
portal for veterans and their families to provide information and
tools to enable veterans to achieve their best health. See Site:
http://www.myhealthevet.va.gov/
Also See:
-- Tricare for military retirees:
http://www.mytricare.com/Internet/tric/tri/tricare.nsf
-- Dental program for military retirees:
http://www.ddpdelta.org/retiree/index.html
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/
_____________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > RECALLS / WARNINGS < < < < < < < < <
_____________________________________________________________
RECALLS
To view current U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls, go to
http://www.safetyalerts.com/
_____________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > GUEST EDITORIAL < < < < < < < < < < <
_____________________________________________________________
I WILL START NEXT YEAR SMOKE-FREE
By Don Soderstrom
Avoidcourt@aol.com
I wonder how many people have made the above statement besides
me? It won't be long until we all start making our New Year's
resolutions to kick off the year 2004. And, it won't be long after
the New Year starts that the majority of smokers will soon forget
the pledge that they were going to start off the New Year
smoke-free.
After I finish this pack or carton next week, when I'm not so
stressed out and under the gun at work and a dozen more reasons
(excuses) is what smokers will say when asked why they are still
smoking. One of the most prevalent excuses is that smokers are
emotionally afraid that they won't be able to make it through the
physical withdrawal symptoms without losing control and throwing a
temper tantrum.
I was asked to be a volunteer at our local V.A. Hospital's smoking-
cessation classes a year ago. Since then, my wife, Jackie, and I
have also been asked to volunteer with the American Lung
Association's smoking-cessation classes and have received numerous
invitations to work with the local mid-school and high-school
students.
One thing that I stress very heavily at the beginning of each class
is, "We can't help you nor is there anything on the market that can
help you unless you have finally made up your mind once and for all
that you are going to quit smoking. With that thought in mind, it is
a lot easier to finally snuff out that "sickeratte" and to start a
smoke-free life.
For the majority of smokers, quitting is not easy. I know. I smoked
between three and four packs of cigarettes daily for a little over
40 years. I lost count of the number of times I said I was going to
quit. I tried virtually everything on the market to help me.
However, until I finally reached the point in my life to where every
time I would light up a cigarette I would cough so hard that no one
could stand to be around me and I would almost physically pass out
as I could not catch my breath. When that happened, I finally sat
down and thought to myself, "Unless I quit, I won't be around this
Earth or my lovely wife much longer."
Thank God I made it through the physical withdrawal period for the
last time. During that hectic period, I also learned how to change
my habits and routines that would cause me to want a cigarette.
Would I smoke again? Absolutely. If I were to take one drag off of
one cigarette, I would be back to smoking all over again.
So, I had to look myself in the mirror and tell myself, "I am a
'smoke-a-holic.'" As such, I cannot promise that I will never smoke
again. I can promise that I will not smoke today.
I would like to offer an invitation to all those smokers to join me
and other COPDers who have finally managed to snuff out that
sickeratte for the last time and start off their new year
smoke-free.
(See details below on how to join our Quit Smoking Now (QSN)
interactive support program.)
_____________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < <
_____________________________________________________________
REALLY WANT TO QUIT SMOKING?
Talk with your physician about the best ways to quit smoking - for
good. Write down a list of questions about quitting, and ask your
doctor to address those concerns.
TOOLS TO BEAT NICOTINE ADDICTION
Should you quit cold turkey or use a quitting aid? According to the
U.S. Surgeon General, medications can help you stop smoking and
lessen the urge to smoke. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has approved five medications as nicotine replacement
therapies to help you quit smoking: See the list of medications and
more information on quitting at
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/
QSN - ONLINE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
If you need online support, go to the link above to join our
interactive QSN Program, where community members support one another
in stopping smoking and remaining smoke-free.
YOU CAN QUIT SMOKING NOW
The U.S. government has a new site loaded with tools, support and
information for quitting smoking, including telephone support in
your area. See Support Site:
http://smokefree.gov/
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS MEETINGS
What is Nicotine Anonymous (NicA)? Nicotine Anonymous is a
fellowship where members live free of nicotine and help others
to do the same - one day at a time. There is online support as well
as face-to-face meetings worldwide. For more information on this
12-step recovery program, go to
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/
REHABS FOR SMOKERS
Many drug and alcohol inpatient treatment centers offer residential
programs for smoking cessation from one week to 28 days. The cost,
although expensive and not usually covered by insurance, varies
greatly from center to center. Below are three links to nicotine
treatment centers. Check in your local area to see if there is a
facility near you that offers inpatient treatment or outpatient
smoking-cessation programs.
-- Caron Foundation:
http://www.caron.org/nicotine.asp
-- Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayo.edu/staff/ndc/resprograms.html
-- St. Helena:
http://www.sthelenahospital.org/Center/CH_Nicotine/Nicotine.html
______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > COMMUNITY UPDATE < < < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________
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
SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CYBER PARTY!
Join us in an online New Year's Eve celebration at the 12 a..m.
(Eastern Time) chat. The chat will start at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday,
December 31. In addition to ringing in the New Year together,
below is a link to the live cameras in Times Square, so we all
will be able to watch the celebration on the Web!
Everyone is invited, and we hope that all of you who are up at that
time will join in the celebration. You can try out the link before
the party at
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/
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
-- QSN Holiday Chat Schedule
Due to the busy holiday season, there will be no Monday night
Quit Smoking Now chat. Chats will resume on Monday, January 5
at 9 p.m.
However, if anyone needs help with their quit and wants to
talk, please write Don Soderstrom at Avoidcourt@aol.com or
Dorothy Williams at dwilyums@charter.net
For more information on our chat rooms, please contact Deb, chat
coordinator, at
Chat@COPD-International.com
We look forward to seeing you!
______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > LINK DIRECTORY < < < < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________
CLICK TO GET YOUR NEW YEAR'S FORTUNE
http://www.blackdog4kids.com/holiday/newyear/fortune1.html
_______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________
GOOD LUCK PORK AND SAUERKRAUT
The Pennsylvania Dutch believe that a New Year dinner of
pork and sauerkraut will bring good luck in the coming year.
Serve this traditional dinner with mashed potatoes and a veggie.
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Ready In: 1 Hour 5 Minutes
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound boneless pork loin, cubed
1 (16 ounce) can sauerkraut with juice
1 apple, cored and chopped with peel
Directions: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork
and brown. Add can of sauerkraut with liquids, then add apple. Stir
until all are simmering, then lower heat and cover. Let simmer for 1
hour or until pork is cooked through and tender. Makes 4 servings.
(Allrecipes)
_______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850 ~
_______________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE < < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________
TO SUBSCRIBE:
mailto: List-Admin@COPD-International.com ?subject=subscribe-news
TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
mailto: List-Admin@COPD-International.com ?subject=unsubscribe-news
ONLINE ACCESS:
http://www.COPD-International.com/lists
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!
Thank You For Your Readership
-----------------
Notes
-----------------
Newsletters are archived in the COPD-International online Library.
However, links to outside sources cannot be guaranteed after
publication date.
"COPD-International Newsletter" is an opt-in ezine available by
subscription only. You must have sent an e-mail request or visited
our Web site to request this subscription. We neither use nor
endorse the use of "spam." This newsletter is never sent to anyone
who has not requested it and we NEVER share your e-mail address with
third-parties.
© 2003 COPD-International.com, except where otherwise indicated.
All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from
copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective
owners. All content provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.
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.
Links in this newsletter to other Internet sites are not
endorsements of any products or services associated with such sites.