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, February 24, 2003                        Volume #2 -- Issue #8
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004   COPD-International.com   All rights reserved.

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            > > > > > > > > > > IN THIS ISSUE  < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Lifestyle Changes
==> Nutrition/Wellness
==> COPD Community Update
==> 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
A diagnosis of an incurable disease has many ramifications - and
change is on the top of the list, especially with a diagnosis of COPD.

For those of us with COPD, lifestyle changes are inevitable. The
fact is our bodies no longer perform the way they once did, making it
physically impossible to do the things that we once took for granted.

Fighting the changes we are forced to make because of our physical
limitations only makes life harder. This issue deals on how to make
changes and tips on developing new coping skills that allow us to
enjoy the highest quality of life possible.

Change - like it or not - is part of living with COPD.

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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-----EXERCISE MORTALITY PREDICTOR IN COPD PATIENTS
Exercise capacity is the best predictor of mortality in COPD patients,
according to a study in the second issue for February 2003 of the
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. See Article:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8011/361084.html?d
=dmtICNNews

-----EXERCISE - MORE IS BETTER FOR COPDERS
A trial comparing long-term and short-term exercise in patients with
COPD concludes that an 18- month exercise program results in
greater improvements in self-reported disability and physical function
in patients with COPD when compared with a 3-month exercise
program. As such, long-term exercise should be recommended for
all patients with COPD. See Abstract:
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/2/596

-----VACCINES SHOW PROMISE IN LUNG CANCER
Vaccines made from patients' own tumors are safe and seem to
work in early human tests. Future enhancements promise to make
this a powerful new treatment for deadly cancers. See Details:
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/61/67275.htm

-----NEW CANCER TREATMENT HOLDS HOPE
Scientists in the U.K. say a combination of red light, blue dye and a
plant hormone could kill cancer cells. Researchers at the Gray Cancer
Institute in London say their method causes the release of free radicals,
which form poisonous by-products with the potential to kill cancer cells.
Professor Peter Wardmen, who led the study for Cancer Research
U.K., says, "We are hopeful that we can quickly translate this treatment
into clinical reality." (Source: Ananova 14/02/03)

-----APPROACHES TO SLOWING COPD PROGRESSION
There is new interest in dietary strategies to prevent or control COPD
and preliminary information suggesting the usefulness of diets favoring
antioxidant-rich foods.

On the other hand several large, long-term, randomized, controlled
clinical trials have failed to show a beneficial effect of either
anticholinergics or corticosteroids in slowing the rate of decline in
lung function in COPD.

Corticosteroid treatment, however, appears to reduce the frequency
of COPD exacerbations and there is some suggestion that it may also
reduce the risk of death in patients with severe COPD. (Source:
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine 2003; 9(2):125-130)

-----HCV MAY HASTEN LUNG FUNCTION DECLINE
These findings suggest that chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection (HCV)
infection might accelerate decline in lung function in patients who already
have COPD. See Preliminary Study:
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/2/596

-----U.S. FDA APPROVES NEW HEART ATTACK TEST
Doctors have won federal approval of a new blood test to help them
tell which patients suffering chest pain are really having a heart attack.
See Details: http://www.msnbc.com/news/873116.asp

-----BMJ EDITORIAL ON NEW ASTHMA GUIDELINES
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) says asthma action plans have
been shown to work when these plans are personalized and linked
to the individual patient's goals and problems. The guidelines provide
an excellent resource and should act as a stimulus for patients and
doctors to work together to provide appropriate care in asthma.
See Editorial: http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7385/346

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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To view drug recalls, please go to our Library section
at http://www.copdinternational.com/library/contents.htm
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      > > > > > > > > > > FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < < < < <
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-----WHO ME? CHANGE!
Ever wonder why change seems so hard for some people and so easy
for others? Everybody is different. Perhaps you want to become more
active because you don't feel good about extra weight, and you want to
do what's best for your health. But you just can't seem to change your
routine. Why don't you have more motivation or willpower? Although
this story is not COPD-specific, it does address how to make positive
changes in your lifestyle.
http://www.aarp.org/confacts/fitness/change.html

-----ALL ABOUT LIVING WITH COPD
Living with COPD means we must change our lifestyles and learn new
ways to take care for ourselves. We still have the same physical, emotional
and social needs everyone has, but we need to find new ways of coping
with some of them. The information in the sections below can help.
http://www.atrovent.com/livingrm.htm

-----TIPS TO OVERCOME COPD LIMITATIONS
A series of suggestions on "Living with COPD" is in the Library. The
series offers hundreds of tips on how to better perform daily tasks.
See Suggestions: http://www.copd-international.com/Library/contents.htm

-----KICK STRESS TO THE CURB!
Chronic illness, medications and the demands of daily life take their
toll in the form of stress. Stress is also associated with changes in our
lives that we have little or no control over. Finding ways to deal with
these stressors not only helps in the way someone feels emotionally,
but also physically. For those of us with COPD, keeping stress to a
minimum is a must. These are basic steps someone with a chronic
illness can take to help control stress.
http://asthma.about.com/library/weekly/aa071101a.htm

-----MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO QUITE SMOKING
When you are preparing to quit smoking or using other forms of tobacco,
consider the 5 Rs: relevance, risks, rewards, roadblocks and repetition.
Just as people start using tobacco products for different reasons, people
who decide to quit are motivated by different concerns. See Tips:
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/145/36135
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       > > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----ASTHMA PREVENTION AT HOME
The most important thing you can do at home is to control asthma
triggers. The main asthma triggers that are in your home are dust mites,
molds, pollens, pets, cockroaches and household irritants. Secondhand
tobacco smoke may also be a trigger in your home. See Tips:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/46/1660_51080

-----STUDY - OLDER PATIENTS CAN HANDLE CHEMO
Chemotherapy is hard on anyone at any age, but many doctors
have long thought it's more difficult for older people to endure. Not so,
according to new research. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/60/67030.htm

-----UGH! U.S. CDC MEASURES BODY POLLUTION
Pollution is everywhere - including our bodies. How much is harmful?
Now the U.S. Center for Disease and Control (CDC) has a powerful
new way to find out. See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/60/66968.htm
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   > > > > > > > > > > COPD 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.

-----DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily and we invite everyone
to stop in and visit. Also during the week, special on-topic chats
are held. Unlike our open chats, we ask that these chats stay on
topic. We look forward to seeing you. The chat room schedule can
be accessed at http://www.copd-international.com/Chat-schedule.htm

----- NEW! LUNG TRANSPLANT CHAT
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. (EST), a special on-topic chat is held on
lung transplants hosted by Tony Hamel. Tony had a single lung transplant
February 2001. This chat is held in the COPD Community Room.
Access the COPD room through the COPD community link off the
Home Page or directly at
http://www.copd-international.com/COPD/chat.htm

You can read more about Tony and his story in our library. The
direct link is http://www.copd-international.com/Library/lungtx.htm

-----EXERCISE CHAT
Sundays at 7 p.m. (EST) in the Exercise Chat Room, join Host Billie
in this informal chat setting to discuss exercise, getting started,
motivational tips, advanced tips and much more. All are welcome
who have an interest in any type or level of exercise. Exercise Chat
Room: http://www.copd-international.com/exercise/chat.htm

-----WEEKLY CAREGIVERS CHAT
On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (EST), we invite all caregivers who are in
need of mutual support to join host Kitty in this weekly chat. You can
reach the Caregivers Chat Room at
http://www.copd-international.com/caregivers/chat.htm
(Note: Only caregivers in this chat please.)

-----QUIT SMOKING NOW PROGRAM AND CHAT
If you want online support to quit smoking, join our interactive
Quit Smoking Now (QSN) Program, where community members
support one another in stopping smoking and remaining smoke-free.
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/

For more information on the QSN Program, contact Diane, program
coordinator, at Newsletter@COPD-International.com . Diane is also available
for scheduling one-on-one chats. This is in addition to the regularly
scheduled chat on Mondays at 9 p.m. (EST). The chat room can be
accessed at 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

-----KEEP IN TOUCH PROGRAM
Our Keep in Touch Program (KIT) is a program set up for those of
us that live alone, or persons who desire a way to maintain daily
contact with a small group of people like themselves for reassurance.
For details, go to http://www.copd-international.com/Keep_in_Touch/

-----LOVING THOUGHTS
Express your loving thoughts, get-well wishes and prayers for
our fellow community members, who are very ill or hospitalized.
To participate in this program of loving concern, please go to
http://www.copd-international.com/Loving_Thoughts/

-----VISIT THE BILL HORDEN LIBRARY
In addition to the "COPD Survival Guide," our Library includes the
other works of COPD Advocate Bill Horden, a pioneer of online
support for those with COPD. To browse the Horden Library, go
to http://www.copd-international.com/COPDadvocate/

-----VOLUNTEERS - SUPPORT NEEDED
This site is supported and maintained by COPDers. It is not
uncommon for us to have severe pouts with our illness. Due to
our health issues, many of us need downtime to recuperate and
get back on our feet.

Therefore, a strong team of volunteers is most important. If you
want to volunteer, please contact us at
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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-----BINGO, ANYONE?

http://zone.msn.com/bingo/default.asp?TAd=1
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                   > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----TASTY MEATBALLS
These meatballs are made with ground beef, veal, pork, garlic and
Romano cheese. Finish cooking in your favorite marinara sauce.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs,
    cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
2. Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water
    1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold it's
    shape if rolled into meatballs. Shape into meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the
    meatball is very brown and slightly crisp remove from the heat and
    drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs
    while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)
4. Place cooked meatballs into a marinara sauce and cook for 15 more
   minutes. (Source: Allrecipes)

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         > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state
of mind.

-- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer --
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Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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All Disclaimers Apply: The information and guidance provided in this
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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.