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, March 3, 2003                           Volume #2 -- Issue #9
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2002-2004   COPD-International.com   All rights reserved.

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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 - Sleep Apnea
==> 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 good night's sleep. That's something many of us with COPD
often go without. COPD and sleep deprivation go hand in hand
for many of us. There can be many reasons for difficult sleeping
patterns, and one of the most common is sleep apnea.

This week's featured articles focus on sleep apnea and the most
common treatment - positive airway pressure (PAP) devices.

If you are having severe sleeping problems - especially if you are
overweight, awaken frequently during the night or often feel very
sleepy during the day - check with your pulmonary doctor about
having a sleep test performed.

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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-----TRIAL NICOTINE GUM WORKS FASTER
An experimental rapid-release nicotine gum may give smokers who are
trying to quit faster relief from cravings than regular nicotine gum, says
a new study.

Rapid-release nicotine gum provides peak nicotine levels in five to 10
minutes, compared to 15 to 20 minutes for Nicorette, a currently
commercially available nicotine gum, according to one of the study's
authors, Raymond Niaura, a professor at Brown Medical
School/The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I.

Bayer Consumer Care independently funded the study. The
rapid-release gum was developed by two companies, JSR and Biovail
Corp. (HealthScout, 2003-02-21)

-----U.S. CDC: FLU SEASON MODERATE - BUT NOT OVER
Flu activity has been moderate so far this winter, but a recent increase
in doctors' visits for flu-like illness shows that it's not over yet, a
federal health official said. The flu season runs from early October
through late March or early April.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
said that flu-related office visits, sickness and deaths were well
below epidemic levels through January 25, but that flu outbreaks
have started to rise.

-----ARDS CAN RESULT IN LINGERING FATIGUE
Canadian researchers say people who have suffered acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS) can experience persistent muscle weakness
and fatigue that persist for up to a year. The weakness does not appear
to be related to patient lung function, says Dr. Margaret Herridge
of the University Health Network in Toronto.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is an inflammation of the lungs
that can result from pneumonia trauma, major infection or other
factors. It is fatal in 40-60 percent of cases. (Reuters 21/02/03)

-----NEW FINDINGS MAY HELP SMOKERS QUIT
What makes a smoker want to light up even in the face of obvious
health risks? Researchers now believe cigarette smoke triggers a
complex chemical reaction in the brain that's hard to resist. But what
if you could achieve the same sensation without smoking? See Story:
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1139413

-----GENE LINKED TO PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
American researchers have pinpointed a gene pathway that causes
pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a form of high
blood pressure in the lungs. See Details:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=511638

-----REVIEW ADDRESSES NONRESOLVING PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia that is slow to resolve after appropriate antibiotic
therapy can be problematic. The sheer number of possible underlying
conditions and diseases with similar respiratory signs and symptoms often
seems overwhelming. These factors, along with a failure to appreciate how
long it can take for pneumonia to resolve radiographically, sometimes lead
to unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. In this article, the authors
review the infectious and noninfectious causes of nonresolving pneumonia,
immune defense factors and approaches to evaluation. See Article:
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/01_03/kyprianou3.htm

-----U.S. FDA CLEARS NEW HEART ATTACK LAB TEST
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared
for marketing a new laboratory blood test that will significantly
increase the ability of doctors to rule out a heart attack when a
person shows up at an emergency room with severe chest pains.
See Procedure:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01200.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/
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        > > > > > > > > > > RECALLS/WARNINGS < < < < < < < < < <
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-----CODIMAL DM COLD/COUGH SYRUP RECALLED
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Codimal-Cough-Syrup_recall.htm

To view earlier 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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-----GENERAL HEALTH GUIDE TO SLEEP APNEA
This link leads to several articles on sleep apnea, a condition that
occurs when a person regularly stops breathing for 10 seconds or
longer during sleep. It is a form of sleep-disordered breathing.
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/sleepap.html#1

-----SLEEP AND THE COPD PATIENT
Patients with COPD seem to have a higher prevalence of insomnia,
excessive daytime sleepiness and nightmares than the general
population, according to this article.
http://www.epocnet.com/area_m/normas/b_4_05a.html

-----CPAPS / BIPAPS / AUTO-PAPS
The most common form of treatment for sleep apnea is the use
of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices. These work by
blowing air under pressure through tubing to a nasal mask.

This pressurized air acts as an air splint to hold open the airway,
allowing the patient to breathe normally. This prevents obstructions
(closing of the airway) from occurring, so that the patient is not
aroused and can get a "normal" night's sleep.

The air pressure is measured in centimeters of water pressure
and usually ranges from 5 to 24, with the 8-10 range about
average.

There are three types of PAP devices:

-- CPAP is one continuous flow of air at one set pressure.

-- Bi-level PAP or BIPAP offers two pressures - a higher one
for inhalation and a lower one for exhalation. The machine senses
the breathing mode and adjusts as needed. BiPAP units can be
used as a CPAP by setting the inhalation and exhalation pressures
to the same setting.

-- Auto-titrating PAPs sense the pressure needed to keep
the airway open during the various stages of sleep and the
patient's position, adjusting the pressure to provide only the
pressure needed for that breath. This results in the patient getting
an overall average lower pressure, while still delivering the pressure
needed to keep the airway open during the most severe apneas.

Unlike ventilators, these units will not breathe for the patient, but
instead help a patient who has chronic respiratory failure, difficulty
breathing or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Many COPDers do better on a BiPAP machine, as they don't have
to struggle against exhaling against a continuously high pressure. The
primary reason COPDers go on bi-levels is to decrease the amount
of nocturnal hypoxemic events. This also helps rest the chest wall
muscles and makes them stronger for use during the day.
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       > > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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-----STUDY - MANY OLDER DIABETICS UNDIAGNOSED
About half of people aged 55 to 74 with diabetes were not aware they
had the disease, according to a survey conducted in a region of southern
Germany. See Details:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=
2269015

-----COLD WEATHER CAN CHILL YOUR HEART
Winter temperatures and conditions can be dangerous for people with
cardiovascular disease, says the American Heart Association (AHA).
If you have heart disease, be careful that the cold weather doesn't put
a chill in your heart. See Advice:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=
508888

-----MAY NOT BE TOO LATE TO "SAVE BRAIN CELLS"
A lower-calorie diet could save brain cells and allow mental capacity
to be maintained later in life. U.S. researchers say rats fed 40 percent
fewer calories than normal produce double the levels of a protein known
to protect brain cells, but admit that Western lifestyles would make it
hard for people to follow such a regime.

Prof. Christiaan Leeuwenburgh of the University of Florida, says,
"We're not going to do it right away to improve our memories - we're
going to do it probably to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer."
(BBC News Online 19/02/03)

-----ANITDEPRESSANTS KEEP DEPRESSION AT BAY
Research suggests that most patients treated for depression should
keep taking medication after the symptoms have disappeared. A
review of data, published in The Lancet, concludes that people who
stay on antidepressants are half as likely as those who stop taking
medication to have another bout of depression. The World Health
Organization (WHO) predicts that the condition will become the
second biggest cause of disability worldwide by 2020 unless
progress is made in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
(Associated Press Online 21/02/03)

-----ONLINE EMERGENCY ALERT PROGRAM
Get notified of an emergency by e-mail, cell phone or pager
from your local, regional and national government sources.
See Program Details: http://www.emergencyemail.org/
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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

-----LUNG TRANSPLANT CHAT
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. (EST), a special on-topic chat is held on
lung transplants and is 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

-----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

-- Linda Lyons, one of our caregivers, has let us know that her
husband Bill is back in the hospital. He was originally admitted
in December with double pneumonia and discharged on Jan. 9.
He was readmitted on Jan. 17 and is still there.

-- Tim Jones, another group member, is also in the hospital.


-----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/

-----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 - LEND A HELPING HAND
This site and all of its programs are 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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-----MOVIE QUOTE QUIZ

Test your silver-screen smarts.

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/event/academyawards/funandgames/
oscarmoviequotes.jsp

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                > > > > > > > > >>> RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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-----BARBECUE BEEF CUPS
Refrigerated biscuits are formed into cups, filled with a barbecued
beef filling and topped with cheese. Serve for lunch or an anytime
snack.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients

3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the cups
    of a muffin pan.
2. In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, cook beef until evenly
    brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in barbeque sauce and dried onion.
    Simmer for a few minutes over low heat.
3. Flatten each biscuit, and press into cups of the prepared muffin
    pan. Make sure the dough comes to the top of the pan. Spoon a
    portion of the meat mixture into each dough cup.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese
    and bake for 3 more minutes. (Source: Allspice)

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          > > > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Problems always look smaller after a warm meal and a good night's sleep.

-- Anonymous --

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Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!
Thank You For Your Readership
-----------------
Notes
-----------------
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All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from
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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.