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, May 3, 2004
Volume #3 -- Issue #18
Susie Bowers, Editor -- Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2004 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 - Medicare Prescription Cards
==> 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
Starting today, May 3, Medicare beneficiaries, except for those who
have Medicaid drug coverage, have the opportunity to enroll in a
Medicare-approved prescription drug discount program. Beginning in
June, the discount cards will provide discounts off the regular
price of prescription drugs. Enrollment is voluntary and the cards
do come with a fee.
This issue features general information and links to detailed
information and how to apply for a discount card.
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
Editor's Note: There are several exceptionally long links in
this edition. Please cut and paste the entire address into
your browser if you have trouble opening the page.
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> > > > > > > > > COPD NEWS < < < < < < < < < <
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ASTHMA DRUG ALVESCO APPROVED IN U.K.
ALTANA Pharma has announced that the Medicines and Healthcare
Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom has
granted marketing approval for Alvesco (Ciclesonide), a
lung-activated inhaled corticosteroid with novel release and
distribution properties. Alvesco is indicated as treatment of
persistent asthma in adults. Alvesco is a new generation inhaled
corticosteroid with novel release and distribution properties.
Inhaled corticosteroids are considered to be the foundation of
asthma treatment. See More:
http://www.news-medical.net/view_article.asp?id=737
13% OF ADULTS IN U.K. HAVE ASTHMA
Thirteen percent of the U.K. adult population has asthma, says a new
report by the European Respiratory Society. The U.K. and Ireland
have the highest death rates from respiratory diseases in the
European Union. A total of 5.1 million people in the U.K. suffer
from asthma - that is 13% of the adult population. More people die
in the U.K. from lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia and COPD than heart
disease. See Story:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?newsid=7725
TAKE 2 ASPIRINS, E-MAIL ME TOMORROW
Electronic communications between doctors and patients may be
the next best thing to a home visit. "People are often more
comfortable talking to a computer than they are to a doctor," said a
professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School and the lead
author of an article on doctors and e-mail. Instead of playing phone
tag or answering a deluge of less than urgent phone calls throughout
the day, some physicians say, they are redirecting minor questions
and concerns to their in-boxes. See Story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/health/27HEAL.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.
HEALTHCARE: TIME TO STOP TALKING, START DOING
No one needs to be reminded that the United States' healthcare
system is not delivering nearly as much value to patients as it
could for the money we are spending. One of the root causes for this
discrepancy is the outmoded system of healthcare delivery that we
have inherited from an era less burdened with chronic disease, less
empowered by useful but expensive and complicated technologies and
less aware of the hazards patients endure from the many avoidable
errors that occur in complex settings, according to the president of
the Association of American Medical Colleges. See Editorial:
http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/april04/word.htm
"USE IT OR LOSE IT" RINGS TRUE FOR COPDERS
Use it or lose it, fitness experts tell us. Now a new study offers
evidence that the adage really does ring true - that a lack of
exercise can not only cause physical setbacks, but also
psychological setbacks as well. Researchers looked at the exercise
habits of a group of older adults with COPD). All of the
participants completed a 10-week exercise rehabilitation program,
then were given a home exercise program to follow on their own.
Results showed that participants achieved increased cognitive,
psychological and physical function after the initial 10-week
exercise intervention. But the people who stopped exercising after
this period lost their gains in nearly every mental and physical
characteristic that the researchers had measured. See Story:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040415005903.htm
CURCUMIN MAY HELP CUT CF DEATHS
The Associated Press reported on a recent study conducted by
researchers at Johns Hopkins University, which found that large
doses of curcumin, a substance found in the spice turmeric,
decreased deaths among mice with cystic fibrosis. In the meantime,
however, doctors are saying that patients should not self-medicate
with the substance.
According to the article, scientists will soon begin studying the
effects in people. For example, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is
funding a study in two dozen cystic fibrosis patients this summer to
determine an appropriate dose for curcumin and to test for side
effects.
(American Lung Association)
STUDY REVEALS NEW FACTOR IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have
identified a missing piece of the puzzle of how lung damage occurs
in cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a life-threatening, genetic disease
that causes chronic lung infections and impairs digestion. The
discovery, published in the current issue of Nature Immunology,
provides impetus for the development of novel therapeutics that
decrease inflammation in children with CF. Story:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/03/040322082025.htm
VALVE HELPS VENTILATOR PATIENTS SPEAK
Ask any ventilator-dependent patients what the most difficult aspect
of their condition is and often they will answer, "Not being able to
speak." The ventilator-dependent patient is unable to speak because
the tracheal tube is positioned below the larynx, resulting in no
airflow passing through the vocal folds to create speech. However,
the use of a small plastic device called the Passy-Muir Speaking
Valve can eliminate this problem. See More:
http://www.advanceforrcp.com/common/Editorial/editorial.aspx?CC=32300
SLEEP APNEA MAY UP RISK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
If you have sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which
your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, the loud
snoring and daytime drowsiness that characterize your condition may
not be your only problem. You could also have high blood pressure -
an estimated 50 percent of people with sleep apnea do. See More:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HI00017&si=2485
MILLIONS IN U.S. BELIEVED TO BE PRE-DIABETIC
Millions more Americans than previously thought have signs of what
could later turn into diabetes, the government says. Doubling
previous figures, the government estimates that 41 million Americans
have pre-diabetes - blood sugar high enough to dramatically increase
their risk of getting the full-blown disease. The figures released
recently are significantly higher than previous estimates because
doctors have changed the criteria for diagnosing the disease after
research showed they were missing too many at-risk patients. See
More:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4863562/?GT1=3256
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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U.S. FDA CITES POSSIBLE NEW RISKS OF BOWEL DRUG
Some users of the irritable-bowel treatment Zelnorm have suffered
diarrhea so serious they require hospitalization, and four have died
from an intestinal problem, the government said. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) stressed that it has not proved a link between
the intestinal condition, called ischemic colitis, and the drug. But
the agency ordered that a precaution about the intestinal condition
go on Zelnorm's label, along with a larger warning about severe
diarrhea.
(Associated Press)
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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ENROLLMENT STARTS TODAY FOR MEDICARE DRUG CARDS
Starting today, May 3, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a
Medicare-approved drug discount card program. The cards are
primarily intended for individuals without outpatient prescription
drug insurance. The discount card program is not intended to be a
prescription drug benefit, but rather a discount program to help
people until the Medicare drug benefit takes effect on January 1,
2006.
General Information
-- Make sure the card is approved by Medicare.
-- This is a discount program, not a co-pay plan.
-- Only one card can be selected, but can be changed in
Nov.-Dec.
-- The pharmacy of your choice must be a participant.
-- Ask your pharmacist to guide you in selecting the right card.
-- The program begins June 1.
-- The card is voluntary. You probably have no need to get a
card if you have prescription coverage or are already getting
discounts of 10-25 percent on your medications.
-- Beware of scam artists posing as approved card providers.
See Details:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/discountdrugs/overview.asp
MEDICARE STEPS UP CUSTOMER SERVICE
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced
that Medicare has more than tripled the number of customer service
representatives available through its toll-free information line,
which is a 24-hour a day, seven-day-a-week hot line. The expansion
of the call center has been done to handle the anticipated influx of
calls generated by the availability of drug discount cards beginning
today, as well as the ongoing addition of new prescription drug and
preventive care benefits being added to Medicare over the next two
years.
HHS is encouraging people to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
or go to www.Medicare.gov for personalized assistance in comparing
drug discount cards or to learn about other benefits being offered
under the new law.
MEDICARE DRUG SITE HAS INACCURACIES
Sponsors of the new Medicare drug discount cards on Friday said some
prices are wrong on the online prescription price comparison.
Several card sponsors have complained that some prices are too high,
while others are too low. The Web site is managed by DestinationRx,
a small, California-based company that Medicare hired without seeking
bids.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is
addressing the problems. CMS began posting drug prices on its Web
site Thursday, allowing people to compare the new Medicare-approved
discount drug cards and decide which offer the best prices.
The administration is predicting that the discount cards will save
Medicare recipients money, but critics said seniors can get similar
prices, without discounts, through online pharmacies and do even
better using Canadian pharmacies.
(Associated Press)
MEDICAL RIGHTS CENTER
This consumer-driven site offers continuously updated and easy to
understand information on prescription drug cards.
http://www.medicarerights.org/rx76questionsframeset.html
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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SPRING CLEAN YOUR DIET
The weather is getting warmer and the change of season is a great
time to spring clean your diet. Giving a few foods the boot will get
you off to a great start in meeting your summer weight loss goals.
See Tips:
http://weightloss.about.com/cs/eatsmart/a/aa040104.htm
EXERCISE: USE YOUR TIME WISELY
You may have heard that shorter workouts done throughout the day
are just as effective at burning calories as one, longer workout.
That's great, but it's confusing trying to figure out how to change
your longer workouts into shorter ones. If you only have 10 or 15
minutes at a time, how long should your warm up be? What exercises
should you do? How can you keep the intensity up to get an
effective workout? See Tips:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/fittingitin/a/shortworkouts.htm
GARDENING FOR STRESS RELIEF
Whether planning, planting, tending or harvesting, thousands of
gardeners describe an emotional "high" associated with their hobby
that promotes emotional well-being and relieves stress symptoms.
Like many meditation and relaxation programs, gardening involves
a combination of physical movement and mental concentration. But,
what role does gardening may play in stress control. See Q&A:
http://stress.about.com/cs/copingskills/a/garden.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
CONDOLENCES
We send our condolences to the family of Ken Baareman, who passed
away on April 30. His wife, Betty, has been keeping a journal of
their journey through Hospice care. The online journal can be
accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/library/hospice-story.htm
To leave condolences and loving thoughts for the Baareman
family, go to
DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily. We invite everyone to
stop in and visit. See Chat Schedule:
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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
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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
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Don't forget to checkout all our support programs listed on
our
Home Page at
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> > > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < < <
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HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FEAR?
A phobia is an exaggerated, persistent, and overpowering fear of
...well, just about anything. The subjects of these intense fears
are irrational by definition. Their names, however, are quite
rational; most are derived from Greek or Latin. Test your knowledge
of phobias at
http://encarta.msn.com/quiz_104/Phobias_Quiz.html
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> > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < <
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HERB ROASTED CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
This recipe doubles easily to serve more or to enjoy as leftovers.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 50 min.
Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/3 cup water
2 tsp. dried oregano leaves, crushed
2 cups fresh OR frozen baby carrots
4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters
4 bone-in chicken breast halves
1/2 tsp. paprika
Directions:
MIX soup, water, 1 tsp. oregano, carrots and potatoes in
shallow roasting pan.
TOP with chicken. Season with remaining oregano and paprika.
BAKE at 400°F. for 50 min. or until done. Stir vegetables.
Serves 4.
(Campbell's Kitchen)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Special People
I once read that it takes often takes forever to find "that
special person", but once we do, it takes an entire lifetime to
forget them. I am often amazed at the number of "forevers" we
have experienced here in our COPD community -- and the number of
special people that I will never forget.
As I sat quietly thinking about the past week, the realization
that once again we have been given a special gift from two very
special people became so very evident. The gift that Ken and
Betty has given us is truly unique, and will never be matched.
In their most trying of times, they took us into their lives,
sharing their most private thoughts, feelings and emotions. In
those final days, Ken and Betty continued to help, guide and
educate us - giving us the much needed insight as Ken
approached the day of his final journey. Ken, even in the dusk
of his life, told Betty to tell it all, and to not hold back.
Ken and Betty, as truly caring people, taught us well. Once again
we have been shown the ultimate in caring and sharing by a member
of our family. The guidance that the journal will continue to
provide for COPDers who follow in the future can not be measured.
cg
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Note: Betty and Ken's journal is at:
http://www.copd-international.com/library/hospice-story.htm
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