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, June 21, 2004
Volume #3 -- Issue #25
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 Article - FORTE Study
==> 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
The preliminary results of a U.S. study called the FORTE Study,
which stands for "Feasibility Of Retinoid Therapy for Emphysema,"
were released recently. According to preliminary reports, at this
time, the study results do not support the use of retinoic acids to
treat emphysema.
This issue features general information about the study. The final
results will be available following publication in a peer-reviewed
journal.
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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GLAXO TO PUBLISH DRUG TRIAL RESULTS ONLINE
GlaxoSmithKline will publish clinical trial results for marketed
medicines on the Internet, the London-based firm said, as it seeks
to fight back from a lawsuit claiming it suppressed negative data on
one of its drugs. Europe's biggest drugmaker said it would create an
electronic database to be called the GSK Clinical Trial Register,
which it plans to make accessible very soon to doctors and the
public. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&story
ID=5460317
SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT IMPROVES HEART RISKS
People who experience sleep apnea, or brief episodes when breathing
stops, are often treated with continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) to help them breathe properly during the night. While rather
cumbersome and inconvenient, the treat treatment is worth sticking
to - especially for people who have heart disease - new findings
show. According to a report in the European Heart Journal, treatment
of obstructive sleep apnea reduces cardiovascular events, such as
heart attacks or the need for heart surgery, among people who
already have coronary heart disease. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5440919&
section=news
STUDY: FUROSEMIDE REDUCES COPD SYMPTOMS
Inhalation through a nebulizer of furosemide, a diuretic used for
hypertension, alleviated the sensation of severe breathlessness
(dyspnea) caused by exercise testing in patients with moderate
to severe COPD, according to a study in the American Thoracic
Society's peer-reviewed journal. Researchers performed a double-
blind, randomized crossover study on 19 COPD patients to investigate
the degree of and potential relief from dyspnea during exercise. See
Abstract: http://www.thoracic.org/news/pres_ats.asp#ats1
STUDY: FLU SHOT HELPFUL FOR COPD PATIENTS
Vaccination is highly effective in preventing influenza-related
illness in patients with emphysema and other lung conditions
classified as COPD, Thai researchers have shown. As reported in the
medical journal Chest, during an 18-month study the rate of
influenza-related illness was 6.8 cases per 100 persons per year in
a group that was vaccinated, compared with 28.1 cases per 100
persons per year in the unvaccinated group. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5430352&
section=news
STUDY: REHAB EFFECTIVE IN ELDERLY COPDERS
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective treatment in terms of
improving dyspnea, exercise capacity and quality of life in elderly
COPD patients, and the benefits are almost comparable for
young-elderly and old-elderly patients, according to this study. See
Abstract:
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/abstract.asp?ref=1323-7799&vid=9&iid
=2&aid=15&s=&site=1
SHARING BLAME FOR LUNG CANCER
Everyone knows smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but does
that mean people with the disease should take all the blame for
their condition? That's the question researchers set out to
investigate with a new survey of lung cancer patients in Great
Britain. See Story:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid
=8902
SMOKERS, QUIT EARLY TO REGAIN HEALTH
People who quit smoking before the age of 35 can eventually live as
long and healthy lives as people who never smoked, a new study
shows. "If you quit by age 35, you avoid nearly all of the harm
smoking has on lifespan and quality of life," study author Dr.
Donald H. Taylor, Jr., said. However, it takes time to regain that
lost health, the report notes. He also cautioned that people should
not believe that it's okay to smoke until you are 35. "The problem
is that once you start (smoking), it is hard to quit," he said. See
Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5460169
SAVE PRECIOUS ENERGY
One of the keys to adapting to life with a chronic illness is
preserving as much energy as possible, so you function throughout
the day. By approaching daily activities with a plan, you can avoid
wasting precious energy. Here are some tips for shopping for
groceries that eliminate wandering and extra time on your feet:
-- Visit the same grocery store each time, so you can memorize
the layout of the store.
-- Make a list and organize it according to the store layout,
putting like items together.
-- Park close to the exit door.
-- Shop with a partner when possible and divide the list.
-- Push a cart to help with leverage and balance or use a
sit-down cart.
-- Ask for help with items that are high or low.
-- Utilize snack bars and delis within the store to take a
break.
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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PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF FORTE STUDY
The preliminary results of the FORTE (Feasibility of Retinoids in
the Treatment of Emphysema) Study were presented at the American
Thoracic Society meeting in May. The investigators are preparing
final results for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
The FORTE Study, a multi-center clinical trial sponsored by the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB) of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), studied patients with emphysema to
explore the effects of different formulations and doses of retinoic
acid, a derivative of vitamin A, and to determine if a larger
clinical trial of these treatments was warranted.
Participants were randomized to receive all-trans-retinoic acid
(ATRA) in high-dose (1 mg/kg BID), ATRA in low dose (0.5 mg/kg BID),
13-cis retinoic acid (13cRA; dose of 1 mg/kg/day), or placebo.
In the study, retinoic acid treatment as given showed no evidence of
rapidly or substantially reversing or improving emphysema; other
treatment programs or other forms of retinoic acid may give
different results.
Based on preliminary analysis of the extensive data provided from
FORTE, investigators concluded the following regarding the role of
retinoic acid in the treatment of emphysema.
- Overall, respiratory symptoms and most of the lung function
tests, including CT scan, did not change during or after
retinoic acid treatment.
- One of the two drugs tested (ATRA) may have caused a
temporary decrease in the ability of the lungs to transport
oxygen into the blood.
Researchers do not know the cause for this, but the test returned to
normal once the drug was stopped.
Other findings included minor side effects, such as dry skin and lip
chapping. Also, minor abnormalities of blood tests, such as
cholesterol or liver function tests, were common. These were not
serious and returned to normal when the drug was stopped.
These results do not support the use of retinoic acids to treat
emphysema. The investigators remain dedicated to research on new
and better treatments to lessen the disability associated with
emphysema.
More information will be available when the final results are
published in a peer-reviewed journal.
(Compiled from various news sources.)
Editor's Note: The NHLB Web site is a good source of
information on new treatments as the evidence becomes
available. NHLB Site: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
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> > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <
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U.S. HEALTH GROUPS TEAM UP WITH ADVICE
Want to avoid a heart attack? How about a stroke? Or is it cancer or
diabetes you fear? The advice to avoid all of them is the same -
exercise more, stay slim or slim down, eat plenty of fruits and
vegetables, do not smoke and visit your doctor. The American Heart
Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes
Association teamed up to deliver a simple, clear message to the U.S.
public and to doctors - these top four killers are all mostly caused
by lifestyle. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews
&storyID=5429566§ion=news
NIH LAUNCHES EXPANDED HEALTH WEB SITE
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched an
expanded, interactive health information Web site available at
http://health.nih.gov/ The expanded site now offers links to a
wider range of NIH's resources, features colorful images to
highlight a range of useful features and gives readers the chance
to test their health knowledge. Visitors can still access the "A to
Z" listing of topics, browse topics by body location/systems, or
use the main "Search" box. Favorite health databases, such as
Clinical Trials, MEDLINEplus and PubMed, remain one click
away.
HOW TO AVOID HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
Hot weather always brings the risk of heat stroke, which is the
result of the body's inability to manage the heat properly,
according to Johns Hopkins University's Bayview Medical Center. Here
are some tips on staying healthy in the heat:
-- If working outside, try to do so in the early morning or
after 6 p.m.
-- If working in an area without air conditioning, drink a
quart of water every hour.
-- If your diet allows, use extra salt on foods.
-- If it is extremely hot, consider spending the day in
air-conditioned places, such as in a mall or library.
(HealthDayNews)
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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
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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
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http://www.copd-international.com/Library/newsletters/archives.htm
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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
-- 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
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-- To Volunteer
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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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NAME THE STATES
This is a third-grade test on the location of the states.
To test
your knowledge of the United States, go to
http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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CHICKEN BROCCOLI DIVAN
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 20 min.
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked broccoli flowerets
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Cream of Chicken OR 98% Fat
Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp. butter OR margarine, melted
Directions:
PLACE broccoli and chicken in 9" pie plate or 2-qt. shallow
baking dish. MIX soup and milk and pour over. Sprinkle with
cheese. Mix bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle on top.
BAKE at 450°F. for 20 min. or until hot. Serves 4
(Campbell's Kitchen)
Note: Leftover rotisserie chicken is perfect for this
casserole, or poach a couple of chicken breasts in chicken
broth, cool slightly and cut into cubes. Save the broth to
add extra flavor when steaming rice.
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Every now and again take a good look at something not made with
hands - a mountain, a star, the turn of a stream. There will come to
you wisdom and patience and solace and, above all, the assurance
that you are not alone in the world.
-- Sidney Lovett --
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Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!
Thank You For Your Readership
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Notes
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