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 28, 2004                                 Volume #3 -- Issue #26
Susie Bowers, Editor    --    Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2004  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.
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      > > > > > > > > > >        IN THIS ISSUE        < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Supplemental Oxygen
==> 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
Last week's issue featured patient-driven Web sites. This issue
focuses on another excellent Web site founded by Pete Wilson, an
oxygen user and patient advocate.

Under Featured Articles is information on what to do in case of a
power outage. There also is a link to Pete's continuously updated
site that contains detailed information on all aspects of
supplemental oxygen.

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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REGULAR USE OF ASTHMA DRUGS POSES DANGERS
Physicians who prescribe the regular use of beta-agonist drugs for
asthma could be endangering their patients, two new studies by
researchers at Cornell and Stanford universities find. One study
compiles previously published clinical trials to conclude that
patients could both develop a tolerance for beta-agonists and be at
increased risk for asthma attacks, compared with those who do not
use the drug at all. The second study shows that beta-agonist use
increases cardiac risks, such as heart attacks, by more than
two-fold, compared with the use of a placebo. See More:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040618063513.htm

MEDIMMUNE PLANS TO REVIVE FLUMIST
According to a recent Washington Post story, MedImmune announced
that it plans to revive sales of FluMist by cutting the price of the
nasal spray vaccine by nearly half and abandoning its current
consumer marketing campaign to focus more on physicians. The article
discusses how last year MedImmune manufactured 4 million doses of
FluMist for its first season, but sold fewer than 500,000. According
to the article, the company is developing a second version of the
vaccine that will reach the market by 2007. The company will also
manufacture between 1 million and 2 million doses of the vaccine for
this year's flu season. (American Lung Association)

EARLY THERAPY HELPS OUTCOMES OF EXACERBATIONS
COPD patients who reported a higher proportion of exacerbations for
treatment had better health-related quality of life than those
patients with more untreated exacerbations. Failure to report
exacerbations was associated with an increased risk of emergency
hospitalization. Patient recognition of exacerbation symptoms and
prompt treatment improves exacerbation recovery, reduces risks of
hospitalization and is associated with a better health-related
quality of life, according to the following article. See Abstract:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/12/1298

TIMELINE: SMOKING AND DISEASE
BBC News Online traces key developments in the half a century since
researchers began their landmark investigation into links between
smoking and life-threatening diseases. See Timeline:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3829607.stm

SMOKING CESSATION RESEARCH CENTER ESTABLISHED
Duke University Medical Center officials announced the launch of a
new Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research. The center,
an expansion and consolidation of the Duke Nicotine Research
Program, will seek to develop, evaluate and disseminate improved
methods to quit smoking, Duke nicotine researchers said. See Story:
http://dukemednews.org/news/article.php?id=7670

SMOKING TRIGGERS GENETIC CHANGES
Cigarette smoking alters the pattern of genes expressed in cells
lining the airways, and some of these changes do not return to
normal after smoking cessation, lab studies show. This may explain
why ex-smokers remain at risk for lung cancer. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5476071

IS IT ASTHMA, OR JUST THE WEIGHT?
Is the shortness of breath often experienced by overweight women
asthma or just due to being over weight? New research suggests it's
just the weight. Having extra weight compromises all respiratory
muscles, making them work harder and less efficiently," says Dr.
Shawn D. Aaron, one of the study's authors. As women in our study
lost weight, less stress was placed on the respiratory system, which
ultimately helped them breathe easier and exercise more," Aaron
said. See Story:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=8886

DOCTORS FIND SARS VIRUS IN TEARS OF PATIENTS
Tears could be a means of spreading Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), but analyzing samples taken from tear ducts could
also help with detecting the virus early, doctors said. Researchers
found the virus in samples taken from tear ducts they analyzed from
36 patients suspected of being infected last year. The SARS
outbreak, which first emerged in southern China in 2002, was brought
under control, but public health experts fear it could re-emerge.
See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5473177&
section=news

CHINSTRAP REDUCES MOUTH LEAK DURING NASAL CPAP
This study concludes that a chinstrap, by closing the mouth during
CPAP, reduces mouth leak and therefore the arousal index in most
patients. Nevertheless, the chinstrap may also increase snoring
and, in rare cases, can worsen the respiratory disturbance index.
Consideration of these potential effects is important before
instituting regular home use of the chinstrap. See Abstract:
http://www.mdlinx.com/PulmonologyLinx/thearts.cfm?artid=977118&specid=14&
ok=yes

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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OXYGEN: PREPARING FOR POWER OUTAGES
Are you or do you know someone who is dependent on electrically
powered life-sustaining equipment? Power outages are more than an
inconvenience for those whose lives depend upon electrical power.

Peter M. Wilson, an oxygen patients advocate from Spotsylvania,
Virginia, depends on electrical power to run his oxygen
concentrator.

"When the lights go out and my concentrator stops," Pete says,
"it's time to quickly reach for my backup system." Pete cautions
that the first five minutes without oxygen are critical. "When the
oxygen stops flowing, I become less clearheaded and less physically
capable of connecting myself to a backup system," he says.

"I encourage everyone to have a plan so there is no panic when the
lights go out," Pete says. "Include caregivers, family and friends
when making that plan. Collect and organize information and
equipment, and conduct practice drills so that everyone knows what
to do."

Pete recommends practicing what to do in case of a power outage as
you should practice what to do in case of fire. The ultimate goal of
these drills is to demonstrate to the patient that, no matter who
helps with the backup, the changeover can be done quickly, smoothly,
confidently, and without panic and discomfort to the patient.

Pete offers the following suggestions to help you prepare.

-- Keep a flashlight and a battery-powered radio with extra
batteries within easy reach.

-- Identify an emergency telephone, one that can operate
during a power outage. Such a phone is neither a cell phone
nor a phone that depends on house current to operate.

-- Set up an emergency notebook next to that telephone. The
notebook should contain emergency phone numbers, a list of the
patient's medications and the step-by-step procedures for
connecting the patient to backup systems.

-- Register the patient with the local fire and emergency
rescue units.

-- Register the patient annually with the power company as a
consumer who depends on a life support system.

-- Set up the backup system so that it can be quickly adopted
when there is a power outage. Record in the notebook the
procedure for connecting the patient to the backup system.
Determine and record the backup's duration at the patient's
flow rate.

For more information on supplemental oxygen, go to Pete Wilson's
extensive Web site at http://www.portableoxygen.org
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> > > > > > > > > > NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < < < <<
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14 SUPERFOODS FOR LOW-CARB DIETS
Fill up on great superfoods and watch the weight drop. If you're
looking for the best way to supercharge your low carb diet, focus on
these top 14 superfoods. See List:
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbbasic1/a/superfoods.htm

AGING GRACEFULLY: EXERCISE FOR SENIORS
Besides good genetics, the one thing that makes a difference in
quality of life is exercise. No matter how old you are, exercise can
improve your quality of life and you don't have to spend a lot of
time doing it to see and feel improvements. Like everyone else,
seniors need to engage in cardio, strength training and flexibility
exercises to stay healthy and maintain as much strength and
functionality as possible. See Tips:
http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseforseniors/a/exercise_senior.htm

25 CHEAP WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE COOLER
Simple changes, such as moving lamps away from thermostats, can save
you hundreds of dollars. Here are more money - and energy - saving
tips from the Department of Energy's Energy Savers program. See
Tips:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/Homefinancing/P85734.asp
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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

OUR SECOND ANNIVERSARY
On June 26, 2002, COPD-International went online with the goal of
helping others with COPD lead the best life possible through support
and knowledge. Our growth has been phenomenal with visits to the
Web site at a rate that will far exceed half a million visitors per
year.

Our visitors come from over 150 countries now. In addition, we have
many professionals, who use our site as a resource for information,
as ell as refer others to our site.

We wish to thank each and every member of our COPD community
for actively giving of their time and energy to help make all our
lives better.

RECEIVE COPD NEWS BY MAIL

-- "COPD News" - A monthly newsletter from COPD International
To subscribe, send your name and address to:
COPD-International Association
131 DW Highway #627
Nashua, NH 03060
Attn: COPD News

Subscribe online at http://www.COPDNews.com

-- "COPD DIGEST" - A quarterly magazine from COPD Foundation
To subscribe, send your name and address to:
COPD Digest
P.O. Box 34107
Washington, DC 20078-8513\

Subscribe online at www.COPDdigest.org

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

-- William Woods, Woody as we know him, received his call for
his lung transplant.

-- Ray Price's mother is now in hospice care. Ray is one of
our founders.

-- One of our chat hosts, Peggy, aka "Mouse," had pneumonia
and was discharged to a nursing home. She then was re-admitted
to the hospital and is now in the ICU.

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
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
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> > > > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < <
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MONA LISA LIPS-SYNCH
Tired of that Mona Lisa smile? Change Mona Lisa's expressions at
http://www.cite-sciences.fr/english/ala_cite/expo/explora/image/mona.html#
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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EASY CHICKEN AND PASTA
Prep/Cook Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. Crisco Vegetable Oil
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, cut up
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 1/4 cups water
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves, crushed
2 cups frozen vegetable combination (broccoli, cauliflower,
carrots)
2 cups uncooked corkscrew pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

HEAT oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned,
stirring often.

Set chicken aside.

ADD soup, water, basil and vegetables. Heat to a boil. Add
pasta.

Cook 10 min. over medium heat, stirring often.

ADD chicken. Cook 5 min. or until pasta is done, stirring
often.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Serves 4.
(Campbell's Kitchen)

Note: Instead of frozen vegetables, try a combination of fresh
cut veggies from the produce section or the farmer's market.

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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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"Thanks"

Two years ago a very simple message was sent to the other
COPD-International Association founders (Susie Bowers, Deb Hannigan,
Billie Mahaffey, Ray Price, Cindy Schian and Dorothy Williams) which
read:

"Effective 1:07am EDT (6/26) Our website is Open for visitors......"

From the opening day to this day, it has provided support and
information to visitors from the four corners of the world - in
numbers that far exceeded expectations.

This past year has been a time filled with great rewards -- to see
scared, newly diagnosed COPDers gain the knowledge and confidence to
take back control of their lives. Caregivers, families and friends
have come to learn and to gain the tools and confidence to help. New
meds, improved procedures, and a movement to bring greater awareness
about COPD all provide hope for a better future.

And yes, it has been a year of tears as well -- as we have seen
many people taken from us by COPD and its related conditions. Many
have left a legacy for us in the written words found on our website
and in our library. We shall never forget people like Betty and Ken
Baareman who gave us the Hospice Journey, or Lance Woodard who
detailed his personal story as a lung transplant patient in a day by
day diary. There are countless more as well, -- many we knew who
were active in support, and many others who quietly visited the site
in search of information and support Yes, we are saddened by the
losses of each and every one, but we have truly been blessed as well
to have had whatever time we did have with them all.

The staff, volunteers, list subscribers and yes, even the casual
visitor have not only shared in these sadnesses, and but also
deserve thanks for being a part of the successes here, -- for each,
in his or her own way have contributed, -- helping
COPD-International to provide its services to the COPD community.

"Thanks" seems to be so inadequate,

But thank you one and all

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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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However, links to outside sources cannot be guaranteed after
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© 2002-2004 COPD-International.com, except where otherwise indicated.
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
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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
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