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, July 5, 2004
Volume #3 -- Issue #27
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 - Intra-Bronchial Value (IBV) Trials
==> 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
A study is currently under way for severe emphysema patients. The
study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the
Intra-Bronchial Valve (IBV), a device designed to limit airflow to a
select portion of the lung, which may improve pulmonary function.
This issue features a link to Spiration Inc., a developer and
manufacturer of medical devices for the treatment of lung disease.
Spiration developed the IBV and another product VALR Surgical
System, which is designed to minimize tissue trauma, air leaks and
bleeding - common complications associated with lung surgery.
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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SMOKERS, DRINKERS SHOW GENE CHANGE IN MOUTH
Many healthy people who smoke or drink may have a genetic alteration
in the cells of the mouth and throat that could signal an increased
risk of developing cancer, according to researchers at the
University of Hong Kong. The genetic alteration affects the p15
gene, which is involved in the process that normally kills off cells
when they go haywire. In many cancers, the p15 gene is methylated,
meaning that it is turned off and is unable to perform its "tumor
suppressor" function. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5567489
BUTT OUT: QUIT SMOKING
Here is some advice for those who are trying to quit. As cigarette
prices soar and the media downplays smoking's sex appeal, will
Americans break free from nicotine once and for all? Addiction
expert Timothy Baker says the key is persistence. See More:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/htdocs/prod/PTOArticle/PTO-20030516-000001.asp
TREATMENT OF ASTHMA WITH IV NUTRIENTS
In this non-blinded outcome study, short and long term treatment
of asthma with intravenous nutrients treatment with multiple
nutrients, including magnesium, for acute and chronic asthma showed
considerable benefit. Pulmonary function improved progressively the
longer patients received treatment. See More:
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/6
PATIENT PRIVACY OFTEN COMPROMISED
Breaches of patient confidentiality, many of them inadvertent, are
widespread, according to a report in the spring issue of Health
Communication. "Physicians must realize that their routine
activities can often compromise patients' care," co-author Dr. Maria
Brann from West Virginia University, Morgantown, said. "Depending on
who gains access to this information, patients may lose their jobs,
their reputation may be jeopardized, or they may stop seeking care
because of the disclosure, which may affect their physical and
mental health." See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5519346§ion=news
U.S. PREPARES 100 MILLION DOSES OF FLU SHOTS
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. government announced
that vaccine makers will prepare 100 million doses of the flu
vaccine for this winter. The article says that this amount does not
include the 4.5 million doses of the vaccine that the Centers for
Disease and Prevention (CDC) plans to keep in reserve for children.
According to the article, there were 86.9 million doses available in
the 2003-2004 season as compared with 95 million in 2002. Last year,
the article reports, the two producers of flu shots shipped their
entire supplies by December. Subsequently, clinics around the
country ran out of the injected vaccine. The article says that last
season's flu shot shortages are likely to compel people to get
vaccinated this year and new flu shot recommendations, such as
having children 6 months to 23 months old get the shot, should
prevent an oversupply.
POOL CHLORINE AND BREATHING
Even athletes with no history of ailment show signs of breathing
trouble after swimming in chlorinated water. Chlorine in pools leads
to breathing trouble in trained swimmers, regardless of past history
of such problems, and the likelihood increases with the amount of
chlorine used in the water, according to a study presented at the
51st Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM). See Story:
http://swimming.about.com/od/allergyandasthma/a/chlorine
_breath.htm
STUDY: NEW NASAL VACCINE FOR SARS
The New York Times reported on a recent study, published in The
Lancet, which found that an experimental nasal vaccine for SARS
has proven effective in tests on monkeys, suggesting that a vaccine
for humans might be best administered through the nose. The article
provides further details about the study and quotes one of the
researchers as saying, "It seems we can fairly readily get a very
strong immune response (to the SARS virus). I think a SARS
vaccine will be achieved in the very near future."
(American Lung Association)
ANESTHESIA: KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
You're going to have an operation that will require general
anesthesia. Truth be told, being "put under" may frighten you more
than the surgery itself. Fear of the unknown is understandable. But
newer and safer drugs, along with major advances in monitoring
equipment, make today's anesthesia safer than ever before. Learn
more about the types of anesthesia available and what you can expect
at
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=B089F51D-229E-4902-AA74681EF
939D94C&si=2565
MEDICARE TO SELECT DRUG COVERAGE RECIPIENTS
A lottery will select 50,000 eligible Medicare recipients to receive
early drug coverage. It is estimated that between 500,000 and
600,000 Medicare recipients who do not have prescription drug
coverage are eligible for the lottery. See Details:
http://arthritis.about.com/od/medicare/a/
lotterymedidrug.htm
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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INTRA-BRONCHIAL VALUE UNDERGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
The Intra-Bronchial Valve (IBV) is a minimally invasive device
designed to improve lung function in patients with emphysema. The
IBV is a small umbrella-shaped valve placed in the bronchial tree
using standard bronchoscopic techniques to seal targeted airways.
The one-way valves are designed to prevent air from entering
isolated sections of the lung while allowing the normal clearance
mechanism of mucus to occur. By limiting ventilation in part of the
diseased lungs, the remaining healthier portions of lung may
function with better efficiency.
The valve's design allows it to be easily delivered and implanted
and, if necessary, repositioned or removed using standard
bronchoscopic tools. This minimally invasive therapy represents a
valuable treatment option for emphysema patients. The IBV system is
presently undergoing clinical evaluation. See study information and
pictures at
http://spirationinc.com/clinical_trials.html
LUNG VALVE PROCEDURE HOLDS PROMISE
Barbara Hasenzahl has had an experimental emphysema procedure
at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Hasenzahl
was the first person in the Southeast and eighth in the nation to be
fitted with a one-way lung valve that, less than a week later,
allows her to breathe with ease. See Story:
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/8735713.htm
VALR SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR LVRS
The VALR Surgical System is designed for use in thoracic surgical
procedures to capture and seal lung tissue prior to resection. The
device has been studied clinically in lung volume reduction surgery
(LVRS) in patients with COPD and emphysema, and is designed to
reduce post-operative complications associated with prolonged air
leaks. See More:
http://spirationinc.com/products_valr.html
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NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < <
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ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO SUN?
Although die-hard sun worshipers continue to oil up to better catch
the sun's tanning rays, most Americans choose to slather on
sunscreen instead. Sunscreen can help protect them from most of the
harmful effects of ultraviolet light, but it will do little for
certain sensitive individuals. These would-be sun seekers wind up
with an itchy, bumpy rash that is sometimes called "sun poisoning"
even if they're wearing SPF 50. See Story:
http://www.healthology.com/focus_article.asp?f=skinhealth&c=sun_allergy&spg=NWL
&b=healthology
STAY COOL IN HOT WEATHER
Summer sun means summer fun - and sometimes summer hazards.
As the day progresses, your body notices the heat, and if you don't
watch out, you could come down with heat cramps, heat exhaustion
or heatstroke. Under normal conditions, your body's natural control
mechanisms - skin, vascular system and perspiration - adjust to the
heat. But those systems could fail if you're exposed to high
temperatures for prolonged periods. See tips for beating the heat
and symptoms of heat-related illness at
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=ECAFE3E7-C215-41DA-9F75A208739
8E84C&si=2565
Editor's note: Some medications can make our bodies heat- and
sun-sensitive. Medications are usually marked with a warning,
but if you are uncertain, check with your pharmacist.
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> > > > > > > > > > > COMMUNITY
UPDATE < < < < < < < < < <
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We look forward to seeing you!
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> > > > > > > > > > LINK
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> > > > > > > > > >
JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < < <
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CREATE YOUR OWN FIREWORKS!
http://www.njagyouth.org/Liberty_.htm
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> > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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ZESTY BARBECUED BEEF
This zesty dish is very easy to make. Spoon meat onto toasted
sandwich buns, and top with additional barbecue sauce.Yields 12
servings.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Hours
Ready In: 10 Hours 20 Minutes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (4 pound) boneless chuck roast
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, red wine
vinegar, Dijon-style mustard, Worcestershire sauce and liquid
smoke. Stir in salt, pepper and garlic powder.
2. Place chuck roast in a slow cooker. Pour ketchup mixture
over chuck roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
3. Remove chuck roast from slow cooker, shred with a fork, and
return to the slow cooker. Stir meat to evenly coat with sauce.
Continue cooking approximately 1 hour. Makes 12 servings.
(Allrecipes)
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CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < <
<
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Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear,
but around in awareness.-- James Thurber--
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