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, February 2, 2004                             Volume #3 -- Issue #5
Susie Bowers, Editor    --    Web-Editor@COPD-International.com
Copyright © 2004  COPD-International.com            All rights reserved.

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      > > > > > > > > > >        IN THIS ISSUE        < < < < < < < < < <
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==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - U.S. FDA Approves Spiriva
==> 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 30
approved Spiriva for U.S. distribution. This is the first
once-a-day inhaled bronchodilator treatment developed specifically
for COPD.

This issue features information on this long-awaited drug. At this
point, details of when the drug will actually be on the U.S. market
are unknown. The next step is a letter of release and labeling. As
more details are known, our community members will receive updates
through e-mails and future newsletters.

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
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           > > > > > > > > >      COPD NEWS      < < < < < < < < <
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BMJ: SERIES EXPLORES SMOKING ADDICTION
Cigarette smoking is the single biggest avoidable cause of death and
disability in developed countries. For most smokers, quitting smoking is
the most important thing they can do to improve their health. This series
explores the reasons why smokers smoke, how to help them to quit and
how to reduce the prevalence of smoking. See Series:
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/328/7433/217

STUDY SHOWS SINGULAIR EASES COPD SYMPTOMS
A recent study at the VA Chicago Health Care System determined the
effects of long-term treatment with montelukast (Singulair) on moderate to
severe COPD. The study showed a significant improvement in complaints
of shortness of breath, sputum production, wheezing and nocturnal symptoms.

There was a significant reduction in the use of oral and inhaled
corticosteroids, inhaled bronchodilators and supplemental oxygen. In
addition, there was a significant reduction in the number of visits
to the emergency department, number of hospitalizations and duration
of hospitalizations for acute exacerbations of COPD. No significant
changes in FEV1 (% predicted), FEV1/FVC ratio (% predicted) and
peak expiratory flow rate were recorded during this time.

No side effects where reported during the observation period and no
patient discontinued the medication. Collectively, these data
suggest that long-term treatment with montelukast is safe and
improves COPD control in elderly patients with moderate to severe
COPD. To learn more about montelukast, go to
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a600014.html

STUDY: NPPV HELPFUL IN TREATING EXACERBATIONS
Data from trials show the benefit of non-invasive positive pressure
ventilation (NPPV) as first line intervention as an adjunct therapy
to usual medical care in all suitable patients for the management of
respiratory failure secondary to an acute exacerbation of COPD. See
Abstract: http://www.update-software.com/abstracts/AB004104.htm

LACK OF ANTIBIOTIC RESEARCH RAISES CONCERNS
With "superbugs" stalking hospitals and old killers such as
tuberculosis re-emerging, the world badly needs more powerful
antibiotics. Yet the pipeline of new treatments is drying up as drug
makers - citing poor financial returns - focus instead on chronic
conditions, such as high cholesterol, where medicines are taken for
years rather than curing patients in one or two weeks. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4207589

KEY PLAYER IN RESPIRATORY MEMORY IDENTIFIED
By studying the "memory" of the respiratory system, a group of
researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified
a key player - a protein called BDNF that's involved in learning -
responsible for the body's ability to keep breathing properly,
despite the challenges it may face. See Story:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031217073608.htm

FDA OKS ZITHROMAX FOR ACUTE SINUSITIS
Pfizer Inc. said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has approved Zithromax as a once-daily, three-day treatment for
acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS). Zithromax is the only antibiotic
approved as a three-day treatment regimen for acute bacterial
sinusitis. Most antibiotics commonly prescribed for ABS require 7 to
14 days of multi-dose therapy. Zithromax has unique attributes,
including high and sustained drug levels in infected tissues that
make a shortened dosing regimen possible.
(Pfizer Press Release)

ASTHMA AND DIET
Is there such a thing as an Asthma diet? Yes and no, food allergies,
carbs versus fats, salt, fluids and energy conservation are factors
we need to look at in terms of asthma. See More:
http://asthma.about.com/cs/support/a/aa120699a.htm

FDA BEGINS CAMPAIGN ON SAFE USE OF OTC PAIN MEDS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a national
education campaign to provide advice on the safe use of
over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief products. The FDA's nationwide
campaign focuses on the OTC pain and fever reducers that contain
acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
which include products such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium
and ketoprofen. News Release:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2004/NEW01008.html

REVIEW: INFECTION CONTROL IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Over the past 20 years there has been a greater interest in
infection control in cystic fibrosis (CF) as patient-to-patient
transmission of pathogens has been increasingly demonstrated in this
unique patient population. The CF Foundation sponsored a consensus
conference to craft recommendations for infection control practices
for CF care providers. See Review: http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/1/57

NEW E-JOURNAL FOCUSES ON CHRONIC DISEASES
Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed electronic
journal established to provide a forum for public health researchers
and practitioners to share study results and practical experience.
The journal, published by the National Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, focuses on chronic disease
prevention. See Journal: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
The Medicare general enrollment period is here. If you did not
enroll in Medicare when you were first eligible, you can sign up
anytime from January to March 2004 and coverage will begin in July
2004. Go to http://www.medicare.gov/ or http://www.ssa.gov/ for more
information.

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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FDA APPROVES SPIRIVA FOR COPD TREATMENT
New York-based Pfizer launched Spiriva in Europe with Boehringer
Ingelheim, a privately held German firm that developed the drug,
nearly three years ago.

Since then the response and interest in this new COPD drug has been
overwhelming. Finally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave
its stamp of approval January 30, 2004 for distribution in the
United States.

Spiriva, a once-daily treatment, has proven more effective in
clinical trials than Boehringer's Atrovent, an inhaled drug given
three times a day that has been the standard of care for COPD for
over a decade. Both medicines help open the airways by blocking
action of the brain messenger chemical acetylcholine.

Thirty-one percent of patients taking Spiriva saw an improvement in
their shortness of breath, compared with 18 percent for Atrovent.
The Spiriva patients cited improved quality of life compared with
the older Boehringer drug. Patients taking Spiriva also had 44
percent fewer hospitalizations than those who had been given a
placebo.

Spiriva has also proved superior in trials to GlaxoSmithKline Plc's
Serevent, a long-acting "beta agonist" drug usually taken for
asthma, but used by many doctors to treat COPD. Beta agonists open
the airways by stimulating receptors to certain types of nerves in
the lungs.

Other current COPD treatments include Novartis AG's Foradil, another
long-acting beta agonist, and albuterol, a short-acting beta agonist
sold by generic drug makers.

The most common side effect of Spiriva was dry mouth, which was
seen in about 16 percent of patients taking it in clinical trials.
(Compiled from various press releases.)

MORE ON SPIRIVA

Initial FDA Report
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Spiriva-update.htm

Exercise Study
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Spiriva-update.htm

One Patient's Experience
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/Spiriva_patients_perspective.htm

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    > > > > > > > > >      NUTRITION/WELLNESS      < < < < < < < < <
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CONQUERING DAILY ACHES, PAINS
Are you destined to hurt just because you've passed a certain age?
Dr. Mary Jurisson, a specialist in physical medicine and
rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., says you're not.
Here she shares some simple tips to help you reduce aches and pains.
See Tips: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ00633&si=2364

STUDY: SLEEPING ON IT HELPS PROBLEM SOLVING
Advice to "sleep on it" could be well founded, scientists said.
After a good night's sleep a problem that seemed insurmountable the
night before can often appear more manageable, although the evidence
until now has been anecdotal. But researchers at the University of
Luebek in Germany have designed an experiment that shows a good
night's sleep can improve insight and problem solving. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4178718
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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

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/

-- Roger Lindberg is back in the hospital for radiation treatments
to get the cancer that is superficial along the area of his
bronchial tree. To leave get-well wishes go to the link above.

-- Lisa-PA's father, William F. Mack, is breathing easy. He passed
away peacefully January 26 surrounded by his family. Lisa is a
regular in our caregiver chat. There is a memorial/condolence page
for her at http://members.tripod.com/~copd_tlc/Lisa-PA.html

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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SAY WHAT?
Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number
of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him
fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear
100%.

The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the
doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really
pleased you can hear again."

To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I
just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my
will five times!"
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         > > > > > > > > > >      RECIPE      < < < < < < < < < <
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TABBOULEH SALAD
This is a healthier version of a traditional cracked-wheat salad
that has been modified by the Mayo Clinic nutrition staff.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
1 cup diced, seeded tomatoes
1 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped scallions or green onions
1 teaspoon dill weed
4 sliced black olives
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
lettuce leaves (garnish)

Put bulgur into a strainer and run cold water over it. Transfer it
to a bowl, cover it with cold water to a depth of one inch above the
top of the wheat.

Let it stand 15 to 30 minutes. Drain the bulgur in a strainer lined
with cheesecloth. Gather the cheesecloth and squeeze to extract most
of the water.

Put the bulgur into a serving bowl and add all of the remaining
ingredients (except lettuce). Toss to blend thoroughly. Garnish the
serving bowl with lettuce leaves.

Note: May also be cooked. Rather than soaking in water, heat the
water and bulgur together for 15 minutes, then add the remaining
ingredients.

Yield: 8 servings
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       > > > > > > > > >      CLOSING THOUGHT      < < < < < < < < <
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                             Our life is what our thoughts make it.

                                   -- Marcus Aurelius Antonius --
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Thank You For Your Readership
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