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, December 27, 2004 Volume #3 -- Issue #52
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 - Back to COPD Basics
==> 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
As we approach the New Year, it is a good time to take stock of
where we are in terms of managing and treating our disease.
Management strategies include smoking cessation, exercise,
support and a good attitude. Treatments include the medications
prescribed by our pulmonary doctors.
This issue features general information on what we can do to help
ease our COPD symptoms in order to lead a more productive life.
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
A Happy, Healthy New Year To All!
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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NEW STUDY: COPD DRUGS MAY WEAKEN BONES
Long-term use of drugs commonly used to treat asthma and
emphysema may lead to the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis.
Researchers found that after three years of using inhaled steroids,
emphysema patients had a significant loss in bone density. The
results may add fuel to an already controversial matter. Previous
studies examining the link between inhaled steroids and bone density
loss have offered conflicting results. Some studies have shown
little to no bone loss after years of use. But others have shown
that long-term use of inhaled steroids can weaken bones and possibly
increase the chance of breaking a bone. Examples of inhaled steroids
include:
-- Advair
-- Aerobid
-- Azmacort
-- Flovent
-- Pulmicort
See Story:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/98/104821.htm
ABSTRACT: IMPACT OF EXERCISE ON END-STAGE COPD
The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional impact of
an individualized outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program in
end-stage COPD. The conclusion was that individualized outpatient
pulmonary rehabilitation in end-stage COPD can produce a measurable
improvement in spirometry and exercise tolerance with a favorable
impact on the level of physical activity. See Abstract:
http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=
art&artType=abs&id=as0147956304001505&nav=abs
COPD STUDY ON ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FLU VACCINE
A study concluded that the influenza vaccination is associated with
minimal local adverse reactions in patients with COPD. Vaccination
does not cause systemic adverse reactions, induce clinical
exacerbations or adversely affect lung function, dyspnoeic symptoms
and exercise capacity in patients with COPD, regardless of the
severity of airflow obstruction.
(Blackwell Publishing)
STUDY: EARLY INHALED STEROID TREATMENT
Family physicians treat a substantial number of patients with COPD
and are encouraged to start treatment at as early a stage as is
possible. This study analyzed the effectiveness of early inhaled
corticosteroid treatment on the decline of pulmonary function in
COPD patients. The study concluded that there are no indications
that early treatment with inhaled corticosteroids modifies a rapid
decline in lung function or respiratory symptoms. See Abstract:
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/126/6/1815
ASTHMA SEVERITY: HOW DOES IT AFFECT TREATMENT?
Asthma always causes lung inflammation and airway constriction, but
its severity can vary dramatically. If you're mildly sensitive to
allergy triggers, such as pollen, mold or pet dander, or to
irritants such as cigarette smoke, perfume or air pollution, your
airways may become only slightly inflamed and tight, resulting in
occasional bouts of wheezing, coughing or breathlessness. If you're
extremely sensitive, however, the resulting inflammation and muscle
tightening may permanently narrow your air passages, which can cause
continuous wheezing and frequent asthma attacks. To help determine
the best way to treat your asthma, your doctor may rate it according
to severity. The asthma rating system doctors generally use includes
four levels: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent
and severe persistent. The higher the severity level of your asthma,
the more aggressively your doctor will treat it. See More:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=1595FEDA-E534-4CC3-9B3C7C1F84716
B0B&si=2691
REGULAR USE OF ICSs IMPROVE ASTHMA SYMPTOMS
Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) can improve asthma
symptoms and prevent exacerbations. However, overall adherence
is poor among patients with asthma. This study concluded that an
adherence to ICS is poor among adult patients with asthma and is
correlated with several poor asthma-related outcomes. Less than
perfect adherence to ICS appears to account for the majority of
asthma-related hospitalizations. See Abstract:
http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=
art&artType=abs&id=as0091674904024832&nav=abs
ASTHMA SHOULDN'T SPOIL WINTER FUN
Falling temperatures can present a daunting challenge to even
die-hard exercise enthusiasts, and they pose a special risk for
people with asthma because cold air can trigger bronchial spasms.
But a few simple steps can help ease that risk, allowing asthmatics
the freedom to run, ski or skate from December straight through
March, experts say. See Tips:
http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/522593/main.html
U.S. EXPANDS FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS
U.S. officials who just weeks ago worried that the nation's flu shot
supply would run short said recently they are expanding the group
of people who should get the vaccine so that doses do not go to
waste. Anyone over age 50, or people in close contact with those
at high risk of flu complications, should be added to priority
groups starting Jan. 3 in areas with enough vaccines, a Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee said. Until
then, priority should continue to be given to people age 65 and
older, under age 2, pregnant or with chronic health conditions. See
Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7129637§ion=news
MANY SMOKERS STILL CONFUSED ABOUT RISKS
The great majority of smokers think they are well informed about the
health risks of their habit, but many of them are wrong, a new U.S.
survey suggests. Researchers found that although 94 percent of the
1,046 adult smokers they surveyed believed they were adequately
informed about the dangers of smoking, many either didn't know the
answer or answered incorrectly when asked specific questions about
those health risks. The survey also found a high degree of confusion
when it came to "low-tar" and "light" cigarettes - products that
have been heavily criticized because of the implication that they
are "safer," even though research has not shown them to lower
smoking-related disease risk. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7126307§ion=news
NEW STUDY: SMOKING SLOWS HEALING
A new study outlines the way that cigarette smoke may delay the
formation of healing tissue on wounds. Previous research
demonstrated that cigarette smoke slows wound healing and increases
the risk of scarring. In this new study, researchers at the
University of California used mice and human cell cultures to
examine the effect of cigarette smoke on fibroblasts - cells that
migrate to wounds to create healing tissue. Fibroblasts play a vital
role in tissue repair and remodeling. The study found that while
cigarette smoke doesn't kill fibroblasts, it damages them and
impairs their ability to move into the wound area. Instead, the
fibroblasts build up on the margins of the wound. See Story:
http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=522752
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.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
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> > > > > > > > >
FEATURED ARTICLES < < < < < < <
< <
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BACK TO THE COPD BASICS
The start of the New Year is a good time to review our health in
terms of living with a chronic illness. For those of us with COPD,
we need to remind ourselves of the two most importance things we can
do to slow the progression of our disease - quitting smoking and
regular exercise.
Next in importance is taking our medications as prescribed by our
doctors. And last, but not least, is staying connected with others
through support groups, where we can exchange valuable firsthand
information about our disease and where we can gain a better
attitude and sense of well-being.
LEARNING TO MANAGE COPD
For those of you who are newly diagnosed, COPD can feel like a
death sentence. But, there is definitely more to life once we
realize that COPD is not a death sentence and that there is much we
can do to improve our health.
Even for those of us who have been living with the disease for
years, waves of frustration, uncertainty and anxiety can sweep us
off our feet. Below are links to tools and information to help us
take control and stay in control of our disease in order to live the
best life possible.
FOR STARTERS - THE "COPD SURVIVAL GUIDE"
This link leads to the late COPD Advocate Bill Horden's works, a
pioneer of online support for COPD. If you have not read his "COPD
Survival Guide," please do so. It will put you on the right path in
coping with your disease.
http://www.copd-international.com/COPDAdvocate/copdsurvival.html
NO BUTTS ABOUT IT! QUIT SMOKING NOW (QSN)
Smoking cessation is also one of the most important single steps you
can take to improve your health. If you wish to stop smoking, go to
http://www.copd-international.com/quit_smoking/ and learn about our
interactive QSN Program.
EXERCISE - USE IT, OR LOSE IT
Exercise and staying active are an important part of rehabilitation
for chronic lung disease. You may believe that people with chronic
lung disease are too short of breath to exercise. This is a myth.
The truth is that regular exercise can help you feel less short of
breath. To learn more about the importance of exercise, please go to
http://www.copd-international.com/exercise/
MEDICATIONS - IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL THING
Medications cannot cure COPD, but they can help relieve such
symptoms as breathlessness, cough, mucus and fatigue. When your
symptoms are under control, you'll feel better. COPD has many
different components; therefore, we all react differently to drugs.
Below is a link to various treatments that you can discuss with your
doctor. With your doctor's guidance, you can find a regiment that
fits your particular needs. See
Medications:
http://www.lung.ca/breathworks/E02.html
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NUTRITION/WELLNESS < < < < < < <
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EXPERTS: DON'T HIT GYM TOO MUCH TOO SOON
Making a resolution to hit the gym more often is a great way to ring
in the New Year - but don't overdo it, advises the professional
society for U.K. managers of sports and fitness centers. Gyms
typically enroll many new members in January, motivated by
end-of-the-year resolutions and rich holiday meals. As a result,
people are more than ever likely to "binge-exercise" and work out
too strenuously. This will not instantly melt away all of the damage
done over the holidays, and it can put people at risk of muscle and
bone injuries, according to the Institute of Sport and Recreation
Management (ISRM). Ralph Riley, Chief Executive of the ISRM, told
Reuters Health that people should not do too much too soon. "The
introduction to exercise should be gradual," he said. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7105487§ion
=news
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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
RECEIVE COPD NEWS BY MAIL
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Subscribe online at http://www.COPDNews.com
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/
-- Fran LeMay is in the hospital. She was admitted with double
pneumonia and septicemia.
-- Host Jed (Jim Douglas) is hospitalized with a lung
infection. Jed was already there for lung transplant
evaluation, but has been experiencing shortness of breath. He
has asked for no e-mails, and no phone calls at the present
time, as he is very tired.
-- C.J. Tolini is in the hospital with severe bronchial spasms.
-- Sue Tilston's mother, Irene Springman, has been
hospitalized. She fractured her hip in a fall last week. Sue
is her mom's caretaker.
-- Kitty, our caregiver's forum host, is scheduled for surgery
today (Monday 11/27)
DAILY CHATS
Scheduled chats with hosts are held daily. We invite everyone to
stop in and visit. (Note: New Caregivers Chat on Saturdays.)
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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CELEBRITY NAME GAME
More often than you might realize, famous people have traded in
their given names for more memorable and stylish monikers. Think
you have a handle on the real names of the following people?
Test your savvy by answering the questions at
http://encarta.msn.com/quiz_69/Celebrity_Name_Game.html
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RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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EASY CARAMELIZED ONION PORK CHOPS
Five minutes of preparation, and then you can relax while the chops
and onions simmer on the stove. Great with parsley potatoes!
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 (4 ounce) pork loin chops, 1/2 inch thick
3 teaspoons seasoning salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 onion, cut into strips
1 cup water
Directions
1. Rub chops with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt and 1 teaspoon
pepper, or to taste.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown pork chops on
each side. Add the onions and water to the pan. Cover, reduce
heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Turn chops over, and add remaining salt and pepper. Cover,
and cook until water evaporates and onions turn light to medium
brown. Remove chops from pan, and serve with onions on top.
(Allrecipes)
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CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < <
<
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Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850
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Thank You For Your Readership
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