COPD News from COPD-International -- Vol #3

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 16, 2004                             Volume #3 -- Issue #7
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 - Medicare/Prescriptions
==> 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 new prescription benefit plan for those on Medicare is expected
to begin in June. The information being released at this point is
general in nature - and, a bit confusing.

This issue offers links to various sources for information on this
new U.S. drug benefit program. Like many new government programs,
there seems to be more questions right now than answers.

This information is intended to give us all some background
information, so when the time comes we can make the right choices
that best meet our individual needs.

As more updated and easier to understand information is released, I
will include the updates in 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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COPD: SIMPLE STEPS CAN KEEP AIR FLOWING
Perhaps the most frightening symptom one can experience is being
unable to inhale enough air to perform even the simplest activities,
like walking from the bedroom to the bathroom or even talking. But
that is the ultimate fate of millions of Americans with COPD. See
Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/10/health/10BROD.html

Editor's Note: The article above is available free of charge
for online subscribers. To access the article you need only
fill out a short user form.

HELPING COPDERS COPE WITH DEPRESSION
Consider a few of the issues respiratory therapists see everyday
like asthma and COPD. As difficult as they are to treat, beyond
these illnesses are the people who must cope with them. Patients.
They are the ones who do battle with their ailments every morning
and night. As they struggle to breathe, it becomes an assault on the
mind as well as the body. Often depression can drag down even the
strongest will. See More: http://www.advanceforrcp.com/common/Editorial/Editorial.
aspx?CC=28520

ORAL CANCER: THE UNSPOKEN KILLER
Oral cancer is an insidious and devastating malignancy. In the
United States, it kills one person every hour, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, 365 days a year. Those who are diagnosed and treated
have less than a 50 percent chance of surviving five years. Outside
the United States the statistics are worse.

The sad thing is that these statistics have not changed in years.
One of the reasons why oral cancer is so deadly is that oral
squamous carcinoma is notorious for its clinical variability - it
takes many forms. Most lesions in the mouth are not cancerous, such
as sores from biting or burning your mouth, improperly fitting
dentures or appliances, atypical herpes lesions, even the common
aphthous ulcer (canker sore). However, new research suggests that
any lesion that has been present for longer than 21 days needs
to be examined. See Story: http://www.flatoday.com/sections/healthmedicine/0209
oral.htm

SMOKING, ASTHMA BAD MIX
Tobacco smoke is an exceptionally aggravating trigger that can
worsen asthma symptoms for those who suffer from asthma and/or COPD.
Quitting smoking should be a priority for people who have COPD, or
have family members with COPD, according to the American Academy
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). For people suffering with
a lung disease, smoking is the worst thing they can do. See Story:
http://allergies.about.com/cs/asthma/a/blaaaai020204.htm

KICK BUTTS DAY FOR KIDS
Kids worldwide are preparing for a tough fight.

Their opponent? Tobacco!

On March 31, thousands of kids will be participating in the
ninth annual Kick Butts Day, holding events and activities, from
rallies to mock trials and convenience store surveillance. See More:
http://www.lungusa.org/press/tobacco/tobacco_012804.html

LUNG CANCER RISK MAY BE HIGHER IN FEMALES
Female smokers may be more likely to develop lung cancer than men
who smoke a similar amount, a new study suggests. The investigators
found that of nearly 2,500 men and women age 40 and older screened
for lung cancer, women had more than twice the risk of being
diagnosed with the disease. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=4293674

DRUG RESISTANCE TB POSES GLOBAL THREAT
Drug resistance is the end result of poor tuberculosis (TB) control.
The implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course
(DOTS) strategy has led to dramatic reductions in mortality and has
curtailed the development of drug resistance. However, it's feared
that the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
(MDR-TB) could threaten the global gains made in TB control in the
last decade. See Story:
http://www.advanceformrc.com/common/Editorial/Editorial.aspx?CC=29073

BRITTLE ASTHMA
Brittle asthma is a term used by doctors to describe types of asthma
which are particularly difficult to manage. The occurrence of
brittle asthma is rare, about one in 2,000 asthmatics.
Turner-Warwick first used the term 'brittle asthma' to describe
patients with chaotic peak flow readings. Brittle asthma is also
commonly associated with death from asthma attacks. See More:
http://asthma.about.com/library/weekly/aa071701a.htm

EXERCISE REPORT FROM COLORADO HEALTH SITE
This report describes the effect of exercise on body weight, body
composition and central obesity. In this study, the authors sought
to determine the amount of regular exercise needed to maintain body
weight in adults. This study shows that 30 minutes of walking a day
can help us maintain our weight and even lose weight without
changing our diet. See Details:
http://www.coloradohealthsite.org/CHNReports/exercise_weightloss.html

WOMEN'S HEART GUIDELINES STRESS ACTION
The American Heart Association released new guidelines for
preventing and treating heart disease in women and said most women
still did not realize heart disease was more likely to kill them
than anything else.

The new guidelines stress lifestyle as the first line of attack -
stopping smoking, losing weight, exercising every day and eating a
healthy diet. But they also call for aggressive use of drugs to
lower cholesterol and blood pressure in high-risk women. See
Guidelines: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000

HOSPITALS NO PLACE TO GET REST - HEY! WE KNEW THAT!
Patients who have complained they cannot get any rest in noisy
hospitals were vindicated with a report confirming that the racket
on hospital wards can be as loud as a rock concert. Nurses who
volunteered to sleep in hospital rooms found out that rest can be
almost impossible - especially during staff shift changes. See
Story: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&story
ID=4285572

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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WARNING ON INDIA ONLINE PHARMACY
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Johnson & Johnson
Co. are warning the public about an overseas Internet site selling
counterfeit contraceptive patches that contain no active ingredients
and therefore no protection. The Internet site apparently was
operated by American Style Products of New Delhi, India, and has
since been shut down by American Internet service providers. The
site also sold other products purported to be versions of
FDA-approved drugs. See FDA Warning:
http://www.safetyalerts.com/articles/04/contra.htm

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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MEDICARE DRUG CARDS MAY CONFUSE MANY
Consumer advocates are warning that millions of elderly Americans
will face a bewildering array of new government-approved drug
discount cards this spring. The cards will be available to 10
million Medicare beneficiaries who do not have drug coverage, as a
precursor to the prescription drug benefit scheduled to begin in
2006. Below are links to information on the benefits.

MEDICARE SITE ON DISCOUNT DRUGS
http://www.cms.gov/discountdrugs/overview.asp

AARP: MEDICARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
http://www.aarp.org/prescriptiondrugs/

MEDICAL RIGHTS CENTER
http://www.medicarerights.org/rx76questionsframeset.html
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> > > > > > > > >         NUTRITION/WELLNESS         < < < < < < < <
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"SUPER FOODS" EVERYONE NEEDS
Experts say more than a dozen easy-to-find "super foods" can do
wonders for your health. The humble walnut, along with a dozen
other dietary choices - from beans to yogurt - is no less than a
"super food," say some health experts. With rare exceptions, you
don't need 20 different preventive modalities - just one really good
diet, researchers day. See More:
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/81/96952.htm

TIPS TO AVOID FALLS
Here are some tips from the Medicare Rights Center (MRC) to help
you avoid falls.

-- Strengthen your Step: Walking and water exercises are great for
building and maintaining strong muscle coordination, are gentle on
the joints and can be fun to do with friends!

-- Build up your Balance: It's never too late to improve your
balance. Simple exercises, like standing on one foot, will help.
Click here for other easy exercises. You can also start learning tai
chi, an ancient Chinese martial art consisting of slow, continuous
movement, which promotes good balance and relaxation. Tai chi has
become very popular among seniors and if you can't find a class in
your neighborhood, you can always try a home video.

-- Make your home safe: Does your home have loose wires, throw rugs,
high shelves or slippery floors? These common household hazards can
make you slip, trip, lose your balance and fall. Be sure to tape
down any wires, fasten your rugs, use a step stool to reach those
high shelves and wear rubber-soled shoes.

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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, a rchives of back
issues of the newsletter can be accessed at
http://www.copd-international.com/Library/newsletters/archives.htm

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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DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT
Peter called his doctor's office for an appointment. "I'm sorry,"
said the receptionist, "we can't fit you in for at least two weeks."

"But I could be dead by then!"

"No problem. If your wife lets us know, we'll cancel the appointment."
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> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
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GOURMET SWEET POTATO CLASSIC
Once you taste this, you won't ever go back to the
marshmallow-topped variety! You can peel and cook the sweet potatoes
in the microwave or boil. They taste the same no matter how you cook
them. So, use the technique that works best for you.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 25 Minutes

Ingredients

5 sweet potatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a
9x13 inch-baking dish.

2. Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until
they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel and mash.

3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4-cup
butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar and heavy cream.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

4. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4-cup butter, flour, brown sugar and
chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the
consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.

5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and
lightly browned. Makes 8 servings.

(Allrecipes)
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> > > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
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Don't get your knickers in a knot.

              Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

                                 -- Kathryn Carpenter --

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