COPD News from COPD-International -- Vol #4

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 7, 2005                               Volume #4 -- Issue #6
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.
_______________________________________________________________

      > > > > > > > > > >        IN THIS ISSUE        < < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

==> Welcome
==> COPD News
==> Recalls/Warnings
==> Featured Articles - Chronic Bronchitis
==> Nutrition/Wellness
==> Community Update
==> Link Directory
==> Just for Fun
==> Recipe
==> Closing Thought
==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
________________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > > WELCOME < < < < < < < < <
________________________________________________________________

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
Chronic bronchitis is one of the three lung diseases that comes
under the umbrella term of COPD. Emphysema and chronic asthma are
also included. This issues features information on the chronic
bronchitis component.

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.

________________________________________________________________

        > > > > > > > > >         COPD NEWS         < < < < < < < < <
________________________________________________________________
TRANSPLANT: SENSE OF WELL-BEING MAINTAINED
The psychological well-being of patients after lung transplantation
is not significantly different from that in the general population,
results of a small study suggest. However, increased psychological
distress was found in a subgroup of transplant patients. Dr. Lutz
Goetzmann and colleagues from University Hospital Zurich examined
the psychological state of patients who had undergone lung
transplantation, and compared it with data obtained from the average
population. In addition, they assessed correlations between
psychological and physical parameters. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7502150

STEROID PUFFS DON'T UP FRACTURE RISK
In the short term, the risk of nonvertebral fracture is not
increased in older adults with asthma or COPD who use inhaled
corticosteroids (ICS), a study shows. "Concern about nonvertebral
fracture risk should not strongly influence the decision to use
recommended doses of ICS for adults patients with asthma or COPD,"
study authors write in the journal Chest. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7471385

OBESITY, ASTHMA - IS THERE A LINK?
There has been a documented increase of asthma worldwide during
the last 40 years. Obesity has been identified as a potential risk
factor for asthma, but the results from different studies are not
consistent. Further, from a cross-sectional study design it is
difficult to know what is the hen and what is the egg. Subjects with
asthma may be obese because of limitations in physical activity due
to asthma. See Story:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=19289

CDC: GO AHEAD AND WIDEN FLU SHOTS
Fearing that a flu vaccine shortage may turn into a glut, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said more people
should get shots so the vaccines don't go to waste. Many regions
have reported flu vaccine is going unclaimed. Agency officials fear
if doses of vaccine go unused, more people will catch the flu and
manufacturers will be reluctant to make more doses for next year.
"What we are going to encourage the states to do is to continue to
focus their efforts on making sure that we get the high-priority
individuals vaccinated," a CDC spokesman said. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7441801&
section=news

HELIOS MARATHON PORTABLE OXYGEN UNIT
Puritan Bennett announced availability of the Puritan Bennett HELiOS
Marathon (H850) Portable Oxygen Unit, a product line extension
of the popular HELiOS Personal Oxygen System. The HELiOS Marathon
is the first HELiOS portable liquid oxygen unit to provide patients
with a range of continuous flow settings as well as the option to
operate in "demand flow" mode, which conserves oxygen during
exhalation. Now oxygen therapy patients, who may not have
previously qualified for the HELiOS system due to the need for
higher oxygen levels provided by continuous flow, can enjoy new
levels of comfort, convenience and mobility with the HELiOS Marathon
unit. See Press Release: http://press.arrivenet.com/bus/article.php/573091.html

HOME MONITORING SYSTEM TRIALS TO BEGIN
ALR Technologies Inc. announced the new home monitoring product
they began developing in mid-2004 is now completed and product
trials will soon begin. The ALRT Home Neb Monitoring system can
allow physicians or other health care providers to monitor patients'
use of nebulizers in the administration of medications for treatment
of conditions, such as COPD, asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.
See More: ttp://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=79762

FIGHTING FOR BREATH: PULMONARY FIBROSIS
Matt Kamasz has been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
This is a story about his diagnosis, treatment and decision to
undergo lung transplantation. See Story:
http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=15511

STUDY: SMOKING HARMS WOMEN MORE THAN MEN
Cigarette smoking is more harmful to women than to men, cutting
more than a decade off female smokers' life expectancy, but much
less for their male peers, Dutch government research suggested.
Statistics agency CBS said a comparison of the numbers of Dutch
who died of lung cancer in 2003 and smoking trends showed the
habit cut a Dutch woman's life expectancy by 11 years, versus
three for a man. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7485838

CIGARS, CHEW AS BAD AS CIGARETTES
People shouldn't be fooled by the sophisticated advertising for
cigars. If they are knowledgeable about the effects of cigar smoking
they won't buy the hype. Here are some facts from the American
Lung Association (ALA) to consider. Cigars are not required to
carry the same health warnings on the packs as cigarettes and chew
tobacco yet a cigar can have considerably more nicotine and tar than
a cigarette and produce about 30 times more carbon monoxide.
See More Facts:
http://www.ashlandwi.com/placed/index.php?sect_rank=5&story_id=188191

PANEL: SCREEN MALE SMOKERS FOR ANEURYSM
Former or current male smokers between 65 and 75 years old
should receive an ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysm, recommends the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm, which kills more than 9,000 Americans
each year, is an abnormal ballooning within the abdomen of the
aorta, the major artery that runs from the heart. Experts estimate
that between 59 percent to 83 percent of patients experiencing this
type of aneurysm die before reaching the hospital. The task force
noted that close to 70 percent of men between 65 and 75 years of
age have been smokers at some point in their lives and would benefit
from an ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is
the first time the task force has made such a recommendation, which
appears in the Feb.1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
See Story: http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=523717

STUDY: DAMP HOUSING, RESPIRATORY HEALTH
This study raises the possibility that women may be more susceptible
to the effects of damp housing than men are. See Abstract:
http://www.mdlinx.com/PulmonologyLinx/thearts.cfm?artid=1140199&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
_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > >         RECALLS / WARNINGS         < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

RECALLS
To view current U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls, go to
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > >         FEATURED ARTICLES         < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________

ALA INFORMATION ON CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
The bronchi are air passages connecting the windpipe (trachea)
with the sacs of the lung (alveoli) where oxygen is taken up by
the blood. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi causing
excessive mucous production and swelling of the bronchial walls.

Many people suffer a brief attack of acute bronchitis with fever,
coughing and spitting when they have a severe cold. Chronic
bronchitis, however, is the term applied when this coughing and
spitting continue for months and return each year, generally lasting
slightly longer each time. Undue breathlessness on exertion is
eventually noticed, due to obstruction to air flow in the air
passages caused by swelling of the bronchial wall and the presence
of mucus that cannot be cleared. See More:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35019

MORE ON CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
http://www.copd-international.com/bronchitis.htm
______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > >         NUTRITION/WELLNESS         < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________

TEST YOUR HOME FOR RADON
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that is the second leading cause
of lung cancer. A simple test can tell you if you have elevated
radon levels in your home. Do-it-yourself short-term (3-7 day) radon
test kits are sold at hardware stores and some departments of health
and are also available from the National Safety Council at
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/radon/coupon.htm. Most are less than $15
and include laboratory analysis with the upfront cost. Testing your
home is simple, but it is important to closely follow the
manufacturer's instructions. Your test results will be sent to you
after you mail in your sample and the lab processes your kit.

The EPA has important information on how to test and fix your home
if you have elevated levels of radon at http://www.epa.gov/radon/.
If you are building a house, you can make your home less likely to
have dangerous radon levels from the start. American Lung
Association Health House guidelines recommend using EPA's guidance
to build radon resistant houses, at http://www.epa.gov/radon/construc.html
(American Lung Association)

TEN TIPS TO PREVENT COLDS, FLU
Coughs, colds and the flu are common during winter. With more
of us spending time indoors, it's easier for germs to spread. So, to
avoid becoming another statistic, keep in mind the following tips to
preventing the spread of illness. See Tips:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuryprevention/a/aa010702a.htm
______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > > >         COMMUNITY UPDATE         < < < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________

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

"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

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!
______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > > > > LINK DIRECTORY < < < < < < < < < < < <
______________________________________________________________

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
_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > JUST FOR FUN < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

CITY NICKNAMES
Cities - like people - can become known by a nickname or two.
Sometimes the origins of the nicknames are clear; sometimes
they've been long forgotten. See if you know the nicknames for
these cities. See Quiz:
http://encarta.msn.com/quiz_113/City_Nicknames.html?GT1=6065
_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > > > RECIPE < < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

TUNA AND PASTA CHEDDAR MELT
Prep/Cook Time: 20 min.

Ingredients:

1 can (10 1/2 oz.) Campbell's Chicken Broth
1 soup can water
3 cups uncooked corkscrew pasta
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk
1 can (about 6 oz.) tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. Italian-seasoned dry bread crumbs
2 tsp. butter OR margarine, melted

Directions:

HEAT broth and water to a boil in skillet. Add pasta and cook
until just tender, stirring often. Do not drain.

STIR in soup, milk and tuna. Top with cheese. Mix bread crumbs
with butter. Sprinkle on top. Heat through.

Serves 4.

(Campbell's Kitchen)
_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > > CLOSING THOUGHT < < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

Our life is what our thoughts make it.

-- Marcus Aurelius Antonius --

_______________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE < < < < < < < <
_______________________________________________________________

TO SUBSCRIBE:
mailto: List-Admin@COPD-International.com?subject=subscribe-news

TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
mailto: List-Admin@COPD-International.com?subject=unsubscribe-news

ONLINE ACCESS: http://www.COPD-International.com/lists
                            You can also subscribe to all our lists
                            (COPD, Caregiver's, and the Quit Smoking Tips)
                            at this link

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Recommend the COPD-International Newsletter to a friend!

Thank You For Your Readership
-----------------
Notes
-----------------
Newsletters are archived in the COPD-International online Library.
However, links to outside sources cannot be guaranteed after
publication date.

"COPD-International Newsletter" is an opt-in ezine available by
subscription only. You must have sent an e-mail request or visited
our Web site to request this subscription. We neither use nor
endorse the use of "spam." This newsletter is never sent to anyone
who has not requested it and we NEVER share your e-mail address with
third-parties.

© 2002-2004 COPD-International.com, except where otherwise indicated.
All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from
copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective
owners. All content provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.

All Disclaimers Apply: The information and guidance provided in this
newsletter should never be interpreted as a diagnosis, treatment
plan or any other form of professional service.

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
of any products or services associated with such sites.