Coping With Winter - A Guide For Those With Chronic Respiratory Conditions

from the American Lung Association

Winter often brings health problems not associated nearly so much with other times of the year. Conditions such as colds, flu, and other respiratory infections are much more prevalent during this time. The person with chronic respiratory conditions finds that he or she is more susceptible and has lowered resistance to these conditions.

Effects of Cold Air
When cold air is inhaled directly into the warm bronchi (breathing passages), spasm occurs. This causes shortness of breath and coughing. All too frequently, people with chronic respiratory conditions breathe through their mouth, preventing the warming and humidification of air which normally takes place in the nose. This presents an added burden to the heart and lungs.

Lessen the Load
*Use an air warming mask or scarf.
*Walk more slowly.
*Allow more time.
*Stay out of the wind, if possible.
*Use a cart for shopping.

Humidity - the amount of moisture in the air
Every home needs added moisture in the winter. The optimal indoor humidity is 40%. Although hard to achieve, it is important to maintain. Many people could avoid nose and throat irritation by maintaining proper humidity.

Homes with circulating air heating systems can attach humidifiers to the furnace. Even these may not produce enough humidification for the entire home.

Another approach is the additional use of small tabletop humidifiers. While sometimes noisy, they produce a water mist which will adequately humidify one or two rooms. However, humidifiers may pose problems because molds and fungi can accumulate in the stagnant water in the reservoir of some models.

All models should be cleaned daily and in those models which use pads or sponges to help moisten the air, the pads should be changed two or three times during the winter. Anti-fungi tablets are sold, but some people may be sensitive to the chemicals they contain.

The use of humidifiers also helps eliminate dust and static electricity.

The best way to add moisture is to drink plenty of water.

Keep Warm Indoors

Dry heat will cause drying of the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and throat and promotes the development of mucus plugs. These plugs can close off air passages, particularly the tiny ones, and prevent oxygen from getting into the blood.

The optimum room temperature should be between 68 and 72 degrees.

Sometimes we rely on space heaters, wood stoves and kerosene heaters. Wood stoves and kerosene heaters are not recommended for people with lung disease.

It is extremely important to adequately vent space heaters since they can produce toxic fumes.

Keep Warm Outdoors

During the winter, we generally wear much heavier clothing, which in turn increases the burden on the heart and lungs by requiring more oxygen. The person with chronic lung disease does not have this reserve.
*Clothing should be loose to permit circulation of warm air at the surface of the skin.
*Layers of clothing offer more insulation.
*Items of clothing made from the new synthetics are warm and light and are recommended.

Infection - Disease resulting from the presence of certain microorganisms in the body.

Complicating infections are always a problem for the chronic respiratory patient. Changes in color, amount and consistency of sputum may indicate the presence of infection and warrant a call to your physician. Avoidance of crowds and poorly vented areas lessens the chance of the spread of germs. A flu shot annually and a pneumonia shot at least once are most important.

For A More Comfortable Winter
*Use an air-warming mask.
*Choose clothing which is warm but not bulky.
*Use and properly clean your humidifier
*Avoid smoke filled rooms
*Adequately vent space heaters.
*Allow more time to get where you are going
*Seek medical advice at the first sign of an infection
*Get a flu shot
*Avoid crowds to lessen the chance of infections
*Get an adequate amount of rest
*Eat properly

The COPD News

COPD Support, Inc., edited by Joan Costello

Volume 7, Issue 52
December 7, 2007

Definition Of Prescription Abbreviations
A prescription, as is well known, is a physician's order for the preparation
and administration of a drug or device for a patient. What may be less well
known is that a prescription has several parts:

The superscription (or heading) with the symbol R or Rx which stands for the
word Recipe, meaning (in Latin) to take; The inscription which contains the
names and quantities of the ingredients; The subscription or directions for
compounding the drug; and The signature which is often preceded by the sign
s. standing for signa, mark, giving the directions to be marked on the
container. You may see some chickenscrawl marks on a prescription. For
example, b.i.d. It means twice (two times) a day and is an abbreviation for
"bis in die" which in Latin means, not too surprisingly, twice a day. It is
one of a number of hallowed abbreviations of Latin terms that have been
traditionally used in prescriptions to specify the frequency with which
medicines should be taken. Some of the abbreviations of terms commonly used
in prescriptions with their meanings are:

a.c. = before meals (from "ante cibum," before meals)
ad lib: use as much as one desires (from "ad libitum")
da or daw = dispense as written
p.c. = after meals (from "post cibum," after meals)
p.o. = by mouth, orally (from "per os," by mouth)
Other definitions at:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5033

also in this issue

-NYT Examines COPD
-CQRC Statement On The NY Times Article On Medicare's Home Oxygen Benefit
-Researchers Focus On Genes And Inflammation In Search For Clues To COPD
-Don't Let Germs Be Your Travel Companions
-Respiratory Therapy Cave
-Heavy Breathing Proteins
-Study Demonstrates Ramelton Does Not Exacerbate Respiratory Depressant Effects
-Almirall Takes On COPD
-Hats Off To Combat Asthma
-Advances In Diagnostics Can Lead To Better Quality Of Life
-Amarillo Biosciences Files Patent Application To Treat Chronic Cough With Oral Interferon
-FDA Investigates Anti-Smoking Drugs
-Ibuprofen Slows Loss Of Lung Function In Cystic Fibrosis

Web version of the News: http://copd-support1.com/news.html

Join Us?
Subscription to this Newsletter is free and we hope that it serves your needs. For more Newsletter information, go to:
http://copd-support1.com/signup-news.html

The Newsletter, like all the other endeavors of the Family of COPD Support Programs, is provided to you by COPD-Support, Inc. a non-profit
member organization with IRS designation 501(c)(3). If you would like to be
involved and help us provide these programs to the individuals who benefit from them, please consider joining us as a member. Further information is available at:
http://copd-support1.com/membership.html

More

Six White Boomers
Forget Rudolph. Have an Australian Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/v/hlSsffF2xhA&rel=1

Click here: Winters Of Long Ago
http://www.greatdanepro.com/Winters%20Long%20Ago/index.htm

Happy Holidays from Rail Europe
Choose your destination-I couldn't resist. Had to visit all of them.
http://downloads.raileurope.com/holidayCard/06_christmas_card.html

I Ain't Got a Barrel of Money
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/dearfriends/dearfriends.htm

Blue Christmas
http://www.mamarocks.com/blue_christmas.htm

Merry Christmas
http://www.riversongs.com/ecards/merry_christmas.html

Christmas Game
Shoot with the Left Mouse button
http://www.riversongs.com/egreetings/christmasgame.html

Star Shuffle
Celebrity Scramble Puzzle
http://club.live.com/images/gameimages/ElvisLivesSplashScreen.jpg

Until next Friday,
Joan Costello, Editor

Web version of the News: http://copd-support1.com/news.html

Archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/copd-news.html

The Good News Is: HealthCentral.com’s New Stop Smoking Site Provides Expert Advice, Supportive Community to Help Smokers Quit

ARLINGTON, VA — The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) today announced the launch of StopSmokingConnection.com, a website dedicated to helping smokers successfully quit. The site, found at www.HealthCentral.com/stop-smoking , provides expert advice, reliable medical information and a community support network that will aid smokers in their quest to overcome addiction.

Former smoker and award-winning author Anne Mitchell will write a weekly blog for the site. Mitchell’s book, Give It Up! Stop smoking for life, was published in 2003. Mitchell is also trained as a facilitator for the American Cancer Society’s FreshStart stop-smoking program and will use her training and her struggle with smoking cessation to offer advice and support for the site’s community members.

“The HealthCentral Network’s new Stop Smoking Connection is a rich combination of helpful information and meaningful support for people trying to quit smoking,” Mitchell said. “Having been a long-term smoker who desperately wanted to quit (and finally succeeded), I know how important it is to have that kind of support. Interacting with others who are experiencing the same symptoms and feeling the same sense of frustration during those all-too-common relapses is an important part of finally becoming successful.”
"The health risks associated with smoking are as well known as they are serious, and quitting smoking is one of the best steps an individual can take to improve his or her overall health," said Chris Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. "Providing information, tools and resources, expert advice and, above all, a community of support to those in the process of or thinking about smoking cessation is a much-needed addition to The HealthCentral Network.”

About The HealthCentral Network

The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.healthcentral.com) is a new and unique online offering, comprised of over 30 general health and highly specific condition and wellness web properties, each committed to offering a voice in everyday and personal language people can understand and connect with at critical points in their lives. Each site provides timely, interactive, in-depth and trusted medical information (from Harvard Health Publications among others), and connections to leading experts and thousands of people who share their related experiences and inspiration.

The HealthCentral Network recently launched personal health tools including the most comprehensive web solution for caregivers managing their communities of friends and families (www.carecentral.com). The company also produces the nationally syndicated television show, "Medical Breakthroughs with Dr. Dean Edell," and has a library of nearly 1,000 short-form, condition-specific videos throughout its network.

The HealthCentral Network was acquired in 2005 by Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Company, and has built a management team that combines decades of experience in interactive media and medical, science and news journalism. The company received top recognition from The International Health and Medical Media Awards with a 2006 FREDDIE Award for MyDiabetesCentral.com and the Health Care Standard of Excellence WebAward from the Web Marketing Association.

What Five Cigarettes A Day Does To Your Arteries

Many smokers feel that "cutting down" or being a "light smoker" will prevent them from suffering the often deadly consequences of smoking. Experts say that close to a third of all smokers smoke less than ten cigarettes a day. Research shows that these "light smokers" feel much less motivation to give it up.

As Lion Shahab, a health psychologist at UCL puts it, smokers are good at perceiving a general risk to health but don't apply it to their own - with light smokers the most deluded of all.

"It's the difference between looking at a virtual reality image of a tiger - you may be amazed but you won't run away - and being told the tiger is real, in which case your emotional response is to run.

"Most smokers are good at seeing the virtual reality tiger but not the real one."

But, as Professor Robert West, director of tobacco studies at UCL, points out, smoking is one area of consumption where moderation is not the answer.

While the risk of lung cancer grows with the number of cigarettes smoked - more than 20 cigarettes a day raises the risk 30-fold - in terms of heart disease, recent research suggests most of the risks come from the first few cigarettes each day.

A study of Norwegian smokers published last year found that those who smoked up to five cigarettes a day were three times more likely to die of heart disease than non-smokers.

University College London is conducting research to see just how much damage has been done to the arteries of people after years of light smoking.

Click Here to read one woman's' story of her participation in this research project and the sobering results that led her to becoming completely smoke free.

The COPD Survival Manual - It Takes Your Breath Away - By Brian Webster

A Thirty Year Survivors Story

COPD can strike almost anytime, although in most it begins around the 60's. Patients might well have had COPD years before that but their signs might have been misdiagnosed . COPD signs mimic so many minor diseases(occasional shortness of breath, intermittent coughs, tiredness) that it is only when all meet together in a major way that they might be understood as COPD. My original Doctor was stuck on "Oh dear, Mr. Webster, you have another one of those nasty winter coughs I see." It was only when I went to a specialist that I discovered what it was - COPD.

That is partially the reason for the book. I hope that a lot of people who hear about it may well ask for a fuller examination during thir annual check up. It takes a few minutes longer but may well extend your life. My Book "It Takes Your Breath Away" is really important to any Stage of COPD since it covers most of the information you need to survive. - Brian Webster

Brian's book, before now available on CD only, is now available in print.
Please visit his website - It Takes Your Breath Away - for a wealth of information about COPD and how Brian lives his life with this disease. You will also find the information you need to contact Brian and order his book.

The EFFORTS Newsletter - An Excellent Resource For COPD News and Information

Archives available from January 2005 through the latest issue, just released, December 2007
This is definitely a Not To Be Missed newsletter. To view the December Issue, Click Here.

To find links to archived newsletters Click Here.

If you are not a member of EFFORTS and wish "Home delivery" of the Monthly Newsletter and periodic updates of EFFORTS various projects - Click JOIN HERE, complete the email and click send. Being a full member will give you automatic access to the Newsletters. Join EFFORTS as a full member at http://www.emphysema.net

From The New York Times - One Of Our Own Tells Her Story

From Smoking Boom, a Major Killer of Women
By DENISE GRADY
Published: November 29, 2007


For Jean Rommes, the crisis came five years ago, on a Monday morning when she had planned to go to work but wound up in the hospital, barely able to breathe. She was 59, the president of a small company in Iowa. Although she had quit smoking a decade earlier, 30 years of cigarettes had taken their toll.

A very comprehensive article - The research for this article was extensive, including interviews from patients Jean Rommes, Grace Koppel, Diane Williams Hymons and John Walsh. Also interviewed were Dr. James Crapo, Dr. Byron Thomashow, Dr. Neil Schachter, Pamela L. Moore and Dr. James Kiley.

In addition to the article be sure to check the Times sidebar for further reading -

Expert Q&A
Readers' Questions About C.O.P.D.
Dr. Byron Thomashow, medical director of the The Jo-Ann LeBuhn Center for Chest Disease and Respiratory Failure at Columbia University Medical Center, answered readers' questions about C.O.P.D.

Times Essentials
Expert Voices
Smoking, the Environment and an Epidemic of Lung Disease
Dr. Barry Make on the rising rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Questions for Your Doctor
What to Ask About C.O.P.D.
Talking points for patients and physicians.

Clinical Trials
Selected Clinical Trials
Notable research studies now enrolling patients.

Related Articles

Surgery: After Early Success, Operations to Remove Damaged Tissues Have Fallen Sharply (November 29, 2007)

Search for Treatment: Researchers Focus on Genes and Inflammation in Search for Clues to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (November 29, 2007)

What To Know: Certain Symptoms Should Raise Red Flags for Doctors (November 29, 2007)

Also Not To Be Missed is the video put together by video journalist Erik Olsen. See It Here.

COPD Patients And Family Members, Let Your Voices Be Heard!

Dear Friend,

In 2004, the National Emphysema/COPD Association (NECA), previously known as the COPD Research Network, conducted the largest survey in the United States of persons with chronic lung disease, including chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. The survey results provided valuable insights regarding the needs of the COPD community to physicians and other health care providers.

We are now very excited to begin our follow up survey in conjunction with Innovative Health Solutions, Corp., a strategic healthcare analysis and research consulting firm.

Below is a link to the NECA website where you will be able to access and take one of two surveys. One survey is for the person with COPD. The other survey is for the individual who cares about the person with COPD and provides valuable assistance to them (for example, a spouse, a child or other close relative). Your household may complete either or both surveys. Each survey should be completed independently, without input from anyone else, within the next week to ten days.

To take the surveys, go to: www.necaweb.org

Many of you participated in the previous survey and we thank you and look forward to your participation in this survey as well. It is extremely important to all of us in the COPD community. All answers will be treated as strictly confidential. No personal identifying information will be disclosed.

If you have any questions about the survey please send an email to survey@necaweb.org
or call 1-866-340-NECA (6322).

Thank You for your participation.

Thursday Thirteen - The COPD Christmas Wish List

Well, I've done the Thursday Thirteen on my Grammy blog and on my journal blog - it's time to wander over to where I really work and add a bit of thirteening here too.

The Thursday Thirteen - Thirteen Gifts Your COPD Person Would Love For Christmas!

This Christmas gift "wish list" was compiled last year with the help of the super members of the forum Sharing COPD Information

It's certainly true that people with COPD are in most respects people just like you or me.
(hey...wait a minute... "they" are me! And quite possibly you. Or someone you know.)

We're still the same people we always were and the gifts that we've received in the past, we'll probably still enjoy now and in the future.

But there are some changes that are unique to the COPD lifestyle. That's where this "wish list" comes in. If we could ask Santa to bring a few things, here's what they might be:

1. an oximeter

2. good books/movies, especially happy/humorous ones

3. comfortable walking shoes & insoles

4. warm jacket with pockets
(a down jacket or similar outerwear is much preferred to the synthetics for warmth, especially for those of us who don't move too fast when we're outside- even though they are a bit more pricey)

5. rolling backpack/suitcase

6. gift certificate for favorite restaurant (especially ones that have take-out)

7. one frozen lobster

8. a bus tour – the kind that usually feature some sort of concert or show,
then lunch and perhaps a few other stops before heading home

9. a nice, soft scarf that can be worn over your mouth and nose when outside

10. a very good office armchair with all direction rollers.

11. a trip to the mall for 2 hours with door to door service as well as someone willing to carry packages as I shop.

12. take my car to the car wash (or do it yourself) for a wash, wax and general cleaning

13. a fluffy bathrobe

We have a lot of great ideas on that forum, so here's nine more:

1. help running errands for 4 hours

2. a warm, washable lightweight vest

3. comfortable, padded barstool with seatback to be able to sit comfortable at the kitchen counter while preparing meals

4. door to door service for two-three hour outings

5. an emergency dialer with speaker phone and panic button (push the button you wear around your neck & the base will automatically call the numbers you programmed until someone answers; they can activate the speakerphone & talk to you--NO monthly service fees)

6. a pre-paid cell phone for emergencies

7. a MedicAlert (or similar) jewelry & service

8. housekeeping service for one day

9. a portable voice recorder to record the questions & doc's answers at appointments to listen to again at home


For some more good ideas, I found a catalog that I like at
www.wellhaven.com
They have garden tools, mobility accessories, music collections-
I really like the long handled body lotion applicator for your back or legs....

another catalog- www.ActiveForever.com is more medically oriented and not as much fun, but they do carry almost everything you might need to assist you with the "activities of daily living" at a pretty good price
(no lotion applicator though)

In the sidebar to your right, you'll find the link to the Problem Solvers shop. There's lots of stuff to drool over in their catalog!

If you can think of items to add to our wish list, please leave a comment and I'll be sure to let Santa know.

COPD And Stress - More On A Less Stress Holiday Season

This week's issue of the COPD International Newsletter brings Featured Articles - Energy-Saving Holiday Tips

TIPS FOR ENJOYING HOLIDAYS WITHOUT GETTING BREATHLESS
The holidays are a special time of the year, however they can very stressful. There's so much to do - shop for gifts, put up decorations, put up and decorate a Christmas tree, attend Christmas parties and other events, wrap presents and visit family. The holidays are tough for even the healthiest people.

When you have a lung disease, the holidays can wear your down, damper your holiday spirit and aggravate your lung disease. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the holidays. See Tips:
http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/generalinformation1/qt/holiday_tips.htm

TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RELAX
Stress can be hiding around every corner this season. Learn tips to relax so you can gracefully deal with life's curveballs. See Tips:
http://www.aarp.org/health/staying_healthy/stress/a2003-03-11-taking
time.html

THE HOLIDAYS: 12 TIPS FOR COPING
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. See Tips:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/MH00030

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES
Besides keeping busy and accepting loss, there are other things a person can do to keep away from the holiday blues. Hanging out with friends or family members which don't have sad or negative emotions attached to them may be helpful. If not in the real world, then you may also consider spending more time online in a support group or chat area, which is to your liking. Here are more tips on how to chase away the holiday blues. See Tips:
http://psychcentral.com/archives/holiday_coping.htm

TIPS TO EASE THE SHOPPING FRENZY
Here are a few suggestions on how to handle Christmas shopping without having to catch your breath or get stressed to the max.

-- Mail-order catalogues
-- Home shopping networks
-- Online stores
-- E-mail greeting cards
-- Shopping and delivery services
-- Gift certificates

GETTING OUT AND ABOUT
For many of us, there is no reason for us to stay housebound. The holidays provide the perfect reason to get out and about. Visiting friends, shopping, spending time with relatives will do wonders at helping us enjoy a better quality of life. For guidance on portable oxygen equipment, most of which can be provided by your local oxygen provider, go to: http://www.portableoxygen.org

And in the About.com Health Newsletter Elizabeth Scott, About.com's Guide to Stress, has put together a series of articles to help you simplify the holiday season. So, follow her advice, and in a few weeks, when it's all over, you won't feel the sudden urge to take a long, deep nap.

In the Spotlight

Holiday Shopping Made Easier
Well, my answer to this is two words: online shopping. I love it. But it's not for everyone, so Elizabeth has a few other handy tips as well.
- Stress Guide Elizabeth Scott

Holiday Cooking Made Easier
A good nugget of advice: Be willing to try something new. For example, it's perfectly OK to order your entire holiday dinner from a local restaurant. My family typically does this, with a little local South Texas flavor: We pre-order dozens of tamales.

Holiday Cards Made Easier
Written by two very funny people, my husband's parents' annual holiday newsletter is one of the best reads of the year. And every year they threaten that it's the "last one they'll ever write." Eventually, when they make good on that threat, I'll have to get over it, and keep in mind how stressful it is for them.
- Stress Guide Elizabeth Scott

COPD And Stress / Not A Healthy Mix - How To Manage Holiday Stress

The Best of Times,
The Worst of Times,
Often the Holidays Aren't All They're Cracked Up To Be...

Here are some articles to help you to enjoy your holidays more,
Or at least to cope with the season a little more comfortably.
This entry is one of the Holiday Pages on my website
COPD And So Much More.
Please plan to visit me there soon!

Beating Holiday Stress
From Web MD this article contains strategies and stress tips for successfully navigating the holiday tides
The strategies?

Strategy: Cut Yourself Some Slack-
With four tips to show you how

Strategy: Eat to stave off tension as well as hunger.
Three tips for calmer, healthier eating

Strategy: Put whatever's stressing you in perspective
With three tips to help you change your outlook

Strategy: Learn how to have more fun with less stuff!
Three final tips

Great article!

from Dr. Phil-
Making the Holidays More Enjoyable
Find out how to bring a little sanity into your holidays.

The American Psychological Association has this article
Coping with Holiday Stress
to help answer these questions-

How Can You Deal With Continuing Family Problems During The Holidays?

Do Financial Pressures Stress People Out to the Point of Ruining the Holiday Spirit?

How Do Time Pressures Affect People Around the Holidays?

How Does a Person Deal With the Holidays When He or She Has Just Experienced A Recent Tragedy, Death or Romantic Break-up?

What Are Some Good Coping Strategies?

At the Mayo Clinic Site-
Stress, Depression and the Holidays:
12 Tips for Coping
The article lists three areas that commonly trigger holiday stress or depression:
Relationships,
Finances
and Physical Demands,
Then gives 12 tips or pre-emptive strategies for handling these areas

From Harvard Medical School
Stress- When Family Fun Is No Fun!
this article talks about how to avoid letting perfectionism spoil the party and how to worry less!

And finally, Oprah's list of Dos and Don'ts for the Season
Family , Gifts, Expectations and Health
Don't let the Holidays Drive You Crazy!!!

Alone For The Holidays?

Back from a Thanksgiving Holiday, time spent with my husband and with my family, I am very aware of just how lucky I am. This was a wonderful holiday. I have had many wonderful holidays. Some of those wonderful holidays I spent alone. Happily alone.
Below is an article I wrote last year for the Holiday Pages on my website COPD And So Much More. If you are facing the holidays alone this year, I hope it will be a help to you.

Alone for the Holidays

Seasonal hype leads us to believe that the only way to achieve holiday happiness is by spending time with family and loved ones. Facing the holidays alone can sometimes make people feel sad and lonesome.

-and please don't think that this is some sort of Susy Sunshine article written by someone who always has a houseful for the holidays, but who is still going to give you advice on how to put on a happy face.

I am very, very blessed in my life now,
I do have family with me,
I even have a child to share Christmas morning with.

But that has not always been the case- far from it.
I have spent holidays alone. Some I spent miserably, most I spent happy, blessed,
alone and well. It can be done.

The truth is that being alone does not have to mean being lonely.
Recognizing that no one else is responsible for making your days merry and bright is the first step to enjoying a stress-free holiday season alone. Try to stay positive and avoid getting into a negative mindset.
Here are some tips that may help.

Focus on the present and think positively.
Think about something you enjoy and do it.
This will help reduce some of your frustration and unhappiness as well as build your confidence and enable you to live in the spirit of the holiday season.

Indulge yourself

Decorate the House
Even if you're the only one who's going to see it, take the time to decorate your home.
Put up a Christmas tree, hang some lights. Send out cards. Make Christmas cookies.
One of the hardest things about spending Christmas alone is the feeling that everyone else is having a great time and you've been excluded.
Make sure you're not excluding yourself.

Plan Something Special
There's nothing worse than hearing everyone else's excitement over the upcoming holidays and having nothing to look forward to yourself. If you haven't got big plans for the next couple of weeks, now is the time to fix that. Plan a treat for yourself, something really special. Not only will it add to your holiday, but it'll give you a great answer to that dreaded question: "So what are you doing for Christmas?"

A lot of new movies come out in December and many theatres are open on Christmas Day, so treat yourself to a show or plan ahead and rent some films you've been wanting to see and watch them on the holiday.

If the weather allows, go outside for a while and enjoy the peace of nature. Or go for a drive and look at holiday lights and decorations.

Eat well.
Hit up that trendy eatery you've been eyeing for a while, or stop by the deli counter at the supermarket and try some interesting ethnic dishes. Buy a great big steak and your favorite bottle of wine and savor both. The holidays are synonymous with good food, so why not enjoy it, even solo?

Get away for awhile.
Even if you go no further than booking a room at the nearest local hotel, play tourist,
enjoy room service, relax and unwind.
Enjoy the peacefulness of a day without obligations.

Stop by the library or neighborhood bookstore and stock up on some great books.

Whatever you enjoy doing, indulge yourself.

Maybe you just don't want to try and enjoy the holidays alone.
There might be ways to solve that problem too!

Extend invitations
Be proactive.
Call up other people who might be on their own and arrange a holiday dinner,
agreeing to split the meal preparation duties. Don't assume that everyone you know
will be busy throughout the holidays. Yours might be just the invitation they're waiting for! Even if they have family commitments, they still might welcome the opportunity to escape and spend some time with you.

Accept invitations
When people ask about your plans, don't create a fictitious family gathering out of embarrassment. Be honest and say you don't have any plans. With any luck,
someone will issue a sincere invitation for you to join them for a holiday meal or special outing.

Go to church or a senior center or other places that offer community activities. If you don't have transportation or you don't drive, call and ask if they can provide you with a ride to holiday services.

Giving gifts or giving of yourself is a big part of the holidays.
Lend a hand to other people who are unable to shop, make a meal or bake cookies. Make some crafts and have them distributed to residents of nursing homes, homeless shelters and so on. This will help you feel the holiday is more meaningful.

Consider canine company
Although it may seem like an unusual idea, create your own company by offering to dog sit for friends who are going out of town. Of course, this will only work if you actually like dogs, and if you're familiar with their dog in particular. You'll be doing both them and yourself an enormous favor. A dog can be great company on a long winter's night

Don't forget the online community.
Visit a chat room or play some online games. Spend some time emailing New Year's greetings.

Make the best of being alone

Make resolutions
Take the opportunity that comes with solitude to reflect on some realistic New Year's resolutions. This is the perfect time to take stock of your goals and create an action plan to attain them. Most resolutions are broken because they're too broad.
Avoid this outcome by breaking yours down into a workable to-do list. If you want to lose 10 pounds and begin to exercise, you need to decide on your routine and check it out with your doctor, schedule your exercise times, throw out the junk food, make a grocery list of healthier foods, and so on.
You've got some solo time on your hands,
so use it to your advantage.

Give Yourself Some Quiet Time
Sometimes the reason we're alone on the holidays is a sad one.
If this is you this season, give yourself the time and the permission to feel sad,
just don't let it become your entire focus. Christmas has a way of turning the world into a fantasy place where everyone is supposed to be happy and everything is wonderful.
Resist the urge to fake a smile all through the month of December. If your heart is broken this year, take the time to remember, to look at old pictures, to mourn.
Just make sure you call a friend afterwards and go for coffee.
Life does go on and Christmas still can be a most wonderful time of the year.

Hard as it may seem sometimes, there are lots of worse positions to be in than on your own, so get into the spirit of the season as best you can and celebrate.
Enjoy your own company.
Do what you take pleasure in but never seem to find time to do.
And most of all, remember that it's just a day.
Make it a happy one, however you choose to spend it.

I wish you a joyous season
of peace and renewal.
Merry Christmas.

Karen

10 Thanksgiving Quotes to Celebrate The True Meaning of Thanksgiving

by Noel Jameson


Ready for some Thanksgiving quotes? I don't mean the "I'm thankful for my Nintendo Wii" or the "I'm thankful for my new car" quotes that we hear all too often lately. I mean some real Thanksgiving quotes that remind us of what we really have to be thankful for. Here are 10 Thanksgiving quotes to celebrate and ponder.

1. "The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~ H.U. Westermayer

2. "Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow." ~ Edward Sandford Martin

3. "There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American." ~ O. Henry

4. "You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

5. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

6. "We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction." ~ Harry A. Ironside

7. "It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the institution seems to be thankful 'in general.' It's very strange. It's a little like being married in general." ~ Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

8. "It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast." ~ W. J. Cameron

9. "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." ~ Cicero

10. "Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude." ~ E.P. Powell

This Thanksgiving Day, let's remember what we truly have to be thankful for. Let's take a good, hard look around us and realize that while we may not have everything we want, what we want is not always what we need. Let these ten Thanksgiving quotes remind you of the true meaning of this great American holiday as you celebrate with friends and family.



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For more holiday quotes, check out Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a website that specializes in 'Top 10' lists of quotations in dozens of categories.

Article Source: submityourarticle.com

Phil's Advice For A Happy Holiday Meal

Happy Thanksgiving to all!,
I am going to repost my eating blurb for the newer folk. The rest of you wonderful people remember that it takes a lot of O2 to digest your food, so please do not lie down right after supper as our breathing rate slows down when we sleep and it's harder to get O2 in and CO2 out when we sleep. I hate to break the ladies' hearts, but you should leave the dishes for a few hours, until your meal is digested.

"Like a number of COPD’ers, I have always had a problem when it came to eating. I could never eat too much for two reasons. One, I would become winded and the other, I would always have that feeling of having a tennis ball stuck in my solar plexus if I ate too much. It was not very often that I was able to complete my meal. I would then have an uncomfortable sensation in my chest for hours. It would take 4-6 hours for the unpleasantness in my chest to disappear. I could not eat a meal without stopping and trying to regain my breath or stop eating altogether for that meal.

A couple of months ago I sat down to a supper loaded with turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, squash, bread dressing and condiments. I ate the whole thing with no SOB and did not have any bloated feeling!

So, what Happened? What Changed? How I breathe while I eat is what has changed. Up till then, I would breathe in as I put some food in my mouth. I would then hold my breath as I chewed the food. Then I would breathe in again; swallow the food and then exhale. In essence, I was inhaling twice for every exhale and “trapping air”. I started to exhale more while I was eating. Now, as I am chewing my food, I very gently exhale for as long as I comfortably can. I never swallow now unless I have finished exhaling. That’s it! That’s the only change! I can now eat without stopping because I am too SOB or too tired to continue. As a bonus for me I gained 1½ pounds, which is significant for a man who is 5’8” tall and weighs 99 pounds.

I hope this helps others who have the same problem. Any feedback would be appreciated, and if it works for others I will add it to my Breathing Distress article."

Phil Cable










I will be joining my husband for his vacation during the week of Thanksgiving.
Happy Holiday Everyone. God Bless You.
Blogging will resume November 26, 2007

COPD And Sleep

With COPD, there are lots of things that can make it difficult for your to get a good night's sleep. These include having to sleep sitting up or taking medications that either "rev you up" or cause you to have to use the bathroom frequently during the night. Emotional changes, such as depression and anxiety, can also impair your sleep. Most of the sleep problems related to COPD can be helped, so it's a good idea to discuss your sleep problems with your doctor.

Here are some questions to think about:

*How would you describe your usual night's sleep - number of hours, overall quality?

*Do you have trouble falling asleep when you first go to bed?

*Do you wake up during the night? If so, what wakes you up and are you able to easily fall back to sleep?

*Do you wake up too early in the morning? How long have you had difficulty sleeping?
What do you think caused the problem?

*What have you tried to improve your sleep?

While your doctor may prescribe medication to help you sleep, there are steps you can take, without using any medication, that may help you get a better night's sleep.

Some Suggestions to Help You Sleep

1. You should only do two things in bed - sleep and make love.

So, if you are not doing one of these you should not be in bed. If you are having difficulty sleeping, don't watch TV in bed, don't read and don't just lie there watching the clock change.
If you find yourself awake, watching the clock for more than 20 minutes, Get Up! Do something relaxing (even if it's a little boring) - read a magazine, watch old sitcoms (in another room), just look out the window. When you feel "the edge" starting to come off, return to bed and try again.
When you return to bed and if you're not asleep in 20 minutes..get back up. If you can't get to sleep the second time around, think of a low-energy chore you have wanted to get done (such as putting your photos into albums or cleaning out the "junk drawer") and Do It.
You might not have gotten a full night's sleep, but you will have done something that you have been meaning to do. Furthermore, the next night your body should be more tired and ready for sleep. If you don't sleep well that second night, talk to your doctor; be sure to bring in the answers to the questions you answered above.

The goal of this suggestion is to teach your body that if you're horizontal you should be falling asleep soon. Therefore, it's important that you don't lie down on the sofa to watch TV, talk on the phone, read, etc.

2. Try to avoid napping; if you don't nap, you're more likely to be tired enough at bedtime to fall asleep.

3. Try to get approximately 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week. This can be as simple as walking steadily.

4. Don't do anything too stimulating in the two hours before you go to bed. During this time, try to avoid exercising, arguing with someone, working, etc.

5. Try not to go to bed hungry, but also don't eat a big meal or a lot of carbohydrates just before going to bed. Instead, have a small, high protein snack such as cheese and crackers, a glass of milk, or some nuts.

6. Keep your sleep environment conducive to sleep - cool, dark and quiet.

7. You'll sleep better if your feet are warmer than your head - wear socks.

8. Limit caffeinated beverages within four-five hours of bedtime (none after 5 pm)

9. Try to keep regular bedtime and wake-up times.

Difficulty with sleep is very common, with or without COPD. When you have difficulty falling asleep, be patient with yourself and don't let your frustration get the better of you. Getting angry and anxious will only make the problem worse. Accepting that on a given night you might have more trouble sleeping than you'd like may help you get back to sleep sooner.

World COPD Day - November 14, 2007

BREATHLESS NOT HELPLESS

World COPD Day 2007 held this year on November 14. The event is organized by GOLD (the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease,
www.goldcopd.org), with further support from the International COPD Coalition(ICC, www.internationalcopd.org), and the World Organization of Family Doctors(WONCA). It represents a partnership between health care groups and respiratory educators to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a highly prevalent disease, has a large impact on quality of life for
patients and their families, and kills millions of people worldwide. The early
stages of COPD are often unrecognized, but it is very easy to determine whether a person is at risk. If COPD is detected early, treatments are available to prevent further deterioration of lung function.

The theme of this year’s World COPD Day is “Breathless not Helpless.” The theme was chosen to emphasize that breathlessness and other symptoms of COPD are not simply a normal part of aging, and that there is treatment available to help people with COPD. This positive slogan aims to empower patients and others who have symptoms of COPD to visit their doctors and get help. An additional focus on “How You Can Help Yourself If You Have COPD” to this year’s activities and communications will also help spread these positive messages.

World COPD Day Long-Term Goals

World COPD Day calls for physicians, public authorities, and national
organizations to work together to bring awareness to COPD. By making the
general public and the health care community aware of the symptoms of COPD, individuals with symptoms will receive appropriate treatment and prevent further deterioration of their lungs.
Ultimately, this effort will:

® significantly reduce deaths from COPD

® cut the number of hospitalizations due to COPD

® reduce the rate of new cases of COPD developing.

Key short-term strategies to achieve these goals include: making the general
public aware of the symptoms of COPD; making tools for COPD
diagnosis—especially spirometers—available to health care workers; making
medications available and affordable; informing and educating health authorities, physicians, patients, and families about effective management of COPD; and supporting efforts to reduce people’s exposure to environmental risk factors implicated in the disease.

Further information about World COPD Day 2007 is available online at the World COPD Day Internet Headquarters (www.goldcopd.org/WCDIndex.asp) and on the Websites of the other organizations listed above.

Medications Commonly Used To Treat COPD

by Cecil Montgomery at COPD Survivors Support

General Information:

It is important to know that every medicine has two names -- a generic name and a brand name. The generic name is the scientific name of the drug. The brand name is the name that a specific company uses when it makes that drug.
As an example, look at a common headache medicine. Many people use acetaminophen for a headache. Acetaminophen is the generic name of the drug. The brand names include Anacin Aspirin Free, Bayer Select Headache, Panadol Maximum Strength, and Tylenol.

When your doctor prescribes a new medicine for you, you should review all of the
medicines you take ­- both prescribed and over the counter -- with your doctor. Every
time you go to the doctor, take a list of all of your medicines with you, including inhalers and OTC meds. If your doctor changes your medicines and you start to feel any adverse side effects, call your doctor at once.

Bronchodilators:

Bronchodilators relax and open your airways to increase the flow of air. They let you
exhale more completely. The preferred way to take these medicines is by inhalers. Others may be taken as pills, liquids, or nebulized liquids. Bronchodilators may be given on an as-needed basis for relief of symptoms that persist or worsen. They may also be given on a regular basis to prevent or reduce symptoms. When you use inhalers, it's very important to talk to your doctor about a treatment plan.

Short-Acting Bronchodilators:

These drugs are short-acting bronchodilators that provide quick relief. They are
fast-acting. They start to work in minutes, but last only 4 to 6 hours.They are sometimes called "rescue medicines" or "rescue inhalers." Keep one of these inhalers, if prescribed, with you at all times. Use it as prescribed when you have shortness of breath. If you need a fast-acting inhaler more than 12 times a
day, call your doctor. Possible side effects of fast-acting bronchodilators include faster heart beat, headache, and shaking(tremors). If you have side effects that bother you, talk to your doctor.
*An item of note
With these medications albuterol is well known for its side effects of heart
acceleration and effects on the central nervous system. If you have this problem you
may ask your Dr about substituting xopenox for albuterol. It now has inhalers as
well as nebulizer treatment.

Some short-acting Bronchodilators are: albuterol,Proventil, Proventil, HFA, Ventolin,
metaproterenol, Alupent, pirbuterol, Maxair,terbutaline, Brethaire, bitolterol, Tornalate,levalbuterol, and Xopenex.

Long-Acting Inhaled Bronchodilators:

Long-acting bronchodilators last about 12 hours or as long as 24 hours. It depends on
their type. These medicines help to keep your symptoms under control. So they
sometimes are called "controllers." They're also called "maintenance" bronchodilators. Usually these medicines are used on a regular basis(not "as needed"). They generally do not provide quick relief. They should not be used for immediate relief of breathing problems. The 2 types of long-acting bronchodilators
are beta-2 agonists and anticholinergics.

These long acting medicines include: salmeterol(Serevent ),formoterol(Foradil), fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair).

Salmeterol:
This beta-2 agonist is inhaled by a dry-powder inhaler or a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Salmeterol is usually taken 2 times a day, 12 hours apart. It begins to work in about 20 to 30 minutes. Do not take this medicine for an attack. Possible side
effects include headaches in the first few weeks of use, shaking (tremors), higher blood pressure, or faster heart beat. Care should also be used in diskus inhalers if you are lactose intolerant.

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent):
This is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that helps relieve the tightening of the
airways, which is called bronchospasms. Ipratropium helps to keep the airways
open. It works in 5 to 15 minutes and lasts for 4 to 6 hours. This drug is short-acting(but not fast-relief).Ipratropium comes both as a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and as a liquid for a nebulizer. Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor.
Usually this means 2 puffs from your inhaler every 4 to 6 hours. Unless your doctor
tells you otherwise, you should not take more than 2 puffs more than 4 to 6 times a
day. Side effects may increase from too frequent use.
Ipratropium is not a rescue medicine. Be sure to talk to your doctor about a
treatment plan when you use ipratropium. You should not use ipratropium if you
have an allergy to soy products or peanuts. Tell your doctor and pharmacist of all
your allergies. Be sure to include any allergies to medicine and food.

Possible side effects of ipratropium include dry mouth and bitter taste. Do not allow
the spray to get into your eyes. Be very careful. When you activate the inhaler, close your eyes. If you get ipratropium in your eye, it may cause blurred vision or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. A spacer can help to keep spray out of your eyes.


Formoterol (Foradil):
This beta-2 agonist is usually taken 2 times a day.It begins to work in less than 5
minutes, but it is not a rescue medicine. Do not take formoterol for an attack. It is
sometimes prescribed for people who have tightening of the airways brought on by
exercise. This medicine comes as a dry powder in a gelatin capsule. It is taken using a special type of inhaler that is packaged with the medicine. Possible side effects include shaking (tremors), trouble sleeping, faster heart beat, muscle cramps, and nausea.

Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva):
Spiriva HandiHaler is indicated for the long-term,once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The recommended dosage of Spiriva HandiHaler is the inhalation of the contents of one SPIRIVA capsule, once-daily, with the HandiHaler inhalation device. (See Patient's Instructions for Use) Spiriva capsules are for inhalation only with the handihaler and must not be swallowed.

Spiriva capsules, contain 18 mcg tiotropium. The HandiHaler inhalation device is gray colored with a green button. It is imprinted with Spiriva HandiHaler (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder). Six Spiriva capsules are packaged in an aluminum/PVC/aluminum blister card. One blister card consists of two blister
strips, each containing 3 capsules and joined along a perforated-cut line. After using the first capsule, the 2 remaining capsules should be used over the next 2 consecutive days. Capsules should always be stored in the blister and only removed immediately before use. The foil lidding should only be peeled back as far as
the STOP line printed on the blister foil to prevent exposure of more than one capsule. The drug should be used immediately after the packaging over an individual capsule is opened. The capsules should not be exposed to extreme temperature or moisture. Do not store capsules in the HandiHaler device.

Theophylline:
This drug is an oral bronchodilator that belongs to a group of drugs called
methylxanthines (meth-ill-ZAN-theenz). These oral bronchodilators also relax the
muscles around the airways and may also help the diaphragm to work better. Smoking
can change the way your body uses these medicines. You may need to have regular blood tests to check if your dosage is right for you or needs to be changed. At low dosages, blood tests are not normally required. This medication is also known as theophylline, Slo-Bid, Theochron, Theo-Dur, Theo-24, and Uniphyl.
Some of the generic names of these oral beta-2 agonists are the same as those for
inhaled beta-2 agonist bronchodilators. The possible side effects are similar
and include faster heart beat, head-ache, trouble sleeping, and shaking (tremors).

Corticosteroids:
Corticosteroids (KOR-ti-ko-STEER-oyds)are often referred to simply as "Steroids"
(STEER-oyds) and should not be confused with the controversial(and often illegal)
abuse of "steroids" by athletes and others. Those are anabolic-androgenic steroids.
They are man-made substances related to male sex hormones and are a totally
different substance from corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids may help to reduce swelling and inflammation and are beneficial for
treating asthma. Experts believe that inhaled steroids may also be beneficial for treating COPD. Steroids may decrease the number of episodes that cause symptoms get worse. In COPD, these episodes are called exacerbations
(eg-zass-er-BAY-shuns). Steroids are available as inhalers, which include metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry-powder inhalers. Steroids also come as liquid for nebulizers, as pills, and as injections (shots).

Inhaled Corticosteroids :
Of all the types of steroids, inhaled steroids usually cause the fewest side effects because very little enters your blood stream. Most of the inhaled steroid goes to your lungs where you need it. Do not use steroids for fast relief of shortness of breath. Possible side effects of these medicines include hoarseness or a yeast
infection in the mouth. There are several things you can do to avoid these side effects. Gargling with mouth wash or even water after taking these steroids helps to prevent side effects.

Oral Corticosteroids:
The oral steroids are: prednisone, beclomethasone,Beclovent, dipropionate, QVAR,
Vanceril, budesonide, Pulmicort Turbuhaler,flunisolide, AeroBid, fluticasone, Flovent,triamcinolone, Azmacort.
Any steroid medicine may have side effects. Possible short-term side effects include: bigger appetite,retaining fluids,weight gain,nausea or vomiting, stomach upset or ulcers, blood sugar changes. Possible long-term side effects include: high blood pressure, thinning bones,cataracts, muscle weakness, easier bruising,slower wound healing. Oral steroids slow down the work of your adrenal glands. But
when COPD symptoms suddenly get worse, oral or intravenous (IV) steroids are often
needed. It's important to take steroids exactly as your doctor says.

NOTE: You can become seriously ill if you stop taking steroids suddenly. Do not stop taking any steroid medicines without talking to your
doctor.

Combined inhaled medicines:
Many inhaled medicines are available for COPD.Some people with COPD may need to
take several of these medicines to manage their disease. To simplify taking these
medicines, some have been combined into one inhaler. For example,some inhalers
combine a maintenance (controller) inhaler and a rescue inhaler.Others combine 2
maintenance inhalers.
Combined inhalers include: Combivent (Atrovent & Albuterol)
If it becomes less effective over time in relieving your symptoms, call your doctor. Be careful about taking this medicine with other fast-acting bronchodilators. Combivent already includes a fast-acting rescue medicine. It's important to tell your doctor if you are using rescue medicines. Do not allow the Combivent spray to get into your eyes. Be very careful. When you activate the inhaler, close your eyes. Remember that Combivent contains ipratropium. If you get any spray into your eye, it may cause blurred vision or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. A spacer can help to prevent this. If you are allergic to soy products or peanuts, do not take
Combivent. Talk to your doctor about these allergies.
NOTE: Be sure to discuss the use of this medication with your DR if you are using Spiriva.

DuoNeb:
This medicine also combines albuterol and ipratropium. You take DuoNeb with a
nebulizer. It gives the same benefits as Combivent, but it is in liquid (nebulizer) form.

Advair:
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for people with COPD. Advair combines 2
controllers: salmeterol (a bronchodilator) and fluticasone(a steroid).Advair offers the long-acting bronchodilator effects of salmeterol and the steroid's ability to reduce swelling in 1 inhaler. It is usually prescribed 2 times a day, morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. Do not exceed this dosage.

Note: Advair comes in 3 different strengths that are color-coded. The fluticasone (steroid) dosage is different in each. These include 100/50,
250/50, 500/50. The salmeterol always remains the same. When you go to the doctor, take your Advair with you. Ask the doctor to check if you are taking the right dosage.

Expectorants and Mucolytics :
Expectorants (ex-PECK-ter-ents) and mucolytics(myu-ko-LIT-iks) are medicines that
may help move secretions out of the lungs and airways. How well they work is not clear.For some people, drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day can have the same effect, and it costs less. Check with your doctor before trying this. If you retain fluids or have heart failure, you must be careful about drinking fluids.

Expectorants: These medicines increase fluid in your lungs and airways, and this helps secretions to liquefy and thin. These medicines come as pills and liquids. The most common one is: Guaifenesin

Mucolytics: These medicines break down mucus to make it easier to clear the lungs and airways. The most common one is: Mucomyst which is taken with a nebulizer and is prescribed along with a bronchodilator.

Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Your doctor will choose the medicine that is best to attack the kind of infection you have. It is very important to take all the medicine prescribed. If antibiotics are not taken as directed, the bacteria may become weakened, but not destroyed. This leads to
antibiotic resistance. Always take antibiotics as your doctor prescribed.

The following are signs of infection:
Your mucus changes in color, consistency, or amount. Your wheeze, cough, or shortness of breath gets worse. You get fever or chills.

Nebulizers:
A nebulizer is a small machine that changes liquid medicine into a fine mist. You then inhale the mist into your lungs. Directions for use are supplied by each company that makes these devices. To prevent infection, it is important to clean your device as the company recommends. Talk to your doctor about the best
way for you to take inhaled medicines. Also check with your insurance company. Some insurance plans require a co-payment for nebulized medicines.

When should you seek help?
If any of the following occur, get medical care: Your mucus changes in color,
consistency, or amount. Your wheeze, cough, or shortness of breath gets worse,even after you take your medicine and it has time to work. Your breathing gets difficult. You have trouble walking or talking.

Call 911 right away if any of the following occur: You get confused. You have trouble staying awake. Your lips or fingernails are blue or
gray.

In summary I would like to impress upon each of you that medications are a life and death subject. They should never be altered without the consent/knowledge of your physician. They should always be checked to insure they are taken as required, Such as with meals, so many hours before meals or after meals. these instructions are important because they can alter the medications pharmacology. In addition, all meds should be checked for food and drug interactions. Never depend entirely on your
Dr or pharmacist. Beware of grapefruit in a large number of cases and also the
body's chemical reaction to meds as well as drug interactions.

The Effects Of COPD And The Medications Used To Treat It

In addition to physical symptoms, COPD can cause a variety of problems with both your thinking and your emotions. When your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult, your brain may get too little oxygen or too much carbon dioxide (the "waste" gas that is expelled by the lungs). If these conditions last for an extended period of time, your brain can get "sick" or actually be damaged, decreasing your ability to problem solve and remember. Other illnesses that frequently occur along with COPD, such as an infection, can add to the confusion and memory loss and make it difficult to pay attention.

The medications that you take for your COPD can also cause problems. Oral steroids - most commonly Prednisone - can cause all sorts of learning, memory and emotional problems. They can make you nervous, depressed, or more sensitive and irritable than usual. Some common antibiotics used in COPD can do the same things. When these side effects happen, it can be tempting to want to stop the medication. A better plan might be to let your doctor know what is happening so that he or she can either change the medication or find another way to relieve the problem.

Have you noticed any problems - either with your feelings or thinking - that you feel may be due to your illness or the medication? If so, write them down and discuss them with your doctor at your next visit.

The medications used to treat COPD can generally be divided into two categories. Those in the first group are meant to be taken on an "as needed" basis to make your breathing better right away. Those in the second group need to be taken regularly, as prescribed, in order to be effective. Be sure that you discuss with your doctor which of your medications fall into each category and that you are taking them properly.

In addition, some medications work best when taken before, after, or at a different time than other medications. List all the medications you take at each time of the day and in the order you usually take them. Check to see if this is the order your doctor thinks is best for you.

It may be hard to remember to take all of your medications. Recognizing this and taking steps to help your self remember is an important part of managing your COPD.

Tips for Managing Your Medications

- Combine taking your medications with other routines or habits. For instance, keep your morning and evening medications next to your toothbrush. Then, in the morning and at bedtime, take your medications before you brush your teeth.
- If you have to take pills at various times throughout the day and you find yourself getting distracted and forgetting, invest in a wristwatch with an alarm, or you can use a cooking timer. Then set it for each of your scheduled medication times.
- Get a pillbox with sections for the different days of the week and even different times during each day. This way you can plan out a week's worth of medication at a time and will be able to see if you miss any doses.
- If you have trouble organizng your pillbox, ask for help- from a family member, a friend, or someone in your doctor's office.
- If you find yourself frequently missing medication doses, keep a diary of when that happens. Then bring it in to your doctor so the two of you can work at finding a solution.
-Keep a day's-worth of pills with you at all times so that if something unexpected comes up when you're away from home you'll be able to stick to your medication schedule.
- If some of your medications cause unpleasant side effects, let your doctor know. Maybe by changing the dose the side effects can be relieved, or maybe the medication can be changed.
-If you're not sure you're taking your medications correctly, or if you think your inhalers aren't working, ask your doctor or respiratory therapist.
-When traveling, keep all of your medications with you in your carry-bag.

One final consideration when discussing COPD and the medications used to treat it is the accessibility of those medications. Many are not inexpensive and many of us are uninsured or under insured.
Unfortunately there is no magic wand to wave over that problem to make it go away, but there are resources that may be able to help you. Please leave a comment here or email me (click on the letter icon below this post) and I will try to steer you toward some assistance.

COPD Awareness Month - An Editorial From Cecil Montgomery

This is COPD Awareness Month. It is scheduled for Nov of every year. World COPD Awareness Day is 14 Nov, 2007. This is a world wide effort to recognize COPD for what it is and assist in raising awareness of its low rating in research and development world wide.
COPD is the fourth largest killer in the US and the world. It is expected to be number three by 2015. Very few people who don't have this disease have any idea how debilitating it can be. Our symptoms are not so distinguishable to other people and sometimes to ourselves until we have developed into the later stages. This is the month that we should be making these points known and advertising the lack of resources and prevention.
I am fully aware that most people, like myself, are not especially crazy about drawing attention to ourselves and publicizing our problems. This can be done in other ways such as writing a letter to the local newspaper for the letter to the editor section. Notify your local Drs offices and clinics, leave brochures in their offices with their consent, request permission to leave brochures in hospital lobbies and waiting rooms. I can get some samples of brochures if requested. You might also check local papers and news channels for any planned occasions during this month.

A sample of a letter that could be used for a letter to the Editor:

I want to take this opportunity to let every one know that this is COPD Awareness Month. It is scheduled every year in November and world wide COPD Day is always the second or third Wednesday in November.
This is my way of saying that COPD is a chronic disease and not a terminal one.
If you suspect you may be developing respiratory problems then take the time this month to get checked. You might check the local area and find someone is giving free tests in honor of COPD Month.
I belong to a COPD education group on line called the COPD Survivors. Our address is copdsurvivors@yahoogroups.com If you have computer capabilities then give us a visit if you want to know about COPD. We don't have all the answers but we do have some great people who are knowledgeable and willing to help. If one person takes the time to get educated on COPD then we have taught as many as they can reach out to.

Signature:
Phone number:

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Our Own Heroine

I knew we had a very outspoken COPD advocate in our midst. However, I didn't know how much of an activist she is. I was browsing the net a short while ago and I happened to run across a list of her accomplishments on the GOLD homepage for this year in relationship to COPD Support. Check the list below: Believe it or not she doesn't have COPD. She is doing all of this in memory of her father. Lori we salute you and all the few others that have been acquainted with this illness and walked a mile in our shoes figuratively.

2007 - Lori Palermo

Love Your Lungs, Breathe For Life

EVENT INFO:

Activities for Patients and the Public

1. Participating in the WALK FOR LIFE AND BREATH on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 at Nay Aug Park, Scranton, Pa. This event will raise funds for the American Lung Association.

2. Holding three COPD Health Fairs:
Nov. 11, 2007 - The Mall at Steamtown, Scranton, PA,
Nov. 14, 2007 - World COPD Day, Distribute Gold Ribbons throughout my community and COPD information in Gouldsboro, PA,
Nov. 17, 2007 - The Viewmont Mall, Scranton, PA,
and Nov. 25, 2007 - Bill's Shoprite Supermarket, Daleville, PA.
Health Fairs will involve a table with educational displays, informational brochures, information on websites by patients with COPD, and give-aways.

Participating Organizations
American Lung Association of Pennsylvania
Knights of Melody Walking Team

CONTACT INFO:
Name: Lori Palermo, captain of the Knights of Melody Walking Team, and Donna Ray-Reifler of the American Lung Association
Organizations:
American Lung Association of Pennsylvania
Knights of Melody Walking Team
Country: USA

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Thank you, Cecil, for another super article from your Friday newsletter!

Your Life With COPD - Accepting Help

With COPD you may feel less able to do many of the tasks that you have always done for yourself. This can lead to a feeling that you're not "pulling your weight."

People vary in the amount of support they need at different times, and they vary in their ability to accept help. It's important to recognize that, even if it is only from your doctor, you do need help. Finding and accepting that help is an important part of caring for yourself. You may want to take some time to think about accepting help.

* Is there someone who's been trying to help that you've turned down?
* What makes it hard for you to ask for or accept help from others?
* Can you think of other sources of support you haven't utilized? How about support groups? Extended family? Religious community?

Finding and accepting help is an important part of taking good care of yourself.

While you may be the one with COPD, everyone who loves you also suffers from the illness. They suffer because they hate to see you uncomfortable and unable to do the things they know you enjoy. In addition, stress levels can rise as roles change and family goals and plans have to be re-evaluated or changed. Over the course of the illness, you and your family will face different types of challenges and will respond to these with different types of coping actions. Understanding how these coping methods are different and learning when to use each type can help families to deal with the stresses of COPD.

One type of challenge that you and your family will face is an acute one. This is when something happens suddenly that makes the situation worse. Usually, with a short burst of extra effort this situation gets better or can be solved.

The second type of challenge is a chronic one. This is a long standing, slowly progressive problem that is not likely to go away or be "cured." For chronic challenges, the better coping response may be to understand what the loss is for you and your family as a result of this situation. Once you determine this, try to find a way to recover the value of what was lost, rather than hoping to go back to the way it was before.

It's important to recognize that, over time, managing your COPD will require both types of response, sometimes for the same event. For instance, if you become acutely ill at a family event, it may require an acute response, maybe even a trip to the emergency room. Not only will the family be concerned about your well-being, but you will all also be dealing with the disappointment of having to cut short your "play time" together. Once the immediate crisis has passed, you and your family will need to recognize when to relax your vigilance from the crisis and switch to finding a way to manage any changes for the long haul. This may include finding new ways to play together.

Challenge/ Response

At the time of a diagnosis of COPD you will probably experience an initial sadness, fear, anger and guilt. It will help you to talk to your family members, telling them how you feel and sharing their feelings, worries and fears. This is a time of coming together to plan how to proceed as a person with COPD and as a family.

During acute medical events such as infections and hospitalizations you will have increased physical limitations. You will need a lot of help getting things done and are not able to help out the way you used to. Family members rally around, sacrificing time and plans to support you and each other.

You will develop chronic challenges including decreased endurance and a limited ability to participate in many family events. This may cause you to feel lots of frustration and guilt about not fulfilling your role in the family, and difficulty accepting the idea that you may not be able to again. You may want to hold family meetings to talk abou the goals of the family, and of each family member. Try to find a balance between managing the illness and living family life.