April 2013 Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Dear Respiratory friends, April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month!!!

Sarcoidosis is a disease that affects many of people in chronic and debilitating ways and is a potentially fatal inflammatory disease that can appear in almost any organ in the body and can strike people of all races and of all ages. 

While some progress has been made in understanding the symptoms and better diagnosing the disease, the cause remains undetermined and very little is known about the true burden of this illness.

April 2013 would be appropriate to designate as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month with worldwide events to increase public awareness of the need to support individuals with sarcoidosis; to raise awareness of the need for more research funding; and to educate medical professionals who are for individuals with sarcoidosis.

Through increased research, quantifying prevalence, discovering the cause, improving treatment and finding a cure for sarcoidosis may be well within reach.

Now, therefore, in resolution, Respiratory Decade, does hereby proclaim April, 2013 as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in the world.

On this occasion, we recognize the efforts of  the FSR International Coalition to Stop Sarcoidosis to raise awareness of the disease and to support research efforts of concerned physicians and scientists at the global level. We also salute the victims of sarcoidosis who demonstrate great courage and determination in their efforts to cope with the disease; and we pay tribute to their family members and to other concerned people who are engaged in grass roots efforts to promote awareness of sarcoidosis, as well as improved treatment and support for its victims.

SICK LUNGS DON'T SHOW

Dear Respiratory Friends we are publishing today Edna Fiore text about COPD, she is very good advocate for COPD!

Sick Lungs Don't Show I may not look sick, BUT…...I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) What is COPD? It includes such illnesses as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma. It is primarily characterized by extreme shortness of breath. 

LIVING WITH COPD IS VERY RESTRICTIVE: It means having to avoid strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning agents, paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders, and incense. I also have to avoid temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds, and dusty places because they make me short of breath. 

PHYSICALLY: Living with COPD can mean having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines, not walking very far, being unable to rush or "being rushed" tiring easily--especially if things last too long, being unable to tolerate tight clothing and the inability to talk for any length of time. 

SOCIALLY: Living with COPD can mean coughing in public which attracts attention and embarrasses me, having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers), being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs, and having my friends make short, pleasant, smokeless visits. EMOTIONALLY: Living with COPD can mean crying easily, angering easily, becoming frustrated and impatient because I can't do the things I used to do. Feeling resentful when others tell me, "You don't look sick." It can cause me to be panicky and tense, and becoming dependent and demanding because it's frightening when I can't breathe. 

COPD AFFECTS MY FAMILY. By having to adapt to my physical, emotional, social and environmental needs and limitations, often having to leave social functions earlier than they wish because of me or sometimes never getting there and by having to check out all of the details in advance, getting places early and all the while having to remain calm and reassuring at all times on my account REMEMBER: I may not look sick but-- SICK LUNGS DON'T SHOW!!!

Sunday Respiratory Video

This Respiratory Sunday new Depeche Mode song for you:

Easter Greetings 2013 from Respiratory Decade

 

Dear Respiratory Decade friends,
We want to wish Happy Easter to you and your families!
We are grateful for your outstanding contribution to Respiratory Decade in the world and your continuing support of Respiratory Decade campaign!

We are building together healthy Respiratory World!

The most important Respiratory event of the year

Dear friends we are happy to invite you at the most important Respiratory event of the year! European Respiratory Society is organizing Congress at Barcelona, Spain!

The Scientific Programme runs from Saturday 7 September 2013 (09:00) to Wednesday 11 September 2013 (12:45), and is highly comprehensive and addresses the latest advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. It comprises over 60 Symposia, Year in Reviews, Hot Topics and Grand Rounds, as well as some 260 Free Communication sessions, which include Oral Presentations, Poster Discussions and Thematic Posters, and a series of Evening Symposia, Evening Mini-Symposia, Evening Expert Forums and Practical Workshops organised by industry. A regularly updated version of the Scientific Programme, including a day-by-day guide to sessions, is available online at www.erscongress2013.org.

Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: How the Global Fund Can Make the Difference

We are happy to invite you to very important event at European Parliament: conference

Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: How the Global Fund Can Make the Difference

8 April, 14.00-16:00, European Parliament, Room ASP 5E2

 

The ERS/WHO Consilium providing advice on the treatment of drug-resistant TB

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), defined as active TB cases infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that are resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin (the two most important anti-TB drugs currently in use), and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), defined as active TB cases caused by infection with strains that are resistant to at least one fluoroquinolone and one injectable second-line anti-TB drug in addition to resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin, attract interest at different levels. In recent years the alarming rates of MDR- or XDR-TB in Eastern Europe and some other parts of the world, have resulted in strong expressions of concern from national and international partners, health authorities, and professional societies. 

A new online system, which will provide advice on the clinical management of complicated TB cases, is due to be launched by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) -WHO Electronic Consilium.

The consilium, which was launched during the ERS Congress in 2012, was established to provide the opportunity for clinicians and other professionals with TB expertise to support physicians in Europe in the management of TB.

The consilium will provide advice on the treatment of drug-resistant TB and other difficult-to-treat TB cases, including co-infection with HIV and paediatric cases.

A secondary aim of the online system will be to monitor and evaluate clinical practice and look at common pitfalls and trends in treatment of the condition. It is hoped that this will allow for comparison of how cases are treated to help improve TB control.

More info:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/41/3/491.full