http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/popular-sedatives-may-raise-risk-for-pneumonia-a-study-says/2012/12/10/57c01042-6a25-11e1-acc6-32fefc7ccd67_story.html
Xanax and Valium are common prescriptions in our society for people who struggle with anxiety. While these drugs can calm you down and make you relax they also increase your risk of contracting pneumonia. They also increase your risk of death once you contract pneumonia. This study analyzed data from 34,000 people, about 5,000 had pneumonia and about 5,000 took benzodiazepines. Those who took benzodiazepines were 54% more likely to develop pneumonia than those who didn't. The chance of dying was 22% higher for those who took the drugs than those who didn't.
This study did not set out to prove cause and effect. However, 54% is a very significant percentage. I think they should look closer to the demographics of the people who were contracting pneumonia. I also would want to know more about what happened to the immune system to weaken it and allow pneumonia to happen more easily.
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