Mailbag! Urgent New Alzheimer’s Warning
By
Natalie Moore
Posted April 13, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you know how quickly their health can go downhill.
Even worse, some of the most popular drugs prescribed for Alzheimer’s symptoms can make patients sicker… and maybe even kill them.
In fact, there’s one class of drugs that’s endangering the lives of countless Alzheimer’s patients right now. This is an urgent warning that all Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers need to hear.
Let’s dive in…
Hi Natalie,
My mom has Alzheimer’s. The doctor has prescribed Xanax to help with her agitation and anxiety. It seems to work, but ever since she started taking it, she’s come down with pneumonia twice. Do you know if there’s some connection?
Thanks,
Sherri S.
Unfortunately, Sherri, you may have hit the nail on the head.
Let’s start with the basics about pneumonia…
Pneumonia is a sometimes deadly lung infection that is more common among the elderly.
All forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s, increase the risk of developing pneumonia. But once you combine pneumonia with anxiety drugs like Xanax, you’re looking at a potentially deadly combination.
You see, according to research out of Finland, folks who suffer from Alzheimer’s and take benzodiazepines, like Xanax, are at increased risk for pneumonia.
In a recent study, scientists from the University of Eastern Finland sifted through medical data on nearly 50,000 adults who suffered from Alzheimer’s and were taking benzodiazepines.
After crunching the numbers, the researchers found that Alzheimer’s patients who took benzodiazepines had a 30 percent increased risk of developing pneumonia.
This means taking benzodiazepines while suffering from Alzheimer’s could up your risk of suffering from this deadly infection by nearly a third.
The same study found that other sedatives called Z-drugs didn’t increase pneumonia risk. But that doesn’t mean they are a good alternative. This class of drugs, including Ambien, come with their fair share of risks, including confusion and hallucinations — perhaps not the best solution for anyone already having cognitive issues (or anyone, for that matter).
One way to help quell anxiety without drugs is with passionflower extract. A few studies show it can help you reduce your anxiety as well as some benzodiazepines.
You can find passionflower extract at natural health stores or at pipingrock.com. Be sure to check with your doc before starting or stopping an anti-anxiety medication or supplement.
Do you have health questions you want answered? Drop me a line: feedback@livingwelldaily.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Risk Factors
[2] Common sedatives linked to increased risk of pneumonia in people with Alzheimer’s disease
[3] Common sedatives raise pneumonia risk in Alzheimer’s patients
[4] Passionflower
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell
I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...
7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills
On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...
Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions
“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...
New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High
A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....