What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria in the bladder or kidney multiplies in the urine. Untreated, it can become something more serious than merely a set of uncomfortable symptoms.
They can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, which could permanently damage the kidneys and even lead to kidney failure. UTIs are also a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.
The Elderly Are More Likely to Get UTIs
Those most likely to develop UTIs are the elderly. They are more vulnerable for many reasons, not the least of which is their overall susceptibility to all infections due to the suppressed immune system that comes with age and certain age-related conditions.
Younger people tend to empty the bladder completely upon urination, which helps to keep bacteria from accumulating within the bladder, the elderly experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder. This leads to more urine being retained in the bladder, poor bladder emptying and incontinence which in turn can lead to UTIs.
Symptoms of UTIs
The typical signs and symptoms of a UTI include:
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Bloody urine
- Strong or foul-smelling urine odor
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Pain or burning with urination
- Pressure in the lower pelvis
- Low-grade fever
- Night sweats, shaking, or chills
Elderly people with serious urinary tract infection don’t exhibit the hallmark sign of fever because their immune system is unable to mount a response to infection due to the effects of aging. In fact, the elderly often don’t exhibit any of the common symptoms – or don’t express them to their caregivers.
UTIs in the elderly are often mistaken as the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s because symptoms include:
- Confusion, or delirium-like state
- Agitation
- Other behavioral changes
- Poor motor skills or dizziness
- Hallucinations
- An increased likeliness of falling.
Sometimes, these are the only symptoms that sh0w up in the elderly
How to Reduce Risk of UTIs
People who are incontinent are more at risk because of the close contact that underwear has with their skin, which can reintroduce bacteria into the bladder. Some recommendations to help reduce this risk include the following:
- Change the briefs frequently
- Encourage front-to-back cleansing
- Keep the genital area clean
- Set reminders/timers for those who are memory-impaired to try to use the bathroom instead of the adult brief
Other ways to reduce the chance of UTIs:
- Drink plenty of fluids (see my post on hydration and the elderly)
- Drink cranberry juice or use cranberry tablets, but NOT if they have a personal or family history of kidney stones or are taking Warfarin
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, because these irritate the bladder
- Do not douches or use other feminine hygiene products
- Always wipe from front to back (for women)
- Wear cotton-cloth underwear, and change them least once a day
Helen, thank you so much for letting me know this. I will add it to the blog post.
Hi,
Re the article on UTIs & the use of cranberry juice & tablets . My Mum is on Warfarin & one of the forbidden foodstuffs while on that drug is Cranberry . May be worthwhile updating the list with this info .
Good articles & interesting newsletter
Thanks
Helen