UTI “urinary tract infection” is commonly caused due to a bacterial infection. Urinary tract disease can affect the urethra, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and kidneys because these comprise of the organs in the urinary tract. When UTI’s occur in elderly, it often results in confusion as opposed to the typical symptoms that include burning during urination and or frequent urination.
Symptoms to watch out for when it comes to Urinary tract disease or UTI’s in elderly
You could suspect that your elderly loved one may have a urinary tract infection if they are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Burning while passing urine
- A more than normal need to urinate
- Pelvic pain
- Unusual urine odour
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
Women are more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men. This is often because the urethra in females is shorter than the ones in males. This means, bacteria doesn’t have far to travel before reaching the bladder and causing havoc.
What are the risks of urinary tract disease in the elderly?
While younger people may also experience this, older people from the age of 65 and up are of higher-risk.
There is a higher-risk of pathogens transferring and incubating inside the urinary tract when a catheter is used. This can result in UTI. The immune system may function differently becoming more vulnerable to the bacteria exposure. This is mainly because senior adults’ immune systems doesn’t respond to infections, bacteria, diseases, the same way a younger person’s would.
What else causes urinary tract infection?
While catheters are one of the causes of UTI’s, elderly patients may also be at higher risk if they are exposed to bacterial organisms like “Escherichia coli” or better known as E. Coli.
E. coli is found in the intestine and forms part of the gut bacteria. But the more harmful of its species can lead to urinary tract disease, food poisoning, and food contamination among other.
How does urinary tract disease in elderly folks relate to dementia?
Elderly folks with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to identify that they have UTI. Instead, because of their mental condition, it causes confusion and it makes initial diagnoses more difficult in these patients.
These as well as Parkinson’s disease also results in urinary retention as part of the mental disease’s symptoms. Urinary retention can cause urinary tract disease and the risks are higher in these patients.
Preventative measures
- Keep your senior loved one hydrated
- Make sure that incogitance pants and devices are frequently changed
- Alcohol and caffeine can increase the development of UTI’s in elderly folks
- Encourage them to urinate as soon as the urge arrives to do so
- Get professional nursing care to help improve and maintain your elderly parent’s wellness
Diagnosing and treating UTI in elderly
Before treatment can commence, doctors have to establish if the patient has UTI or if it is a symptom of something else.
Doctors may do a urinary test to check for bacterial organisms present. Once establishing the type of bacteria, antibiotics are used to treat the patient. Always ensure that they follow through with the antibiotics course to prevent resistance.
If you have any concerns that your elderly loved one has urinary tract disease, then contact their doctor ASAP. Trained medical staff and workers help the residents at Brooklyn Care to lead better lives through quality frail care.
FAQ – Urinary Tract Disease
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- How serious can a urinary tract infection be?
It can be very serious if it gets into both kidneys - How long after getting a UTI do symptoms occur?
Three – Eight days - How long does UTI last?
Most UTI infections can be cured. UTI can last anywhere from 24 to 48 hours depending on the patient - How can you tell if a UTI has spread to kidneys?
Nausea, fever, chills, back pain, and vomiting can occur - What should you not eat when you have a UTI?
Coffee, alcohol, hot/spicy food, fizzy drinks
- How serious can a urinary tract infection be?
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