Urinary Tract Infections: A Common Occurrence Among the Elderly
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on June 29, 2017
Urinary Tract Infections: A Common Occurrence Among the Elderly
The elderly population, and more often women, are most likely to experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused when bacteria in the urethra, bladder, or kidneys multiplies in the urine. Typically, these infections involve the lower urinary tract: the bladder and the urethra.
The elderly's weakened immune systems stemming from advanced age and age-related conditions leave them more susceptible to such an infection. With weakened bladder muscles, there is often some urine retention whereby the bladder is not fully emptied or there may be incontinence.
If left untreated, UTIs can cause serious health problems.
What health problems are caused by UTIs?
A UTI, if it spreads to the kidneys, can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections and even kidney failure. UTIs are also a prime cause of potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream known as sepsis. If left untreated, UTIs are known to cause death.
What are the most common forms of UTIs?
There are two common forms: the infection of the bladder (cystitis) and the infection of the urethra (urethritis). Cystitis is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy (there is a short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder). Urethritis occurs when the gastrointestinal tract bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra.
What are typical symptoms of UTIs?
- Blood in the urine (in streaks or a pinkish color)
- Burning sensation or pain while urinating
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Low-grade fever
- Nausea
- Night sweats, shaking, or chills
- Pain in lower back or flank, or in the areas of the kidneys
- Pressure in the lower pelvis area
- Strong or foul-smelling urine
- Urine appearing to be cloudy or dark
What are some additional symptoms?
Additional symptoms of a urinary tract infection may occur. These symptoms are often mistaken for the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia.
- Agitation
- Falling
- General confusion or a delirium-like state
- Hallucinations
- Noticeable behavioral or mental changes
- Poor motor skills or feelings of dizziness
What conditions make the elderly more susceptible to UTIs?
- Bowel incontinence
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
- Immobility (for example, extended time in bed)
- Kidney stones
- Surgery in areas in the vicinity of the bladder
- Urine retention (for example, inability to empty the bladder fully)
- Use of a urinary catheter
What can be done to help reduce the risk of UTI?
- Add cranberry juice or cranberry tablets to the diet (not advised if you have kidney stones)
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Change briefs regularly
- Drink liquids (recommended 2-6 quarts daily)
- Keep body area clean
- See your doctor to prevent further complications
- Use the bathroom instead and wear cotton underwear instead of relying on adult briefs
- Wipe and cleanse from front-to-back
How can UTIs be diagnosed and treated?
A UTI is typically diagnosed with a urine sample. Further lab study looks for white and red blood cells and bacteria in the urine sample. This may inform the doctor what bacteria are causing your infection and which medications are most effective to treat it.
Urinary tract infections are usually treated with oral antibiotics and for a one-week or ten-day time period. The recommended drug and the duration depend on the type of bacteria found in your urine and your health condition. Often, symptoms clear up within this time span.
Additionally, a pain medication might be prescribed to numb your bladder and urethra to alleviate the burning sensation while urinating. A heating pad is a helpful suggestion. A warm heating pad applied to your abdomen helps to reduce the bladder pressure and overall discomfort.
If someone is experiencing repeated UTIs (two or more infections within six months or three or more infections in a year), preventive antibiotics can also be prescribed, initially for six months, but sometimes longer. A doctor might also recommend an ultrasound, a computerized tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look further at your urinary tract.
For a severe UTI, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
Continuous and carefully monitored treatment of a UTI is reported to reduce a reoccurring infection by up to 95%.