Seniors are more vulnerable to UTIs and do not have the typical symptoms.
Women and men over age 75 are more susceptible to UTI’s due to a weakened immune system. Many of them may not exhibit any of the typical signs of a UTI such as the burning sensation, or the pressure and pain in their lower abdomen. This is known as an “asymptomatic” UTI.
The reason that they do not have symptoms is either that their immune systems are unable to fight the infection, or because they may not be able to communicate their discomfort. Without these symptomatic “alarm bells”, an undiagnosed and untreated UTI can quickly lead to complications, such as kidney damage and blood poisoning.
Sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, and inability to effectively communicate all contribute to the challenges that older adults face in getting the timely care they need when infection hits.
Anyone who has suffered the onset of a UTI can recognize the “uh-oh” feeling that comes along with it. For older adults, the onset of a UTI can be harder to diagnose and becomes quickly debilitating. Clearing any existing bacteria and beginning a preventative protocol can be a life saving approach.
One tell-tale symptom of UTIs in seniors is a sudden change in mental state known as Delirium.
Medically speaking this is known as “delirium”, but it is often mistaken for the early stages of dementia. Delirium is distinct from dementia because it develops rapidly, over hours to days, rather than months to years. Key indicators of delirium include confusion, agitation, hallucinations, inability to communicate clearly, dizziness, and falling. Delirium can also be treated and often improves when the UTI is mitigated.
In long-term care facilities, UTIs account for the second most common infection and the most common cause of hospitalization for bacterial infection. Therefore, it is important for all caretakers – both professionals and those at home – to know the signs and how to treat infections properly, while also seeking to prevent them.
Monitoring and Diagnosing Their UTI
The general population is not trained to discern the difference between delirium and dementia.
Skilled nurses serving older adults in long-term care facilities, however, are trained to identify the difference, and when they observe a sudden change in behavior, the first thing they do is request a urine test. In most cases, the patient is diagnosed with a UTI and once treated, returns to their normal personality and behavior.
Caregivers and family members can now also check to see if a UTI is present, by using Goodbye UTI’s At Home Checkup Strips. As the image shows, the urine test results are easy to understand using the color-coded guide on the bottle.
Treatment with Long-Term Antibiotics Is NOT The Answer
Clinical research has shown that prescribing antibiotics to attack infections can strip the body of both good and bad bacteria. This is a particularly acute problem for seniors with systems that are immune-compromised. In many cases, antibiotic treatment will also cause other types of problems, such as vaginal yeast infections or prostatitis.
In addition, antibiotics have been shown to cause severe side effects in this patient population. As a result, doctors are now cautioned not to prescribe antibiotics unless the urinary tract infection has migrated to the kidneys and has become life-threatening.
Doctors Now Recommending D-Mannose
Given this fact, the medical community has begun to search for alternative solutions to arresting UTIs the elderly. Many doctors have begun to recommend trying a natural supplement known as D-Mannose to provide relief from an active UTI and to protect their sensitive systems against recurring UTI’s.
The most effective form of D-Mannose is a 100% pure powder which, when mixed with water, dissolves completely and has no taste. A significant amount of research on the safety and efficacy of D-Mannose is available in our “Medical Research” section.
Or you can go to the Goodbye UTI website and watch a video from a pharmacist on how it works.
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