The
Senior Living website says that, “One of the many unseen, hard-to-detect
dangers that senior citizens face today is urinary tract infections, more often
known as UTIs.” They explain that while
the infection is usually easy to treat, the symptoms of UTIs in the elderly can
often mimic much more serious conditions including dementia.
The
reason why UTIs often are undiagnosed in the elderly is that many of them do
not experience the common symptoms associated with the infections such as
frequent urination, burning pain, cloudy urine and lower back pain. As seniors’ immune systems typically do not
function at optimal levels, UTI symptoms can manifest in a range of behaviors
including confusion, disorientations, agitation, poor motor skills, dizziness,
falling and even depression. They can even cause a sudden
onset of urinary incontinence.
Many
of these symptoms may be attributed to more serious illnesses or old age;
however, once the infection is finally diagnosed, the treatment is relatively
straightforward. A simple urinalysis can
confirm the infection and most cases will be cured by antibiotics in a few days
to a few weeks depending on the severity of the infection and the health of the
person. Doctors recommend drinking four
to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day to flush the bacteria from the system and
to add cranberry juice or cranberry tablets to your diet.
MorningStar
at Bear Creek offers the Colorado Springs area loving assisted
living for dementia patients. Along with a whole host
of resort-style amenities, wellness programs and activities, we also provide
residents with three wholesome, delicious meals each day. Residents also receive 24-hour care, access
to a full-time nurse, and a responsive, caring team that is the very heartbeat
of our community.
This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with
any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.
Source: seniorliving.org/healthcare/uti/
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