Tuesday, November 5, 2019

UTIs Often Go Undiagnosed in the Elderly



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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