Stop UTI in the Elderly with These 8 Prevention Tips

As we get older, our body experiences many changes, leading to a decrease in the ability to keep the bladder clean and infection-free. One of those changes is a weakening of the immune system. These are all-natural consequences of aging, but we need to take precautions and protect ourselves from UTIs in our older years.

UTI In The Elderly

In a nutshell, UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. Women are more prone to this infection, and females older than 60 have a higher risk for UTIs. The symptoms of UTI include:

• Frequent urination.
• Burning sensation while urinating.
• Pain in the upper abdomen.
• The urge to drink more fluids than usual.

Sometimes there are no symptoms, but this does not mean you aren’t experiencing an infection.

For elderly men, these infections are also common and often go unnoticed because they are difficult to differentiate from the more common bladder infections. If a UTI is severe, symptoms like fever and chills can occur. Unlike younger age groups, older women and men can suffer from complications like kidney damage, urinary blockage, and loss of bladder control.

Signs and Symptoms

These signs and symptoms of a UTI may seem confusing to you, or even worse, they may sound scary, but there are many things that you can do to prevent an infection or if you already have one, then take care of it early before it gets worse. The most common signs are:

1. Burning Sensation

This symptom is common among older adults and women two or more times a week. It means that there is an infection in the bladder.

2. Urinary frequency

This is common among older people as well and also affects women. Urinating more than 2-3 times a day is a sign of an infection. This is because bacteria multiply in the bladder and cause it to get blocked.

Additional symptoms include:

• Bladder Infection: This is another common sign and one that can be hard to detect until it is too late. You should not ignore symptoms of infection because they may lead to more serious conditions like kidney failure and death.

• Urinary Urgency: This is a sign that one must not ignore. Urinating more often than you usually do means that the urine is not staying at its normal place for long enough and that bacteria have multiplied in the bladder, causing infection.

• Pain: Pain is an excellent indicator of UTI in the elderly. Whenever you experience severe pain in your lower abdomen, it is advisable to see a doctor because many remedies treat UTIs.

• Bedwetting: Bedwetting is not a good sign, and it requires one to visit a doctor to check for UTI. Bedwetting can be caused by several factors like the increase of urine in the bladder or another health condition such as diabetes.

These are some of the symptoms that may occur when someone is infected with a UTI. Not all people are affected by the same symptoms, so one must always visit a doctor to determine what is causing the infection. If left untreated, the elderly may experience:

1. Fatigue
2. Nausea
3.  Blurred vision
4. Weight loss
5. Blood in the urine or stool
6. Frequent urination
7. Fever
8. Lack of urine output
9. Soreness in the genital area etc.

Before these infection complications occur, one must take their health seriously and get checked immediately.

8 Prevention Tips To Stop UTI in the Elderly

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem in older adults. UTI in the elderly can cause pain and discomfort and lead to more severe health problems if not treated. There are several things that elderly people can do to help prevent UTIs, including:

1. Drinking plenty of water

Maintaining a healthy body requires adequate water consumption. It is also essential for preventing UTIs and other health problems that may arise from dehydration, such as constipation, headaches, or dizziness. This is especially important for the elderly to apply:

• Drinking eight glasses of water daily: 

Doctors recommend that people drink eight glasses of water every day. Older adults need to make sure they drink a lot of water to avoid problems like dehydration because their bodies do not absorb fluids as easily as younger people.

• Drinking Cranberry Juice:

Cranberry juice can help control UTI in the elderly by keeping bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract walls. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day to prevent UTIs.

• Avoid Drinking Caffeine And Alcohol:

Drinking caffeine and alcohol can cause dehydration and enhance the symptoms of UTIs. This is because they increase the amount of urine that will pass through the bladder. Alcohol is also not good for the elderly because it can cause liver damage.

2. Eating a good diet

Eating a good diet can help prevent UTIs and other health problems. Seniors need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables because these foods contain natural antioxidants that can help fight the bacteria that cause UTIs.

Choosing the best diet is highly applicable when older people are taking medication. Some medications can cause harmful side effects if taken with certain foods and beverages, so it is essential to learn what to avoid before taking a prescription for UTI treatment.

3. Good hygiene

Good hygiene habits are also essential for preventing UTIs. Older adults should wash all of their body parts (including their behinds) thoroughly every day, including after going to the bathroom and changing underwear. If someone has a UTI and then doesn’t wash as much as usual, it may worsen the infection.

Sanitation is also very important because germs can live in a wet environment for a long time. It is recommended to wipe the genital area with toilet paper after going to the bathroom. Also, clean underwear must be worn every day and regularly washed.

4. Get Regular Medical Checkups

Older people need to get medical checkups regularly. This helps to prevent problems and diseases that may lead to UTIs. Doctors can also test seniors for UTIs and other health problems, making it easier to get the right treatment.

Older adults need to get treatment for UTIs before it starts. If a person has a UTI, they should go to the doctor right away because UTIs can cause serious health problems if they are not treated.

5. Getting regular exercise

Exercise helps promote blood circulation to the entire body, including the urinary tract. This can help prevent UTIs and other health problems that may arise from lack of exercise and circulation, such as heart disease, muscle weakness, and diabetes.

Due to its ability to make the body sweat, exercise helps prevent UTIs. Sweating can help flush out bacteria in the body by transporting them through the skin’s pores. Patients with diabetes are more likely to benefit who are more likely to have UTIs and other health problems in the urinary tract.

6. Taking probiotics

Probiotics are natural bacteria that reside in the intestines. These supplements can help keep germs under control, so they do not get into the urinary tract.

Probiotic supplements are natural and inexpensive, but they can cause side effects such as bloating and flatulence in some people. People who have recently had surgery, have a catheter or have a history of kidney stones should talk to their doctor before taking probiotics because they may not be safe to take with certain medications.

7. Avoid holding your pee

If you sense the urge to urinate, make sure you do so, especially if experiencing urinary incontinence. Holding your pee can irritate the bladder and lead to UTIs. It is important to flush out the urinary system both when you are in and out of the bathroom because bacteria that cause UTIs can be on your underwear and urine.

If a person has a UTI due to holding their pee, the doctor may recommend taking medicine once or twice a day for three days to reduce infection.

8. Avoid tight clothing

Excessively tight clothing can place undue pressure on the lower abdomen and urethra, which can increase the risk of a UTI.

Prevention of UTI in the Elderly

Older adults are more likely to get UTIs due to:

•  Age
•  Low Immune System
•  Medication
•  Having a catheter
•  Incontinence
•  Diabetic
•  Low water intake and poor nutrition
•  Frequent sugar intake
•  Menopause

Conclusion

We at Serenity Senior Care believe that “prevention is better than cure.” Thus, our goal is to ensure that the elderly stay fit and healthy to prevent UTIs and other health problems. We here at Serenity strive to make sure that our seniors enjoy our services and enjoy their lives by being active and healthy.