Urinary tract infections (UTIs)can and do affect people of all ages.
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
How is a UTI diagnosed?
Is the diagnosis of a UTI different for elderly people?
It’s estimated that 30 to 50 percent of people in nursing homes have ASB, per the IDSA.
Can the symptoms of a UTI be harder to identify in older adults?
Dr. Factora recommends noticing: Is the urination even more frequent?
Is it associated with pain?
Is now more frequent both night and day?
It can be very difficult to say thats related to the bladder.
It could be underlyingdementia, poor sleep, or other types of infections.
Thats why a person needs to have bladder symptoms for a diagnosis of a UTI, he says.
Why does a UTI sometimes affect an elderly persons mental status?
We see people get delirious when they havekidney infectionor if they havepneumonia; it’s not unusual.
Does being old raise the risk of getting UTIs?
Are the risks different for men and women?
Being older can raise the risk of developing a UTI, says Parker-Autry.
In women, there are hormone-related changes in the lower urinary and reproductive tract aftermenopause, she says.
Does being sedentary raise the risk of a UTI in older adults?
On its own, simply being sedentary doesnt increase your risk of a UTI, says Factora.
How can an older person reduce their risk of a UTI?
Proper hydration can helpreduce the risk of a UTI, says Factora.
Maintaining appropriate hygiene around the urethra can also make a UTI less likely, says Factora.
The urethra is the opening of the tube that connects the bladder to the outside.
Does having dementia increase the likelihood of a UTI?
Are there chronic medical conditions that raise the risk of UTIs in older people?
Taking anat-home UTI testis a convenient option, says Factora.
That’s not something that the home test will tell you.
What is the treatment for UTIs in elderly people?
Is it different from treatment for a younger person?
What about elderly people with recurrent UTIs?
difficileinfection, Factora says.
People 65 and older are at higher risk ofClostridioides difficile, according to theCDC.
Thats why we must be very careful about distinguishing between asymptomatic bacteriuria and true UTIs, and not overtreating.
People can develop resistance down the line, and that may increase the risk of developingC.
diff, says Factora.
She is passionate about helping patients achieve the quality of life they are entitled to.
Becky Upham has been professionally involved in health and wellness for almost 20 years.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
UTI Causes and Risk Factors
Can Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Help Get Rid of UTIs?
Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
