Monday, March 25, 2024
HomePatientSymptoms Of Uti In Dementia Patients

Symptoms Of Uti In Dementia Patients

Other Ways To Prevent Some Utis Coming Back

Urinary Tract Infections – Dementia

If you keep getting a bladder infection , there is some evidence it may be helpful to take:

  • D-mannose a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day
  • cranberry products available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day

Speak to your doctor before taking any of these during pregnancy.

Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar.

If youâre taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.

Page last reviewed: 22 March 2022 Next review due: 22 March 2025

Donât Miss: Ways To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Symptoms Of A Uti In Dementia Patients

Aside form the common symptoms experienced during a UTI, such as a burning feeling while urinating, an increased need to urinate, pain in the lower abdomen, blood in urine, cloudy urine, urine with a foul odor, fever, delirium, nausea, and vomiting, there are certain UTI symptoms specific to dementia.

UTI symptoms in dementia include increased frequency of falls, changes in behavior such as aggression, changes in appetite, sleeping more or less than usual, an increase in confusion or disorientation, and an overall decline in function due to another condition that developed suddenly.

Other Symptoms Of Utis

If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behaviour, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI.

These pages explain what a UTI is, the different types of UTIs, their symptoms and treatments, and gives tips on how they may be prevented.

Read Also: Does Stress Make Dementia Worse

How Do Utis Affect People With Dementia

If someone with dementia develops a UTI, they may quickly become more confused or agitated, or you might notice a sudden change in their behaviour. This sudden confusion is also known as delirium.

The person with dementia may not be able to communicate how they feel, so if you notice a sudden or drastic change in them, seek medical advice. Infections can speed up the progression of dementia, so it’s important to get help quickly if you suspect someone has a UTI.

Summary Of The Evidence

UTI in seniors: Symptoms, causes, and dementia

Following this review, it is evident that all of the studies which have explored the association between suspected UTI and confusion are methodologically flawed, due to poor case definition for UTI or confusion, or inadequate control of confounding factors introducing significant bias. Subsequently, no accurate conclusions about the association between UTI and confusion can be drawn. One study of acceptable quality shows an association between confusion and bacteriuria. However, this sample of patients in whom they tested bacteriuria and pyuria were patients already suspected of having a UTI, introducing a bias into their calculation . In summary, none of the 22 publications had sufficient methodological quality to enable valid conclusions.

Also Check: Can You See Alzheimer’s On A Ct Scan

Curative And Preventative Treatments For Uti In Seniors

While some elders tolerate antibiotics well and recover quickly, others have such vulnerable immune systems that they suffer from recurring urinary tract infections. Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to minimize the recurrence of UTIs, such as testing for and treating other underlying conditions that may be contributing to infection.

Diagnosing A Urinary Tract Infection In Older Adults

Vague, uncommon symptoms such as confusion make UTIs challenging to diagnose in many older adults. Once your doctor suspects a UTI, its easily confirmed with a simple urinalysis.

Your doctor may perform a urine culture to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and the best antibiotic to treat it.

There are home UTI tests that check urine for nitrates and leukocytes. Both are often present in UTIs. Because bacteria are often in the urine of older adults to some degree, these tests arent always accurate. Call your doctor if you take a home test and get a positive result.

Antibiotics are the treatment of choice for UTIs in older adults and younger people. Your doctor may prescribe amoxicillin and nitrofurantoin .

More severe infections may require a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin .

You should start antibiotics as soon as possible and take them for the entire duration of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping treatment early, even if symptoms resolve, increases the risks of recurrence and antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic overuse also increases your risk for antibiotic resistance. For this reason, your doctor will likely prescribe the shortest treatment course possible. Treatment typically lasts no more than 7 days, and your infection should clear up in a few days.

Its important to drink plenty of water during treatment to help flush out the remaining bacteria.

Don’t Miss: Does Dementia Cause Early Death

Quality Assessment / Risk Of Bias

Two review authors assessed the risk of bias of included studies independently, with any discrepancies being resolved by consensus, or through discussion with a third reviewer , if necessary. The risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the assessment checklist developed by Downs and Black . Quality items that pertained to interventions and trial studies were removed as they were not deemed to be appropriate for the studies included in this review. An additional five quality items were added to the quality assessment to determine if studies described the criteria used for confusion, UTI and bacteriuria, and if their criteria for UTI and confusion were valid and reliable. Criteria for confusion were deemed valid and reliable if accepted criteria were utilised, including: the Confusion Assessment Method, the Organic Brain Syndrome Scale or the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual criteria . Similarly, criteria for UTI were deemed valid and reliable if established criteria for UTI were utilised, including: the McGeer Criteria, the revised McGeer Criteria, the Loeb Criteria, or the Revised Loeb Criteria . The modified checklist finally consisted of 14 quality items, grouped into: reporting, internal validity, external validity and criteria . The risk of bias for each quality item was reported as low risk of bias, high risk of bias, unclear risk of bias or not applicable.

Table 2 Quality Assessment Criteria

Read Also: Can Urinary Tract Infection Cause Dementia

Urinary Tract Infections Also Known As Utis

Urinary Tract Infections and Dementia Symptoms

Agingcare.com offers excellent advice on the effects of UTIs and people with dementia:

UTIs, Dementia and Delirium: Impact and Treatment Options

Urinary tract infections in elderly people with dementia are a complex issue. The first thing to understand is elders with UTIs may have different symptoms compared to young or middle aged adults. The elderly, particularly those with dementia, may not be able to tell you about urinary burning, increased urinary urge, or lower abdominal pain that is often reported in younger adults with UTIs. Furthermore, fever might not occur in the elderly.

Sometimes, the only thing noted for urinary tract infections in the elderly is an acute change in mental status, which is known as delirium. It is important to distinguish delirium from dementia, because delirium involves a short-term mental status change that is caused by a potentially reversible condition . On the other hand, dementia represents a more chronic mental status change that may or may not be reversible, depending on the cause .

On the flip side, there is a subset of people who may have chronic bacteria in the urine that generally has no visible symptoms and does not typically require antibiotic treatment. However, these people may get constantly treated for UTI that seems to return all the time after the short-term antibiotic course is finished.

If the elder is getting recurrent delirium from UTIs, there are some things that can be done to minimize the recurrence of UTIs.

Don’t Miss: Is Sleeping A Lot A Symptom Of Dementia

Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infections

The difficulty lies in diagnosing and treating a UTI in seniors. Elderly individuals are susceptible to UTIs, especially if they must use a catheter. Its also easier for them to contract a UTI when theyre hospitalized for any reason.

Younger individuals often know as soon as they have a UTI. Various medical conditions can mask the condition in older individuals. If the person already has dementia, any disorientation is attributed to that rather than to a UTI.

  • Nauseous or vomiting

Inexperienced family caregivers may not recognize the seriousness of these symptoms.

Dementia patients can experience those and similar symptoms without being aware of them. Some individuals are aware but unable to describe their symptoms. Without adequate communication, only the dementia is treated, and the UTI worsens.

When a UTI is not promptly treated, the bacteria moves to the kidneys and other organs. It can progress from a simple infection to a life-threatening condition.

An experienced caregiver knows the significance of any changes in symptoms, including when:

  • How often changed symptoms occur
  • How intense the changed symptoms are

They are also aware of any recent occurrence that could cause an infection.

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment, but home care also significantly aids in recovery. Expert home care also helps to prevent future infections.

Pegasus home health caregivers ensure that their patients:

  • Consume adequate fluids

Preventing Utis In Dementia Patients

One suggested precautionary measure to prevent a UTI is to encourage the senior to maintain regular fluid intake with the recommended amount being 6 to 8 classes each day. While that may cause some other inconvenience with bathroom visitations, those are preferable to any kind of infection. In fact, its also a good idea to encourage a senior loved one to make use of the bathroom every two or three hours anyway so waste is regularly flushed out.

Its also very important to maintain good hygiene for seniors, with regular showers being a cornerstone of their daily routine. Lastly, its important to note any sudden changes in behavior, such as unexplained confusion, or seemingly spontaneous development of incontinence where none existed before. When in doubt, its always worth checking with the family physician so as to avoid more serious health problems.

Interested in learning how Family Resource Home Care can help with UTIs and dementia in the elderly? See our Personal Care Assistance .

UTIs and dementia in the elderly Source:

Also Check: Is Alzheimer’s Always Fatal

Uti Symptoms In Dementia Patients

While there is no perfect memory loss remedy, there are several things that you can do to prevent it. First of all, exercising regularly can help keep your lungs in good shape. People who get regular exercise have better memories, and a regular exercise program can reduce stress. Additionally, exercising can help prevent memory loss by keeping your mind active. Here are some of the best ways to make your brain healthier and keep your mind sharp. Read on to learn more. Uti Symptoms in Dementia Patients

Stage : Moderate Dementia

The Connection Between UTIs and Dementia

Patients in stage 5 need some assistance in order to carry out their daily lives. The main sign for stage 5 dementia is the inability to remember major details such as the name of a close family member or a home address. Patients may become disoriented about the time and place, have trouble making decisions, and forget basic information about themselves, such as a telephone number or address.

While moderate dementia can interfere with basic functioning, patients at this stage do not need assistance with basic functions such as using the bathroom or eating. Patients also still have the ability to remember their own names and generally the names of spouses and children.

Recommended Reading: Has Alzheimer’s Ever Been Reversed

> > > Root Cause For Alzheimer And Dementia Found

A healthy diet can be a great memory loss remedy. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as low-fat proteins such as nuts and seeds. Drinking plenty of water is also beneficial. The environment and personal experiences can affect the way your brain stores information, and this can lead to memory loss. There are many other causes of temporary memory loss, and it is important to get help as soon as possible. You should consult a medical professional to determine what the best treatment will be for your particular situation. Symptoms of Uti in Dementia Patients

A healthy diet is another effective memory loss remedy. A healthy diet should include plenty of vegetables and fruits. A healthy diet is a key component in memory improvement. This is the best way to prevent memory loss. The best way to do this is to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily routine. If you cant eat fruits and vegetables, you should avoid them altogether. They are packed with antioxidants that can help your brain.

Use Of A Urinary Catheter

Urinary catheters are used to help alleviate the symptoms of urinary retention and urinary incontinence, both of which increase the likelihood of getting a UTI. Unfortunately, the use of urinary catheters can also increase the chance of getting a UTI since, if not properly sanitized, it can introduce unwanted bacteria into your organs.

You May Like: Does Vitamin E Help Dementia

Helping Caregivers Recognize Uti Symptoms

UTIs must be dealt with as quickly as possible. These infections are easily treated, but the consequences of letting them go can be serious or even fatal. If your loved one has difficulty communicating, and most people with dementia have difficulty communicating, it will be up to you to spot the signs because your loved one cant tell when theres a problem. While in the early stages of dementia, it may be possible for someone to indicate that somethings wrong , this becomes harder for people in middle-to-late stages. Again: Seeing the signs is up to the caregiver.

For most people, symptoms of UTIs include: Burning during urination Dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee Fatigue Fever or chills Abdominal pain

For people with Alzheimers disease or related dementia the symptoms can be different and surprising. Immune system changes in older people cause them to react to infections differently. Instead of responding normally to pain, an elderly person is prone to become confused, agitated, or withdrawn. As these symptoms are similar to normal symptoms shown by people with dementia, UTIs can be difficult for caregivers to catch and diagnose in their loved ones. Behavior changes that could indicate a UTI include:

Delirium, or confusion that comes on suddenly Loses functional ability quickly

Uti In The Elderly: Signs Symptoms And Treatments

A Care that Cares. UTIs Infection and Dementia

Urinary tract infections arent just a nuisance in the senior populationthey can cause serious health problems. A UTI occurs when bacteria in the urethra, bladder or kidneys multiplies in the urine. Left untreated, a UTI can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, which could permanently damage these vital organs and even lead to kidney failure. UTIs are also a leading cause of , an extreme and potentially life-threatening response to an infection.

Don’t Miss: How Does One Get Alzheimer’s Disease

Risk Factors For Urinary Tract Infection In Older Adults

Certain factors may increase the risk of UTIs in older people.

Conditions common in older adults may lead to urinary retention or neurogenic bladder. This increases the risk of UTIs. These conditions include Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and diabetes.

They often require people to wear incontinence briefs. If the briefs arent changed regularly, an infection may occur.

Several other things put older adults at risk for developing a UTI:

  • a history of UTIs

What Is A Urine Infection And What Causes It

Most urine infections are caused by germs that come from your own bowel. They cause no harm in your bowel but can cause infection if they get into other parts of your body. Some bacteria lie around your back passage after you pass a stool. These bacteria sometimes travel up the tube called the urethra and into your bladder. Some bacteria thrive in urine and multiply quickly to cause infection.

A urine infection is often called a urinary tract infection by healthcare professionals. When the infection is just in the bladder and urethra, this is called a lower UTI. If it travels up to affect one or both kidneys as well then it is called an upper UTI. This can be more serious than lower UTIs, as the kidneys can be damaged by the infection.

Read Also: Best Food For Feline Urinary Tract Health

Recommended Reading: Dementia And Memory Care Facilities

How Can I Prevent Utis

It’s not always possible to prevent UTIs, but there’s things you can do to try.

Things to do

  • Wiping from front to back when going to the toilet.
  • Maintaining hygiene by washing daily using unperfumed soap.
  • Trying to empty your bladder fully when peeing.
  • Wearing cotton underwear.
  • Drinking plenty of fluids aim for six to eight glasses of water a day.
  • Emptying your bladder after sex.
  • Things to avoid

  • Holding on when you feel the urge to pee.
  • Using perfumed soaps or talcum powder.
  • Wearing tight trousers or synthetic underwear.
  • If you or someone you look after needs help washing, going to the toilet or getting dressed, it’s important to get the help you need. Find out more about arranging care and support.

    My 94-year-old father got a UTI and the hospital staff assumed he had dementia, because he wasn’t making any sense. I had to make sure they knew this wasn’t normal for him.

    | Leicester

    Recognizing Uti Signs And Symptoms In Older Patients

    Think UTI First, Dementia Patients in the Emergency Room

    Diagnosing UTIs in older patients can be more challenging because they dont always exhibit the hallmark sign of fever and may not be able to communicate how they feel. Among elderly patients presenting with increased signs of confusion, agitation or withdrawal, the additional presence of the following symptoms may indicate infection:

    • Burning sensations during urination
    • Frequent or intense urges to urinate
    • Pain or pressure in the back or lower abdomen
    • Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
    • Feeling tired or shaky

    Read Also: Is Frontal Lobe Dementia Hereditary

    Results Of Individual Studies

    Among the included studies, the rate of confusion in patients with suspected UTI was most commonly reported followed by the rate of suspected UTI in patients with confusion . Some studies reported the rate of confusion in patients with bacteriuria and one study reported the rate of bacteriuria in patients with confusion. The majority of studies reported confusion as delirium , followed by a few reporting confusion , altered mental state , and mental status changes , with one study reporting both delirium and altered mental status . Twelve studies analysed the correlation between suspected UTI or bacteriuria and confusion .

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular