A urinary tract infection (UTI) typically occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply in the bladder. While UTIs most commonly affect women, older adults may be at greatest risk for damage due to UTIs because their symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions. Of special note for caregivers, UTI is very common for those with dementia and may make a patient's dementia symtoms seem worse. Treatment may often immediately remedy the situation.
Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms, but, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse, common symptoms may include
- frequent urge to urinate
- painful, burning feeling during urination
- passing a small amount of urine, despite urge to urinate
- milky, cloudy or reddish urine
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
- Drink lots of fluid to flush the bacteria from your system
- Drink cranberry juice or take vitamin C
- Urinate frequently and go when you first feel the urge
- Urinate shortly after sex to flush away bacteria
- After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes
If your health provider suspects a UTI, he or she may ask you for a urine sample to test for signs of infection. Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for healthy individuals. For more information, visit the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
