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Well, not much really. Except they both are silent; they can creep up on you and you may never know they are around. However, one can silently disappear into the skies and the other one hangs on and on and on without some kind of intervention.
OK…so, I’m making a silly comparison to grab your attention to a very, very important topic. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is nothing to chuckle about, for sure. However, I was recently asked to make some comments about this condition because it is so sneaky and most of us don’t know much about it until it strikes. Especially as older adults.
Most importantly, in older adults (especially women), a UTI may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.
So, what is a UTI (also called a bladder infection)? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic, it is an infection of the urinary system involving the bladder, kidneys, urethra. More than three million people are diagnosed annually with a urinary tract infection. That includes men but mostly women. It can be quite painful, cause an increased urge to urinate, pain with urination and blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.
However, help is on the way. After diagnosis, most UTIs can be quickly treated with antibiotics and within a short period of time.
So, what are some of the causes of a UTI? The CDC (www.CDC.gov) has a list and I have indicated below what I believe will be most relevant to you, dear reader.
Dehydration
Hospital inserted catheter
Menopause
Suppressed immune system
Antibiotics
Diabetes
Stress
What to do if you find your parent, a senior friend or relative, or yourself diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection? Of course, follow your doctor’s orders. And try to prevent another occurrence with a few simple life style changes such as:
Drink water, water and more water. About 64 ounces a day is the general recommendation. Sip it throughout the day. Include unsweetened cranberry juice and herbal teas.
Catheters are notorious for contributing to UTIs. So, keep an eye on your senior in the hospital if he/she has one. If they begin to exhibit memory issues, confusion, etc., have them checked immediately for a possible UTI. You may have to insist on it but do it anyway! In a hospital situation, a UTI may be mistaken or overlooked for other conditions.
Eat a proper diet to keep your immune system at its best. A poor diet and/or an illness can suppress this system as can antibiotics (eat yogurt).
Stress and diabetes can cause a weakened immune system. Control the diabetes as best as you can and handle your stress with meditation, walks among the trees or on the beach.
Keep that area of the body clean. Do NOT use all those “sweet-smelling” products!
Exercise frequently.
Hopefully this has given you a heads-up to an important, unwanted condition that effects millions of women annually. It is extremely important to remember if you find yourself or a loved one in a hospital situation. Or if you find yourself with unexplainable backaches or strange urine. If so, check with your doctor immediately.
In the meantime, have a beautiful fall season, drink lots of water and hopefully you won’t see any flying saucers any time soon!
Happy Aging,
Sue
P.S. A big thank you to all who forwarded my blog to a friend! Feel free to do it again! Hugs! S
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