Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2016 | Page 27

Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly
Courtesy Avere Healthcare Clinic

I

f a woman in her 30s experiences painful burning when
she urinates, she likely has a urinary tract infection (UTI);
however, an elderly person with a UTI rarely has clear
symptoms and might not experience pain or discomfort at
all.
As you get older, a normal part of aging is that your immune response changes. Consequently, the population
most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. UTIs in the
elderly are often mistaken as the early stages of dementia
or Alzheimer’s, because symptoms may include: confusion,
or a delirium-like state, agitation, hallucinations, dizziness,
and falling. Sometimes, these are the only symptoms that
show up in the elderly—no pain, no fever, no other typical
symptoms of a UTI. Older adults with a history of kidney
stones, diabetes, men with an enlarged prostate, or women
who are menopausal all have a higher risk of developing
urinary tract infections.
Drinking plenty of water (2 to 4 quarts each day) is an important factor in preventing UTIs. Some other methods for
women to prevent UTIs include: always wipe from front to

back and wear cotton-cloth underwear, and change them
at least once a day.
UTIs aren’t just a nuisance––they can cause serious health
problems. A UTI happens when bacteria in the bladder
or kidney multiplies in the urine. Left untreated, a UTI can
become something more serious than a set of uncomfortable symptoms. UTIs can lead to acute or chronic kidney
infections, which could permanently damage the kidneys
and even lead to kidney failure. UTIs are also a leading
cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of
the bloodstream.
If an individual suspects that they might have a UTI, it’s
recommended that they call his or her healthcare provider
for an appointment the same day that the symptoms are
recognized. In most cases, diagnosing and treating a UTI
is straightforward: a simple urinalysis can confirm the infection. For someone in good health, antibiotics are the first
choice of treatment and will often clear up the infection
in only a few days. Early detection is the key to a quick
recovery.

At Avere Healthcare Clinic, we’re pleased to welcome patients with Medicare and strive to provide the
quality of care our senior citizens deserve. You may reach us at 940-387-7300.

HEALTHCARE CLINICS
Introducing Avere Healthcare Clinic! We are a primary
care clinic conveniently located on the corner of Bonnie
Brae and Charlotte in Denton. The dedicated staff of our
clinic will work together as a team to provide you
exceptional, high-quality, comprehensive medical care
while paying close attention to your needs and concerns.
Services available include:

Carol Hedtke, MS, RN, FNP-C

General Physicals
Same Day Sick Visits
Diabetes Management
Cholesterol Management
Testosterone Therapy

Prostate Cancer Screening
Women’s Healthcare
High Blood Pressure Management
Cardiovascular Screening
B12 Injections

2535 Charlotte Street, Suite 102; Denton, TX 76201 [phone]

DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

25