Urine Infections

[Tilly2]

Why do elderly people get consistent urine infections?

[Zacs-Master]

Consistent with what?

[carrust]

My 95yr old mother gets them quite a lot. She's not very good on her legs so doesn't drink that much, which cuts down visits to the toilet.

[Tilly2]

Consant, probably.

[Zacs-Master]

Oh I see.

[2sp_]

I agree with carrust. Also, as we get older we can become incontinent, that can also cause infection.

[Tilly2]

Consistent as in regular, Zacs. I'll stick with consistent rather than constant.

[carrust]

When I was on traction for three weeks the nurses made me drink at least 4 pints of water a day to prevent urine infections.

[FrogNog]

I'd have gone with constant :)

[bhg481]

I think "persistent" is the word you're looking for, Tilley.

[Tilly2]

I'm asking because my Dad seems to have them on a regular basis and he becomes very unstable and disorientated.

He seems to be constantly on antibiotics. I know that the care home staff encourage him to drink a lot of fluid but he is very stubborn.

[Baldric]

Well, that's initiated a wee debate hasn't it?

[woofgang]

multiple factors Tilly. Older people tend to have less resistance to infection anyway. They tend to drink less and therefore their urine is more concentrated, also they go to the loo less so the urine sits in the bladder for longer. The other bit is that their muscles tend to be less strong. this is not only one of the reasons for incontinence but it also means that the bladder may not fully empty each time. Muscle weakness also means that the seal between the bladder and the outside world is less secure and where urine can get out, bacteria can get in. An additional complication for men can be prostate issues that will also prevent complete bladder emptying.

Mitigation? drink more. Its okay to drink it early in the day so it passes before bed time but do not do the "no drinks after 6pm" thing. Take care with personal hygiene but don't go crazy. Pad that go in the undies or special underwear is helpful for this.

pelvic floor exercises may be helpful for both genders. Its also worth checking for diabetes in someone who continually gets wee infections.
Here endeth the lesson!

[Tilly2]

Does it matter what word I used as an adjective?

Consistent, constant, regular, persistent, continuous, continual, continuous, non-stop, lasting, never-ending, steady, uninterrupted, unbroken, interminable, incessant, unceasing, endless, unending, perpetual, unremitting, unrelenting, relentless, unrelieved, sustained............jeez!

[woofgang]

Tilly does he like fruit? My Mum used to not want to drink a lot, she never did, but she would enjoy juicy fruits like grapes, pears, strawberries mango and so on.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, woof.

[Sqad]

One of the very few "Best Answers" that is worth the accolade of BEST ANSWER.

Crossword ABERs please note.

[woofgang]

blushes.....

[Psybbo]

Tilly, I don't know if this helps but a couple of months ago I persuaded my mother to eat some yoghurt. Now she eats it regularly, has had no urine infections and is alert and pleasant at 95

[Tilly2]

Thanks, sibs. He does have yogurt occasionally. I'll try to persuade him to eat more.

[FrogNog]

Oh Sqad, get over yourself will you.