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Moms last UTI was in Oct of 2016, she passed Sept 2017 without another incident. The main problem is they don't void completely. My Moms Dementia had progressed to where when I said push (I could tell she hadn't gone long enough) she had no idea what I was talking about. If they still go to the toilet, let them sit for a while. While Mom was in the hospital, they catherized her to get all the urine out of her bladder, it was almost brown. They started her on antibiotics and a cranberry tablet that was continued until she died. Cranberry juice from the store has sugar in it. Straight juice is too bitter/tart so tablets were good. She was also put on a probiotic to prevent yeast infections while on antibiotics. They were also continued since Mom had trouble with yeast infections.
I agree about the Depends. I can't use Kotex products so I can see that maybe a brand of Depends maybe the problem. Even the toilet tissue used. No powders. Remember, these Depends don't breath.
About the continuous catheter. I was a secretary for a VNA. My head nurse said catheters were bad for people with ongoing UTI problems. Even called a doctor on it when he prescribed one for a patient. She had no problem going to the bathroom. Because she was a big lady, her aides didn't want to get her up to go.
I'm not a doctor ..just mom's caregiver speaking to our experience. Mom's had lifelong UTI and bladder infections. Most docs just said some people more susceptible...in last 3 years she had 4 infections with no symptoms ( that she mentioned) no strong odor or color but ended up in that cycle we know too well--- had a fall , ambulance , hospitalized for sepsis .. 28 day rehab .. back home weaker than before. She's a different person today than 3 years ago( but I guess aren't we all)
Long story still long , I only bore you with the details to say I'm glad you take the UTIs seriously. Hygiene definitely big part... lots of water( repeatedly have to remind mom diet coke doesn't count in water intake , lol ) ...and we do the d- mannose like others wisely mentioned. A new doc joined our team and prescribed Methenamine Hippurate..fingers crossed but we haven't had a UTI in 6 months.In my reading it says it does not get rid of an active infection but keeps them from coming back.
As I said though , I'm not a doctor I just play one on TV but figured it may be something you want to bring up at your loved ones next appt. Just my 2¢ for what it's worth..
Have a great day !!!
Also turned out she was wiping from back to front--somebody finally discovered that after 88 years! That's a sure way to force bacteria into the urethra.
She won't drink enough, so that's a continuing problem. At lunch the other day she drank less than 4 oz. It was a hot day and I downed a 20 oz drink AND 20 oz of water. Being chronically dehydrated makes UTI's harder to clear and easier to get.
Another prevention is to drink plenty of water.
It has been said, studied, debated too, that drinking cranberry juice helps.
Then, are you asking for a female or male patient, are you the caregiver, is the patient bedridden, incontinent, wearing a catheter? Because all that would make a difference in how preventions are done. It depends....