D-mannose. My dad was hospitalized several times with UTI and I read about d-mannose killing e. Coli. I asked his urologist and he checked dad's chart....e.coli. He said wouldn't hurt to try d-mannose. Gave him 1 Solaray d-mannose with cranactin daily and if it seemed like he might be getting UTI i would up to 3 times a day for 5 days. We never had to go to hospital for UTI (at least) again. That's better than antibiotics all the time because they lead to other issues. Of course if it gets to the hallucination part you must go to ER.
Totally agree with Taarna! My Mom does not have dementia, but is almost 101 and whenever any illness pops up, like a UTI, she reacts with extreme personality changes, sleep interruption etc etc. Doctor said very elderly when sick will present like a 4 month old-they simply don't have the strength to explain and sometimes cannot even tell you where any pain is coming from. See doctor when personality changes happen is my advice. Would also add some info I received from a great kidney specialist- do not drink cranberry juice when have a UTI. Cranberry juice is great as a preventative- it slightly irritates the urinary tract and prevents bacteria from sticking there...BUT when someone has a UTI and there is an infection- you don't want to irritate infected and already irritated area. Water then is best. Keep the cranberry for post-infection prevention.
Imagine having a UTI or other problem from a baby's or toddler's perspective. Pain, feeling bad, tiredness... and not having the words or the ability to cope. So, they cry, thrash out, whine... in frustration and pain. That is what it is like for somebody with dementia.
Getting a doctor's evaluation is your first and best option. After that, consistent routines create comfort and familiarity. Lastly, meds can help ease anxiety or help a frustrated/anxious mind sleep at bedtime.
I also suggest trying cranberry tablets to help keep in under control. And a probiotic while on an antibiotic. Maybe even after the infection has cleared up.
Assuming she has been given the correct antibiotic treatment symptoms should start to improve within 48 hours and continue to get back to normal as she progresses through the course.
My wife had a major problem with UTIs. They caused some extreme behavioral changes. She would be given some antibiotics and eventually things wold settle down - until the next time. Sadly, the next time was not very far into the future.
A woman who visited another resident in the facility stopped by to ask me how my wife was doing. I told her what the problem was. She said that the lady she was visiting had the same problem some time ago, but they were able to solve the problem by giving her antibiotics prophylacticly. I talked to my wife's doctor about the suggestion and she agreed that it was worth a try, IT WORKED. In answer to your question, meds can help. I hope that it works for your Mom.
Yes, the correct prescription for a UTI can definitely help with your mother's behavioral changes!!! Make sure her urine is cultured so the exact strain of bacteria can be determined. That way, the correct antibiotic will be prescribed and there will be no guessing involved.
Wish more Drs would do the job properly like you describe, not just leap for the "usual" antibiotic. Elderly people cart the bugs which cause UTIs around with them all the time, so when one gets a real hold it is so important both for treatment and avoiding development of resistance that the are given the right one in the right dose for a long enough time.
UTI's can cause severe dehydration. Dehydration can cause major personality changes. It is amazing what a little bag of IV fluids will do to a patient suffering from this. We were convinced my Aunt was showing signs of dementia and Alzheimer's when it was just the simple fact that she needed more fluid intake. Being a hospice volunteer and having worked in the medical field for years I have seen this multiple times. The elderly start drinking less when they begin to experience incontinence or mild dementia. They then get become dehydrated and get frequent UTI's. It is a vicious circle that can be easily avoided with pushing fluids. Not all cases are the same but the majority of patients in my experience have bounced back from the scary personality changes once they are rehydrated. I hope this is true in your case. Best of luck.
Would also add some info I received from a great kidney specialist- do not drink cranberry juice when have a UTI. Cranberry juice is great as a preventative- it slightly irritates the urinary tract and prevents bacteria from sticking there...BUT when someone has a UTI and there is an infection- you don't want to irritate infected and already irritated area. Water then is best. Keep the cranberry for post-infection prevention.
Getting a doctor's evaluation is your first and best option. After that, consistent routines create comfort and familiarity. Lastly, meds can help ease anxiety or help a frustrated/anxious mind sleep at bedtime.
A woman who visited another resident in the facility stopped by to ask me how my wife was doing. I told her what the problem was. She said that the lady she was visiting had the same problem some time ago, but they were able to solve the problem by giving her antibiotics prophylacticly. I talked to my wife's doctor about the suggestion and she agreed that it was worth a try, IT WORKED. In answer to your question, meds can help. I hope that it works for your Mom.
Best of luck!!!
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