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Any natural things we can also try? Are there liquid cranberry and probiotics? My dad us 84 yrs old. After over a year and a half of reoccurring uti, he had his prostate shaved because it wasn't letting his bladder empty all the way. Once again he has a uti's but now e. Coli and ESBL are also in his blood. He refuses to drink water, but I constantly give him water down juice, mostly cranberry and ensure. It effects his behavior and he becomes very confused and not nice! The doctors are really not that much help!
Thank you!!

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My mother had recurrent UTIs in the last two years. Her doctor put her on a schedule of a Bactrim (800/160) tablet 3 times a week to try to keep the UTIs at bay. She also takes a high-dose cranberry supplement. Has it helped? Perhaps. She has had two more UTIs this year, but I think they may have been imaginary. Her urine tests showed a trace of lymphocytes, but no clear evidence of infection.

You can talk to your husband's doctor and see if he thinks it would be worth a try. Elderly UTIs are hard for both the elder and the caregiver. You have my sympathy.
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I read that regular cranberry juice isn't as helpful as we've been lead to believe because of all the sugar in it. But have you ever tasted straight cranberry juice? Yuk!!! Perhaps do a bit of research on the cranberry supplements available as some are definately better/more potent than others. Also - my dad was getting frequent UTIs while wearing a catheter for three months getting strong enough for surgery. Like JessieBelle said, a daily low dose antibiotic was the answer - it was prescribed by his urologist. Even with your dads shaved prostrate he could be having problems emptying his bladder. If possible, when he urinates in the toilet- once he has finished count to thirty and then encourage him to give it another push. In potty-training my disabled son, an autism specialist told me that after the initial urge is gone the brain can stop/reduce the message that they still needed to go - thus the thirty count. I know I've tried it myself and am always amazed at how much I'll go again after the count - sorry if that's TMI! Lastly - you didn't mention if dad is wearing adult diapers. If he is, you may need to be changing them more frequently as they are bacteria sponges.
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Im currently recovering from a second UTI in the past nine months (never had one in 71 years, now two in the past 9 months).

Couple of things I was told during discharge that are good to keep in the back of the mind for future reference:

As some of you have already pointed out, male UTIs are a little different from female UTIs, in both cause and prevention. Cranberry juice, though helpful, is not as effective for men, mainly because of the position, function and possible interference of the prostate. An enlarged prostrate restricts urine flow, resulting in a weak stream, partial emptying of the bladder, and freqent urination urges. In severe cases the prostate can cause 'retrograde urination' (leakage of urine into the body) due to restricted flow. The latter is more painful and, of course, a far more serious situation than a simple UTI, but is readably treatable by a urologist.

Another thing to keep in the back of your mind: as I was once told by a surgeon "All it takes is one microbe".

Here's some suggestions I was given at discharge to prevent/delay future UTIs:
1. Drink plenty of water instead of just liquids (use the old 8 8oz glasses rule if nothing else, but the more the better). Drink water and water based fluids (tea, etc) instead of anything else, all day long. That alone will facilitate urination.
2. Encourage (remind) the person to urinate as necessary. A good rule of thumb, in the absence of infection, is every 1-2 hours.
3. Be sure the gential area is kept clean, especially if the person is not circumcised (natural breeding ground). This may require trimming some pubic hair in order to be thorough.
4. If briefs or pads are used, check frequently and change if damp or wet. Clean the genital area with each change.
5. In cases of dementia, the brain may 'forget' or ignore signals of the need to urinate. It may be beneficial to schedule train the person, if possible.

Just some thoughts and suggestions from my own experience. Hope their helpful.
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Encourage/Help older folks get to the toilet at least every 2hours. Sometimes, older folks don't feel thirsty, sometimes they forget to drink, but sometimes, they are afraid of urinary accidents and avoid drinking enough fluids. Very important to keep going to the bathroom to empty that bladder.
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Healthy Balance Fruit juices have only about 5 g of sugar compared to other fruit juices that have 22-26 grams.
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The best and most complete information I have ever found on treating and preventing UTIs without drugs

I do keep D-Mannose capsules on hand, as well as using a daily women's probiotic with cranberry extract for mom. (D-Mannose works well on the most common bacteria in UTIs, but there are specific other treatments, depending on the circumstances and whether other bacteria are involved.)

But of course, water intake is critical - and a difficult battle, I know. I keep a glass of water by mom at all times, but left to her own volition - even with constant reminders to drink - she will consume all of a few ounces during a day. (Micro sips!) Which is why I have a set of tall colored "shot" glasses that hold 2 oz. each and periodically throughout the day, I will have her drink a "shot of water". (I stand there while she downs it.) I also give her one of these with any pills she takes, doling out one pill at a time so she gets at least that much with any medication. (Again, left to her own, she would take all the pills at once with as little water as possible to get them down.)

I hope you find the article helpful. Best of luck to you!
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Most of the juices have a great deal of sugar which is going to contribute to UTIs. Try the cranberry pill (so says Dr. Oz), get yogurt with live cultures (not the sugary Yoplaits/or Dannons. I get Stonyfield or Mountain something and add real fruit. Pineapple juice is great for females, but you could try it on your father. I know what you mean about your 84 yr. old father, as my 89 yr. old husband doesn't like water either, but I add ice cubes or offer coffee which is mostly water. Don't forget vegetables which have a lot of water. I don't like Ensure because it is mostly sugar, has milk in it and soy. Dairy will contribute to UTIs.
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Could you put a little lemon in water and tell him it is lemonade? Also, a friend of mine that is an RN made these suggestions to me: Get my Aunt to drink anything that I can, other than coffee. My Aunt was drinking 1 cup of coffee and 1/2 cup of water per day when she came to live with me. Talk about a nightmare. It was also suggested to me to give her fruit with high water content. And, to make smoothies with lots of ice. Just put frozen fruit, yogurt and ice in blender and have at it. It took a trip to the ER with a bowel blockage and then her doctor explaining what all water affects in our bodies to get her to start drinking water. She drinks water, reluctantly and slowly at first, but as part of her routine now. I have her drinking 48oz-60oz per day.
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Don't forget coffee has cancer benefits and about 3 cups a day is recommended. Liquid is liquid, but I would recommend getting him to a urologist who specializes in prostate modification but without the BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
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Bonnie7, we understand your pain. My mom is chronic with recurring UTIs; she only has 1 functioning kidney which complicates it a bit. She will drink water yet we have to verbally cue her to do so during the day, takes 2 cranberry chewables per day & 2 AZO tablets for UTIs per day. We know it doesn't prevent them however it does reduce the number of UTIs she gets which helps. The AZO is what her home health nurse recommends so if he will take pills give it a go. She was on a low dose daily of antibiotics yet after awhile they began to be non-effective because of her resistance. Do what you can, beyond that is out of your control. Once they become chronic with them it's a battle to stay ahead. Also be aware that their "tells" for a UTI can change - we found this out the hard way.
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