How to stop my dad's (84) UTI's?

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.

Thank you for your reply! Any information helps. I did tell the infectious disease doctor about the d. Mannose and as usual she doesn't know it and doesn't sound like she will give him while he is there. I did find test strips on Amazon so I am able to test his urine at home for uti's, so that's helpful. I see so many different dosage that I'm not sure how much to give my 84 yr old dad for maintenance and how much if and when he gets another uti. I know they say to be careful with the kidneys and I know there are test strips I can also buy to test the protein in his urine. Does anyone know if these test strips would be the correct ones to use to monitor function of kidney's that would be affected by the d. Mannose?

I don't know anything about your second question but I would consider raising the issue with your father's urologist, if he has one, since the infectious disease doctor doesn't seem to be responsive to your inquiry.

Just caught your post now -- I had a UTI last week. I had a dreadful reaction to the antibiotic (sulfatrim) and have been recovering for the past few days in order to go back to the doctor ... well, whaddya' know, I had also increased my dietary supplement from one cranberry capsule to four, and it seems to have cleared up. I can't stand pure cranberry juice -- too bitter -- but the capsules are fine.

Most doctors don't know anything abt herbal treatments, but naturopaths do. I managed to go off two of the drugs I was taking with the help of a naturopath.

I'm not suggesting that you ignore your MD's advice, but I do think that herbal remedies/fish oil/B12 and other vitamins can help supplement the treatment.

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.

Hi,
Thank you all for all the information. I will definitely do the cranberry pills and try to increase if needed. After my dad had his prostate shaved they did test his bladder and said it worked, that he was emptying his bladder completely. But he does wear diapers. I'd say at night may be the only time he would need to change the diaper more since he usually uses his commode during the dayexcept for accidents. At night though he usually takes the diaper off himself if it's too full. I've stopped giving him drinks before bed to help. The doctor thinks the bacteria is in his bladder and says it's very resistant to antibiotics. Said he may need to come home with a pic line (which is another story because I think he will pull it out). Said the bladder is a very fragile organ especially in the elderly. He also talked about the bacteria winning and dad not being able to survive it. This is why I am inerested in the d. Mannose. But I thank you all for all your information!! If anyone has any other information I would love to hear it!

What are the best cranberry supplements to buy? My mom is 87 with dementia, and has given up trying to make it to the bathroom

You might want to google 7 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptom there are some useful tips and warnings in there that might (or might not!) be relevant

actually if you do google that a to of tips come up - many of which are contradictory so do be careful xxxx

we use 4200mg cranberry capsules-does anyone know if there is a side effect to using these. it seems to keep some UTI away but you never know. luckily my MIL will drink watered down cranberry juice but we are lucky if we can get 3 glasses in her a day. only wakes up w/wet pull up never during the day yet.

I would look into the reason for the recurring UTI's, and why he isn't completely emptying. There could be an obstruction. i know people are not dogs. However, sadly, many years ago, my old spayed female had the same thing. She had recurring UTI's out of the blue. It turned out she was not able to empty due to an obstruction and since dogs don't speak, she was unable to tell us. Eventually the obstruction grew in size. One night her bladder was completely blocked. What appeared was that she was straining to empty and her urine was very dark. Of course this was an emergency situation. I got her in right away. Imaging showed a tumor. Sadly, my only choice was to put her down. Had she been human, other options may have been possible, but having her live the remainder of her life with tubes in her and most likely living indoors and unable to walk was not going to be an option for a dog. A human can read and write and do many intellectual things, while my dog could not appreciate a life like that. She joined my late boyfriend, who had always believed in Heaven.

Make sure he's bathing properly. That was the problem with my Mom. She wasn't bathing as frequently and as thoroughly as she needed to be.

Also, call Life Extension and ask to speak to a health advisor. Explain your situation. The the advisor the medications your Dad is on and ask for suggestions to relieve your dad's recurrent UTIs. It's a free service. If you have problems please inbox me directly. And please get the health advisor's name. Good luck.

I put my mom on amoxicillin for a week if her urine was smelly, had an open script from doc. He said give 250 mg 1 time daily to prevent but i didnt need to. Keep them very clean and dry and 24 oz fluids daily is all they need. The doc told me that and thats all my mom had for 8 years with me. Believe me, that was hard enough, 3 cups.

Find ways to increase his fluids that don't involve drinking them. It's hard to get most elderly folks to up their fluid intake. Does your father like popsicles? There are brands that have fruit juice in them. If he's diabetic, perhaps you can make your own. Italian ices are another method.

I agree with the posts about antibiotic therapy. While it's important not to overuse antibiotics, I have cared for many elderly home health patients who suffered chronic UTIs and antibiotic therapy helped tremendously.

It seems that the elderly really do not enjoy drinking water, but water seems to help clear out the bacteria. It is suggested drinking 1/2 your weight in ounces of water, to help a UTI. Let's say a man was 160 pounds, that would be 80 ounces of water a day. That's a lot. Maybe a better tasting water (e.g., Dasani brand in a bottle) would be easier for your dad, and give it to him at room temperature. My board certified nutritionist would tell you that it is better to drink water at room temperature. I would still suggest, as the other writer did, to search out a good urologist. I wish you all the best in help your dad.

I just have two things to add. NurseRached, you mentioned popsicles. If Bonnie 7 can get the pure fruit popsicles, they taste good, are nutritious, and ways to get fluid in him. They are great snacks for anyone. Bonnie 7, you mentioned bacteria and TheOne1 said to really be aware of his hygiene. Having experience with both parents and trying everything that would provide them privacy and better bathroom hygiene, I found a "portable bidet." (It is also discussed on another thread.) Before sitting on the toilet, one fills the bidet with warm water. Before using toilet paper, one sprays the water and gets the area much cleaner than just toilet paper would. I imagine it makes them feel fresher and prevents leakage on their pull-ups, also. It causes a bit of water cleanup around the toilet, but it was worth it for me. Sometimes elderly people have aches and pains that prevent them from maintaining good hygiene. It really helped with my parents. Best of luck, Bonnie 7. Your dad is fortunate to have such a sweet and concerned daughter. You will will never regret a minute of what you are going though now. God bless.

My f-i-l's urologist recommended D-Mannose for his UTI's. Also, now this is strange, he recommended that f-i-l drink Crystal Light Lemonade. The doctor said it has the correct pH to prevent or deter formation of kidney stones. Who knew?

AZO Cranberry supplements for urinary tract health. You can get them over the counter in any drugstore. My mil was getting UTIs (due to a bladder mesh implant) every month and was miserable. She started taking these a year ago and never got another one again.

High potency cranberry supplements. Went through this with my mom who also refuses to drink water. After finding her unconscious from what turned out to be a UTI, I realized I had to take matters into my own hands. (Knock on wood) Mom hasn't had a UTI in a year. Also limit sweets, especially fruit juices which are full of sugar. I do give her sweets, but I monitor her sugar (she's diabetic). All things in moderation. Don't know how your dad would take to artificial sweeteners, but I also use drink mixes like True Lime. There's also a generic Wal-Mart version that's pretty good.

Healthy Balance Fruit juices have only about 5 g of sugar compared to other fruit juices that have 22-26 grams.

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!

My father's been getting them frequently for the past two years and even been in the hospital a few times because of it. His urologist told me to use a catheter on him 3-4 times a day, as his prostate is enlarged and his bladder retains urine. I've done this, being as safe and sanitary as possible (I use gloves, swipe the area with a disinfectant swab, etc) but they keep coming back. I, too, wish I could get a definitive answer regarding this.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UTIs in men are very serious. You need to find a doctor who knows this.

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).

I'm sure you've heard the term, 'you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it." You can only help people so much but the rest is up to the person you're helping. It sounds to me like the person you're trying to help is going to have to take responsibility for their own health, and avoiding infections means drinking plenty of water. Drinking plenty of ice water will jumpstart the healing process because ice water will help shrink any internal swelling caused by the infection. I should know because I face a UTI myself, and icewater really does jump start the healing process. What icewater did for me when my healing process was jumpstarted was that my body shed lots of toxins on the first night through tons of bowel movement. This is where it started because your body holds toxins you don't even know are they there until your body starts passing those toxins. Only then do you start feeling much better right away, which also gives antibiotics a good start toward eliminating the UTI. You can only get rid of an infection if you're determined enough to commit to a regimen. Without that determination you won't get rid of it. I think this should be explained to the person you're trying to help because you can't do all of the work for them, they must want to get rid of the infection or all of your efforts just won't work. Your efforts won't work without the person's help and cooperative actions to get rid of the infection. I saw someone go so far downhill through self-neglect they actually shortened their life and ended up dying. The person could've lived so much longer but because of willful self-neglect, he actually killed himself. Unless someone wants to help themselves, they won't get well because they must want it enough to take proper steps on their own in order for outside help to be successful.