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

Can not get my husband to drink water . He gets UTI 's and I do not like to give him so many courses of antibiotics. So I give him d- mannose powder in water which he will drink. D-mannose is the useful ingredient in cranberry juice . Also give him a drink of coconut water mixed with some pineapple juice which he will drink. In fact it is good tasting.

Bonnie, there's no reason that D-mannose should cause kidney stones, so don't feel guilty. Are they unable to break down the stone? Are they hoping that it will pass on its own?

So I had started my dad on the D-Mannise at home and he was doing better with the uti's. He then developed a kidney stone and had a stent put in to help him pass urine around it. Since then he has been taking turns going from the rehab center for therapy, back to the hospital with a uti that has gone septic and then back to the rehab. No one will give him D-mannose in either place and it's very frustrating. They finally put him on a probiotic this past hospital visit. He has a feeding tube since this summer and I'm wondering wether the food they have him on contains too much sugar and that could be a cause. Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone know if the D-mannose could have caused the kidney stone? I'm just grasping here and feel helpless.

Besides the probiotic idea, probiotics will only work well if the person is drinking enough water. Without enough water in a persons system, things will go wrong. I'm just trying to fight UTIs myself, I just got over a second one and yes, it's very hard to choke down the recommended amount of water each day. However, the human body definitely needs it, which is why I'm glad there's flavor drops on the market specifically for water, Making it easier and more likely for people to get the recommended amount of water. Whether you drink warm water or ice water, you're still going to get the same results either way. Warm water is absorbed better by your body where is cold water will shrink internal swelling, especially if you drink ice water like they would give you at the hospital

If your parent has been put on antibiotics I strongly suggest you put Mom/Dad on a probiotic to rebuild/repopulate the gut flora and good bacteria. That could also be part of the problem.

I know this is a late reply, but I hope this helps you. My mother, who has Alzheimer's has suffered for years with UTI's. They were treatable, but nothing seemed to prevent them. Just as soon as we got one cleared up, within a very short period of time she had another one. Antibiotics didn't work, nor did any other treatment plan that they had put her on. Then a hospice nurse told me about a supplement called D-Mannos. I can't tell you exactly how it works, but I can tell you, IT REALLY WORKS. I started my mother on this about 6 months ago and she has not had any problems with UTI's since. The type that was recommended to me was NOW D Mannos. You can get it at any health food store, or online. I would recommend you do research and I usually do not like to promote health ideas to people, but I know how difficult these UTI's can be and how debilitating on a dementia patient so if ever I hear of someone having this same problem I always try and let them know. Hope it helps your dad.

Well I have to say so far this TUMT procedure has worked but it's only been 2 months. It's an office procedure to shrink the prostate by heating it up. The more invasive is called a TURP. I'm sure they have explained both of these procedures to you in the hospital. It is crazy frustrating!

I have the same problem with my dad, and I must say everyone's answers here have been really helpful. He's currently in the hospital, about the sixth time this year for a UTI, and I'm running out of ideas.

One of my mom's urologists recommended Ellura, a strong (and expensive) cranberry supplement in a capsule. I can't say it worked with my mom, but maybe you will have better luck with your dad.

There are good probiotics like Ultimate Flora that helps with the urinary health and also cranberry pills. I have been looking up D-Mannose but if there is no sign of UTI infection, won't really help so I am told. I finally got the doctors to give my Mom hormone cream to be used and that seems to be working but not sure about alternatives for males. It can be a very frustrating experience but also hygiene can be a source of the problem if they are not paying close attention to that, I believe that is why my Mom starting having issues so I also got a bidet toilet seat so it will wash her well after she goes. I hope she will be getting better with all this soon, time will tell, but best of luck to you.

I see my part one did not post. My dad has had several Utis this past year. I had him do a TUMT procedure which shrinks the prostate. It's the least invasive. It's very difficult to get him to drink water. I was told not to use the low dose antibiotic because they become immune to it. I also have the test strips which help. It's very very disheartening. I'm not familiar with shaving the prostate but I was the told the next procedure would be a TURP more invasive than a TUMT. Good luck

Since the link to the article I was referencing was stripped from my response, I'm guessing that isn't permissible here (though I swear I've seen other links posted)... Apologies, as that made my input not very helpful after all.

But I assure you this article is full of great information, and I have passed it along to many folks who have benefited from it, including my mom's doctor. Since you will have to Google it for yourselves, the title of the article is "Treat and Prevent UTIs Without Drugs" by Chris Kresser.

Hi Bonnie: I just saw your question about your Dad's UTI's. My mom used to get them quite frequently, and when the infection was cleared up (usually with Bactrim tablets), the doctor said to give her cranberry tablets (can find them in most stores). She took one each day (she didn't like to drink Cranberry juice). This helped a lot. I also made sure that she had a pitcher of water in her fridge which she did well with, but in addition, I bought her some Probiotics and had her eat yogurt every day because the doctor said this would help with the problems associated with continuous yeast infections. hope this helps. Good luck and God bless you with this issue - it's not easy.

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.

Part 2. Not to put him on a low dose antibiotic. It is the bane of my existence! Good luck

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.