In older adults, the brain is more affected by the inflammation and the stress hormones that the body produces to fight the infection. The effects of this inflammation and stress on the brain are what show up as delirium.
UTIs can cause sudden confusion (also known as delirium) in older people and people with dementia. If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behaviour, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI.
A UTI places stress on the body,” says Dr. Pearson, “and any type of stress, physical or emotional, can cause an older adult to become confused. For those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, a UTI can make dementia temporarily worse.”
While a UTI won't cause dementia, it can impact mental wellness and worsen the condition in patients with dementia. If mental and behavioral effects continue after the UTI is treated, patients should consult a health care professional.
In older adults, the brain is more affected by the inflammation and the stress hormones that the body produces to fight the infection. The effects of this inflammation and stress on the brain are what show up as delirium.
Confusion and delirium related to urinary tract infections in elderly people will go away once the infection starts to clear up with antibiotics. Depending on the extent of the infection, it could take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks for the UTI—and subsequent confusion—to go away.
In most cases, UTI-induced delirium is reversible.
If your UTI goes untreated, it may progress into a more serious infection. “An untreated bladder infection can become a kidney or prostate infection. These infections are more serious, because they can travel through the blood stream causing sepsis. Sepsis makes people very ill and can even be critical,” Dr.
Childhood UTI can lead to renal scarring. Renal scarring has been linked with long-term complications including hypertension, pre-eclampsia and renal failure. Clinical guidelines promote the prompt diagnosis and treatment of UTI as a measure to prevent renal scarring and longer term complications.
Myth: All UTIs must be treated with antibiotics.
Some people can have bacteria in their bladders but not experience any symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria. In most cases, no treatment is necessary as the bacteria is not causing issues.
UTIs also can cause delirium in older people, resulting in a sharp decline in mental abilities that triggers disoriented thinking.
Most UTIs are not considered serious. However, leaving it untreated can lead to more serious medical problems. Infection can likely spread to your kidneys and blood stream causing permanent damage, and even death.
A complicated UTI is any urinary tract infection other than a simple UTI as defined above. Therefore, all urinary tract infections in immunocompromised patients, males, and those associated with fevers, stones, sepsis, urinary obstruction, catheters, or involving the kidneys are considered complicated infections.
During the infection — and after — make sure to drink a lot of water, at least 12 8-ounce cups per day. This will flush out your system and help prevent future infections. If you feel like you've got to go, GO! Don't hold it, as this simply delays getting rid of more bacteria.
UTIs that do not respond to antibiotics will likely require a urine culture to determine which bacteria are causing the infection. If it turns out that a different sort of bacteria, fungus, or virus caused your UTI, your physician will recommend an alternative treatment.
Most people who get a UTI complain of painful urination, fever, chills or lower back pain, but dementia patients often do not. That's why it takes careful observation by health care providers and family members to bring unusual behavior to the attention of the medical staff.
“Our compromised elders, especially females often develop, "silent" urinary tract infections. These UTIs are called "silent" because they usually have no symptoms of pain, no burning, no odor, no frequency, etc. BUT there will often be profound changes in behaviors.”
Agitation and restlessness may occur in seniors with a UTI because of the physical discomfort, but these symptoms may also result from confusion or delirium. You may feel jumpy, nervous, or on-edge, or you might have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep.
Why Do Seniors Get UTIs? Older adults are more vulnerable to UTIs, because as we age, we tend to have weaker muscles in our bladder and pelvic floor that can cause urine retention or incontinence. Whenever the urine stays in the urinary tract, there's a potential for bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, or E.
If the delirium is due to a UTI, treatment with an appropriate course of antibiotics may help to lessen the symptoms of confusion. It is important that if someone is very distressed or agitated they are offered support and reassurance to keep them safe.