UTI and dementia can be challenging so this blog will offer good insight. 

If you ever had a UTI (urinary tract infection), you probably won’t forget the symptoms you experienced. Urinary tract infection symptoms may include pain or burning during urination, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, fever, or pelvic or back pain.  It is also possible that the urine may have changed colors, or it may have a foul odor.  You might have encountered a combination of these when you had a UTI. 

Here is more information from the CDC about general UTIs.  This doesn’t include information about UTI and dementia so continue reading the blog.  https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html#anchor_1566489283094

You recognize this isn’t normal, and you call your healthcare practitioner. They most likely schedule an appointment with you, obtain a urine specimen and complete a urinalysis and urine culture. The urinalysis typically yields results within a few minutes and is indicative of a urinary tract infection.  The urine culture is sent to the lab to see which, if any, micro-organisms grow in the urine.  If you are diagnosed with a UTI, you are prescribed an antibiotic, and you start to feel better in about 48 hours. While the beginning symptoms aren’t a walk in the park, the solution is usually timely and straight forward.

This scenario usually isn’t the same when we are discussing UTI and dementia. Instead of reports of feeling unwell, urinary tract infection symptoms for someone who has a cognitive impairment, such as dementia, may present with a change in their behavior, personality or mood. This can include agitation, increased confusion, anxiety, restlessness, aggression, change in appetite or sleep, falls, or non-compliance. 

We know that when someone has a cognitive impairment such as dementia, their behavior and mood fluctuate, sometimes day by day. There are good days, and there are bad days. Keeping that in mind, some may consider the change in behavior an expectation related to the cognitive impairment.  That’s why is a good idea to keep in mind about the differences when someone has a UTI and dementia.

My approach to a change in behavior is always the same; rule out an underlying medical condition before assuming it is connected to the cognitive impairment. There are a multitude of conditions that may alter cognition. Some are easy to treat, while others may be more complicated.  If the behavior change is more than an isolated event, further clinical work up is the best course of action.  UTI and dementia usually show more than an isolated incident of behavior change.  

If you suspect your loved one may be experiencing a change in their health status or urinary tract infection symptoms, it’s always best to speak with their healthcare provider to see if additional testing is needed.  UTI and dementia can be camouflaged so don’t let it go unnoticed.  There’s no harm in having an evaluation to be sure what the person with dementia is dealing with. 

Keep a record when the person is diagnosed with a UTI.  Document what symptoms presented so you are better informed and can monitor for the same observation in the future.  This can help secure earlier diagnosis and treatment.  It’s easy to forget all of the details, especially if some time has passed.  

Advocate for your loved one to make sure the right treatment is being secured for them.  UTI and dementia, if left untreated, can lead to more serious medical problems such as a kidney infection, or possibly sepsis (meaning the infection has spread throughout the body).  It can also lead to continued behavioral changes when the person is not able to communicate that they feel sick.  

Can you imagine having urinary tract infection symptoms and a UTI and not being treated for it? I think that would put any of us in a bad mood. 

Do you need additional dementia education and care tips?  Contact Wellness Strategies Group:  https://wellnessstrategiesgroup.com/contact/