Urinary Tract Infections in Older Persons- Report
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Added on 2019-11-26
Urinary Tract Infections in Older Persons- Report
Added on 2019-11-26
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Running Head: URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN OLDER PERSONSUrinary Tract Infections in Older PersonsName:Institution and Affiliations:Instructor:Date:
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN OLDER PERSONSUrinary Tract Infections in Older Persons Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when bacteria attack the urinary tract via the urethraand they begin multiplying in the bladder. Urinary tract infections commonly affect womenaffecting the bladder and the urethra (Bardsley, 2017). This is because in women, the urethra isusually shorter therefore, shortening the distance traveled by bacteria to reach the bladder. Thereare several other risk factors that contribute to the development of urinary tract infections. Theseaccording to Beveridge et al (2011) include sexual activity; women who are sexually active haveincreased chances of having UTIs, some types of birth controls; the use of diaphragms andspermicidal agents puts a woman at a higher risk, menopause; circulating estrogen declines aftermenopause which results in changes in the urinary tract thus putting the women at a higher riskof being infected. There are different types of urinary tract infections in accordance with the particular partsthat get affected. One of them is acute pyelonephritis that affects the kidney. The symptomsinclude pain on the upper back and on the side, nausea and vomiting. Another type of UrinaryTract Infection is cystitis that affects the bladder (Bardsley, 2017). The symptoms include pelvicpressure, blood in urine, frequent painful urination and lower abdomen discomfort. Finally, thereis urethritis which affects the urethra. Its symptoms are burning sensation during urination anddischarge. When urinary tract infections are not treated early enough, various complications mayarise like recurrent infections, urethral narrowing where there is recurrent urethritis especially inmen, permanent kidney damage, delivery of premature infants or of low birth weight in pregnantwomen and sepsis (Beveridge et al, 2011). Urinary tract infections in older persons may presenthard to find out because they do not show the common signs and symptoms. This can be
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN OLDER PERSONSattributed to their slower immune system. Some of the non-classical symptoms of urinary tractinfections in older adults include incontinence, agitation, falls, decreased mobility, urinaryretention, lethargy and decreased appetite (Bardsley, 2017). Other severe symptoms could bevomiting, flushed skin, back pain, fever and nausea when the infection spreads into the kidney. There are certain conditions and factors that put the older persons at risk of UTIs.Conditions common in older persons like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s diseasemay lead to neurogenic bladder which increases the risk of urinary tract infections (Beveridge etal, 2011). Dementia, use of a catheter, history of UTIs, bowel incontinence, prolapsed bladderand bladder incontinence are also risk factors for UTIs in older persons. Confusion and Behavior Change As one gets older, changes take place in the immune system causing it to respond to the infection differently. Older persons may have increased signs of agitation, withdrawal and confusion (Ninan, 2013). Behavior changes can be caused by Urinary Tract Infections in person’s with Alzheimer’s disease. These distressing changes in behavior are known as delirium and can range from restlessness and agitation to hallucinations. Delirium is a mental dysfunction that manifests with neuropsychiatric abnormalities than can occur within hours or days (Davidson et al, 2013). It is marked by decreased awareness and attention. Some symptoms include disorientation, illusions, clouded consciousness, hallucinations, dysphasia, tremor and motor abnormalities. Delirium that presents with increased motor movement is referred to as hyperactive delirium while the one that presents with low motor movement referred to as hypoactive delirium (Huh, 2016). Older persons more often experience hypoactive delirium. Sometimes Urinary Tract Infections also can increase the progression of dementia. Dementia is referred to as severe reduced mental ability thus interfering with one’s daily life (Nicolle, 2013).
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