Are elderly more prone to recurrent UTI?

Did you know, the second most common infection after the common cold is a Urinary Tract Infection(UTI). Survey suggests that nearly 1 in 3 women by age 24 will have a diagnosed and treated UTI history. Another shocking fact is that, over 50% of women will be affected by UTI in their lifetime. In a 6-month-long study on college-aged women, almost 27% of UTIs were found to recur once and 3% showed recurrence for the second time. Recurrence, however, is a more common complaint among elderly people, especially women.

Recurrent UTI is when patients have had 3 or more uncomplicated UTIs in the past 12 months.Let's understand what specifically makes elderly people more susceptible to recurrent episodes of UTI.

• Reduced urination can lead to dehydration and a suppressed immune system, which allows bacteria to multiply for longer in the bladder.
• In the case of an enlarged prostate or other health condition that causes difficulty emptying the bladder, a catheter can be used to assist. Unfortunately, bacteria can travel along the catheter to the urinary tract and directly into the bladder.
• When the patient experiences incomplete bladder voiding, he or she will experience frequent urges to urinate, but these are not productive. The retention of liquid in the bladder also creates a climate conducive to the growth of bacteria. 
• Individuals may encounter incomplete bladder voiding for a variety of reasons. In men, it is often due to physical obstruction. A kidney stone or bladder stone may prevent the bladder from being fully emptied.
• Urine cannot be pushed through the urethra effectively when the prostate is enlarged.
• It may be difficult for women to urinate fully during pregnancy due to the physical pressure that the fetus puts on the bladder.
• Following menopause, estrogen levels decline, which can weaken the urinary tract and cause incomplete voiding.
• Recurrent UTIs or symptoms that resemble UTIs are more common in older women whose underlying medical conditions trigger their recurrence. Pelvic organ prolapse, for example, can cause symptoms similar to urinary tract infections, like a frequent urge to urinate or pain and pressure in the lower abdomen.

Antibiotics often prescribed for UTIs cannot treat these conditions, so it's important to undergo a comprehensive medical exam.Also, a urine sample is often required by healthcare providers to test for UTIs. After the urine sample is collected, the medical professional will either perform a dipstick or strip test, or the sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
Neodocs UTI KIT and also the ELDERLY KIT help you diagnose UTIs and associated co-morbidities causing it, with a smart-phone based home test that yields accurate results in 60 seconds from the comfort of your home. Also,for elderly patients with other age related and lifestyle diseases it’s time to upgrade to Neodocs Smart Reports.
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