About one in 10 women aged 65 or older who report having at least one Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) every year.
Common during warm weather, a UTI can cause pain and burning when passing urine. It can cause frequent urination, fever, fatigue, nausea, and pressure or pain bellow the belly button, according to Johns Hopkins.
Sometimes another symptom can be strange and scary: Confusion and even delirium. One woman who experienced this began seeing common objects loom before her in giant size. Suddenly, she couldn't find her way home on very familiar streets. She thought she was going crazy, but a trip to the doctor solved the problem in one day.
It's crucial to get treated for UTIs, which can be diagnosed with a simple urine test. Untreated UTIs are very dangerous and can spread infection from the bladder to kidneys, or to the bloodstream.
If you have had a UTI before, focus on prevention by drinking lots of water.
Eat high-probiotic food such as pickles, sourdough bread, cottage cheese, peas, sauerkraut, or kimchi.
Take showers instead of baths.
Wear cotton underwear.
Allyson Good curates senior living, health, and family content. She is formerly the Managing Editor of Active Life, a print newspaper published in 2016-2017 for seniors, choosing practical articles on health, money, safety, and everyday living for older readers. She is also an avid gardener and offers up Garden Hints and Tips on a regular basis.
