Had to take Mother to ER after suspecting another UTI (she just got over the first one in Feb/March). Thought we were doing things right, even giving her pure cranberry juice, etc. but here we are. Likely won't get in to see her PCP for a couple of weeks. ER gave an antibiotic script. She's generally fine attending to herself in the bathroom but that may need to change. Are there any remedies/habits any of you rely on to help avoid reinfection? She's the type to get delirium so really want to avoid future issues. Thanks in advance.
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My mom's gyn recommended a probiotic called re-pHresh that keeps the pH environment of the vagina correct.
Finally, installing a bidet attachment might be well worth the initial cost if mom will use it.
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If Mom does not drink water, she needs to. Do not get soap near the urethra. Dr. told me this when DD was having UTI problems. If Mom still wears underwear, it should be cotton. If she is wearing pullups she may be allergic to the brand. (I can't use any Kotex products) She needs to clean herself well. I like Huggie wipes, they are big and thick.
Then, on AlvaDeer's advice from this forum, we had the staff start giving her d-mannose supplement (which we purchase on amazon.com and give to the staff to give to her daily). It has dramatically reduced the number of infections to almost 0 per year. The staff calls us when she is low on the pills.
I am not a fan of supplements for reasons I won't bore you with here. However, d-mannose is a simple sugar that doesn't interfere with other meds and can't be overdosed on. You basically pee it out (as we do most other supplements). From research I could find online there doesn't seem to be any danger in taking it, and some clinical evidence it does stave off UTIs. It clearly workes for my MIL.
Your Mom needs to be free and clear of an infection before giving it to her, only because if she still has an infection, the supplement will have no effect and will be wasted.
and sensitivity. I worked as a hospital micro tech. I know. Docs try
to save money by skipping this. DO NOT SKIP THIS. This helps explain
recurring infections.
UTI's seem to plague some older women. There are physiological reasons
for this. Women get more UTI's than men because of our anatomy.
Drink, drink, drink. Keep it flushed.
Wipe front to back.
Sometimes obese people have trouble with hygiene. They can't clean themselves well.
Sex - this can push bacteria up the urethra
Urine retention. Can she completely empty her bladder?
They say for kidney stones to drink lemonade or lemon water to keep your urine in the acid range. Also if you are drinking any kind of soda make it clear not colored.
Prayers
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