3 Subtle Clues That Your Patient May Have A Urinary Tract Infection

Health & Medical Blog

If you are an in home caregiver (like one from Accu-Care Nursing Service Inc), you are probably trained to pick up on signs and symptoms of a wide variety of illnesses. There are, however, a number of very subtle symptoms or clues that may not raise red flags in regards to urinary tract infections. While burning upon urination, an increase or decrease in urinary output, cloudy urine, or blood in the urine are the most common signs of a urinary tract infection, the following subtle symptoms may also indicate the presence of an infection in your patient's urinary tract:

Confusion

Confusion may be the first subtle clue that your patient has a urinary tract, or bladder infection. A bladder infection can affect the kidneys, and when this happens, the renal system may lose its effectiveness in ridding the body of toxins.

Subsequently, the build up of toxins can accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to lethargy and confusion. If your patient becomes confused, make an appointment with the physician, who will determine if a urinary tract infection is present or if there is another underlying cause for the confusion. Treatment for a bladder infection includes taking antibiotics, increasing water intake, avoiding caffeinated beverages, and taking pain relief medications. 

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain may also mean that a bladder infection is present. A urinary tract infection can cause bladder spasms and inflammation of the ureters, both of which can cause lower abdominal or pelvic pain. To soothe discomfort, a heating pad set to low or a hot water bottle placed on the lower abdomen can help relax the bladder, while relieving pain.

Always remember to turn off the heating pad when your patient goes to bed to avoid burns. A warm bath can also help relieve pelvic pain as can taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed by the patient's physician. 

Loss Of Appetite

While loss of appetite can be related to many different causes including liver dysfunction, congestive heart failure, neurological disease, and even depression, it can also mean that your patient has a urinary tract infection.

The loss of appetite from a bladder infection may be related to a low grade fever, the build up of toxins in the bloodstream, bladder pain, and the inflammatory process that typically accompanies an infection.

If your patient doesn't have much of an appetite, call the physician. In the meantime, offer bland foods such as toast, cereal, tea, bananas, and soups. Even if the individual doesn't want to eat, it is still very important to encourage fluid intake to avoid dehydration. 

If you notice that your patient has any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with the physician. The sooner a urinary tract infection is recognized and treated, the less likely it will progress to the kidneys and renal system.

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30 November 2016