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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Avoid Reoccurrence Of UTI When Paralyzed?

My mother aged 69yrs had been operated for brain tumour on Jan 2013. There were some complications which left her paralyzed from the left side and is bed ridden. Since her hospitalization she is continously getting urinary tract infection. She is in diapers. We take a lot of precaution to make her avoid passing stool in the diapers. Still, her UTI is persistent. She has become resistant to a lot of antibiotics. Oral antibiotics don't work on her. Please suggest an effective way to help avoid further occurrence of UTI.
Thu, 13 Feb 2014
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Urologist 's  Response
Hi,
The cause for your mother's persistent UTI is most probably the use of diapers. Diapers increase local moisture and cause contamination of harmful bacteria from anal region into area around urethra (tube through which urine flows from bladder to exterior).
It is important to evaluate your mother's bladder and bowel status so that we can decide if we can manage her without diapers. If she has occasional urinary leaks in between normal passage of urine, this condition can be improved with medications to relax the bladder.
If diaper use is unavoidable, please take the following precautions to prevent further recurrence of UTI:
1. Change diaper frequently. Check the diaper at least once every two hours. Wet diaper promotes growth of bacteria. If diaper is soiled with stools, it should be changed immediately. Try using diapers with more absorbent capacity.
2. Try giving diaper free periods by using absorbent mats for some hours to reduce local moisture.
3. Provide regular baths and dry local area with towel. Avoid tub baths.
4. Always wipe clean from front to back while changing diapers. This prevent entry of bacteria from anus region to urethra. Use non-scented baby wipes.
5. Make her drink at least 2 liters of fluid (if her kidney and heart condition allows this). This promotes flushing of bacteria from bladder.
6. Apply estrogen cream around urethra and in vagina twice a day. This makes the region healthy and promotes growth of good bacteria.
7. Try supplements like Cranberry extract capsules (reduces adhesion of bacteria to bladder), D-mannose (,makes bacteria clump to one another and get flushed out) and probiotics (increases good bacteria around urine passage).
It is important to rule out any other cause of persistent UTI, by getting an ultrasonogram of kidneys and bladder(e.g. increased residual urine inside bladder after passing urine, stones etc.).
I am available for any further clarifications.
Wish your mother good health,
Best regards,
Dr. Raguram.
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How To Avoid Reoccurrence Of UTI When Paralyzed?

Hi, The cause for your mother s persistent UTI is most probably the use of diapers. Diapers increase local moisture and cause contamination of harmful bacteria from anal region into area around urethra (tube through which urine flows from bladder to exterior). It is important to evaluate your mother s bladder and bowel status so that we can decide if we can manage her without diapers. If she has occasional urinary leaks in between normal passage of urine, this condition can be improved with medications to relax the bladder. If diaper use is unavoidable, please take the following precautions to prevent further recurrence of UTI: 1. Change diaper frequently. Check the diaper at least once every two hours. Wet diaper promotes growth of bacteria. If diaper is soiled with stools, it should be changed immediately. Try using diapers with more absorbent capacity. 2. Try giving diaper free periods by using absorbent mats for some hours to reduce local moisture. 3. Provide regular baths and dry local area with towel. Avoid tub baths. 4. Always wipe clean from front to back while changing diapers. This prevent entry of bacteria from anus region to urethra. Use non-scented baby wipes. 5. Make her drink at least 2 liters of fluid (if her kidney and heart condition allows this). This promotes flushing of bacteria from bladder. 6. Apply estrogen cream around urethra and in vagina twice a day. This makes the region healthy and promotes growth of good bacteria. 7. Try supplements like Cranberry extract capsules (reduces adhesion of bacteria to bladder), D-mannose (,makes bacteria clump to one another and get flushed out) and probiotics (increases good bacteria around urine passage). It is important to rule out any other cause of persistent UTI, by getting an ultrasonogram of kidneys and bladder(e.g. increased residual urine inside bladder after passing urine, stones etc.). I am available for any further clarifications. Wish your mother good health, Best regards, Dr. Raguram.