Urinary Tract Infection in Elderly

[Rodge]

A relative aged 75 suddenly started having falls last week. She would be OK, then just feel very weak before she would swing around and fall to the floor. She then showed signs of a urinary tract infection, and the doctor confirmed this. The UTI is showing signs of improvement after 2 days on antibiotics, but she says her legs feel really weak still and she can hardly support herself. Is the weakness likely to be caused by the UTI? Thanks.

[Danni79]

My nan had a few UTIs and it really affected her brain. She acted like she had had a stroke very weak and very confused - so yes from personal experience rather than medical I think this may still be echos of the UTI but if it continues for a long time a trip to the docs wouldn't hurt x x ps - also when my nan started to have falls she lost alot of confidence in walking which made her shakey on her feet x

[helsbels666]

Yes, when an elderly patient presents with 'non specific' symptoms such as\weakness, confudion, falls etc we must always think of UTI. The disturbance of electrolytes during an infection really knocks them off and can take weeks to get over x

[campbellking]

Ask your G.P. for a referral to a community physio who can come out and have a look at your relative. Some also run 'falls groups' that work on balance with older people and give them back their confidence.