🔥 Inconvenient. Uncomfortable. Frustrating.

Those are all great ways to describe urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs. And another word to describe UTIs is common, as in very common. UTIs make for 8 million doctor visits annually in the U.S. alone. 1   Women are more likely than men to experience UTIs, and until recently, UTIs were seen as somewhat isolated incidents.

But today, the research is piling up when it comes to your cognitive health and the gut-bladder axis, a connection to your gut biome.

Historically, we’ve often looked at a variety of infections and inflammations in the body as isolated issues, but now we are beginning to understand the interconnectedness of a variety of common issues. With UTIs, the medical community is looking more closely into the role of the gut biome. 2   This is an important advancement because, at the same time this work is happening, researchers are also learning more about the gut biome and cognitive health. In some cases, it can be a bit like trying to determine which came first, the UTI or the cognitive and gut issues. But there is a link, a connection for many patients, one that researchers are working to understand more fully.

Adults with dementia have a higher risk of UTIs. 3   And UTIs can drive cognitive confusion and delirium. It’s a vicious cycle, and one that can be difficult to untangle. An adult patient with dementia might not indicate that they’re having bladder pain or pain with urination, but the UTI is causing greater confusion for them. 

While these nuances continue to be researched, it does point to the important connection between bladder health and cognitive function. The bladder can be an important signal as to overall gut biome and cognitive health, meaning that it’s important to protect your bladder function.

Baby Your Bladder and Upgrade Your Urinary Health

#️⃣ Know your blood sugar numbers: If you feel like you are suddenly dealing with UTIs in a way you haven’t in the past, consider asking your provider to look at your blood sugar levels. Higher blood sugar levels, particularly if they’re at the prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes levels, put someone at higher risk for UTIs. 4

🥤 Hydrate, hydrate: You likely already know the importance of drinking plenty of water for your overall health. And that goes for your bladder as well. Your kidneys and bladder operate best when you make adequate water intake part of your daily routine. But that’s not the only water you need for optimal bladder and urinary tract health. Make sure you’re washing the urogenital area consistently, no harsh soaps allowed. This includes prior to and after intimate encounters with your spouse, after exercising, and daily bathing routines. 5 

🧴 HRTs, please: For women in particular, UTIs often increase during perimenopause and menopause. This is because the tissues in the urinary tract area become thinner and more susceptible to infection as hormone levels drop. For this reason, many women’s health practitioners are recommending hormone replacement therapy as a way to protect against frequent UTIs. Topical estrogen in particular helps protect urogenital health and may help reduce the incidence of UTIs. 6  “Estrogen deprivation is the most likely cause of chronic UTIs in the menopausal woman,” writes Dr. Mary Clarie Haver, OBGYN and menopause expert.

☔ If confusion or agitation increases with an elderly family member, be sure to mention this to their medical provider and ask for a UTI test: It can be tricky to spot the possibility of a UTI with a family member who is dealing with dementia. If your family member becomes unusually disoriented or agitated, be sure to contact their provider and ask about the possibility of a UTI. “What we see too often is families watching their loved one suddenly become confused or withdrawn, thinking it’s just aging or dementia getting worse, “ says Richard Stefanacci, D.O. “In reality, it could be something as treatable as a UTI.”

📳 Treating a UTI can be a simple phone call: If you’re a Member of Altrua HealthShare, getting help with a suspected UTI is easy with your HealthWallet app. Make a quick telehealth appointment with a medical provider, and they’ll be able to help quickly determine the best course of action to help you feel better fast. (If you’re not yet an Altrua HealthShare Member or have questions about how to best use your membership, contact a Member Service Representative at 1-888-244-3839).

As we learn more about UTIs and their connection to cognitive health, and as more findings are on the way, make keeping your urinary tract system healthy a priority. It’s not just to avoid the pain, medical expense, and frustration of dealing with UTIs; it’s also an important aspect of overall health.

1  https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/urologyhealth-extra/magazine-archives/summer-2016/understanding-utis-across-the-lifespan
2  https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/study-links-gut-microbiome-dysbiosis-recurrent-urinary-tract-infections
3  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40273037/
4  https://healthmatch.io/diabetes/diabetes-and-bladder-infections
5  https://www.urologic.com/blog/tips-for-keeping-your-genitals-clean-to-prevent-a-uti#:~:text=If%20you%20want%20to%20enjoy,over%20the%20phone%20with%20Dr.
6  https://www.prosayla.com/articles/vaginal-estrogen-for-the-prevention-of-recurrent-urinary-tract-infections#:~:text=Recurrent%20urinary%20tract%20infections%20(rUTIs)%20are%20a,and%20recurrence%20of%20UTIs%20in%20postmenopausal%20women.