What Are the Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Elderly Men?

While men are less likely than women to have frequent urinary tract infections, or UTIs, elderly men are at a disadvantage. UTIs are common in elderly men due to weakened urinary muscles, catheters and difficulty with cleaning themselves. In a long-term care setting, a UTI is almost inevitable, as the patient is usually bedridden and often unable to communicate.

Weakened Urinary Muscles/Incontinence

• As a man ages, his bladder muscles weaken. When a young person urinates, he empties his entire bladder. Many elderly men, however, do not because their muscles are too weak. This leaves in the bladder residual urine that becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria. If the muscles weaken enough, a man can become completely incontinent, unable to hold in his urine or feces. Incontinence greatly increases the risk for a UTI.

Improper Perineal Care

• Perineal refers the area surrounding the genitals and anus. To properly clean the area,you must wipe if from front to back or from genitals to anus. Going the opposite way introduces bad bacteria to the urethra and heightens the risk of an infection. In uncircumcised men, the area under the foreskin must be cleaned thoroughly after ever urination, or residual urine will collect under the skin and bacteria will enter the urethra.

Catheters

• Incontinent men may be fitted with a catheter in the hope of avoiding UTIs. Catheters, however, only lower the risk of UTIs if they are properly cleaned and changed regularly. Fecal matter often finds its way onto the catheter and is introduced into the urethra. As the man is incontinent, there is no way to prevent this. The catheter tube must be cleaned thoroughly after every defecation and must be changed regularly according to doctor's instructions.

Enlarged Prostate

• An enlarged prostate, or prostatitis, is the swelling of the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra and secretes a substance that slows bacterial growth. An abnormal prostate lowers the protection against bacteria entering the urinary system, leaving the man at a higher risk for infection.

Kidney Stones

• Kidney stones can block the passage of urine through the urethra, leaving residual urine in the tract and introducing bacteria and infection. Kidney stones are common in elderly men who are dehydrated or have a history of kidney infection.