Dementia Symptoms With a UTI Seems Odd? — It's Not Unusual at All

Urinary tract infections may have strange side effects.

Photo by Ozan Safak on Unsplash

Recently I noticed my cousin did not remember a conversation we had yesterday.

Another time he was relating a discussion he had with his daughter an hour before and couldn't recall many details. I asked him to explain further, and he said he didn't know and that it was confusing and to ask her.

I paid attention for the next couple of days. We are close and see one another daily, so it was convenient for me to check in to see how Bob was doing, although he didn't know I was concerned.

His cognitive difficulties continued, and I wondered if this might be the start of dementia.

I discussed this with a friend, a nurse practitioner at the local Mayo Clinic. She suggested we check for a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). I was incredulous. What could a UTI possibly have to do with cognitive issues?

Absolutely everything, I found out.

And, yes, Bob does indeed have a UTI. It is easy to do an at-home test to determine this. The tests are available at your local drugstore or on Amazon.

He is in his 70s and has no other symptoms besides his confusion.

I explored this further and discovered some interesting data.

According to Pathways, an online website:

Even if your loved one hasn’t officially been diagnosed with dementia, you may notice that dementia-like symptoms, such as confusion, come on fairly quickly. Often this can be traced to the development of a UTI.

In addition, the Alzheimer's Society states:

UTIs can cause sudden confusion (also known as delirium) in older people and people and people with dementia. If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behavior, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI.

Fortunately, treatment for a UTI is straightforward — antibiotics will be given, and the infection and the symptoms will usually be cleared up.

Bob is now on an antibiotic course, and hopefully, he will be his old self again.

Please be aware that the usual symptoms younger people exhibit with urinary tract infections, such as burning when urinating, are often not present in our senior population.

Confusion and forgetfulness are more common in the older group, so be on the lookout for these in your elderly loved ones.

The Omicron Wave Was Deadlier Than Delta for Older People

 The dreaded virus keeps morphing and just won’t quit.

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

The above title grabbed my attention in The New York Times. I had to find out what was going on.

Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron — are all variants of the Covid-19 virus. What could be next?

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is constantly changing. New variants are an expected part of the virus's evolution, according to Yalemedicine.org. They add that "monitoring each one that surfaces is essential in ensuring the U.S. and globally are prepared."

Omicron is more transmissible than Delta was. However, Omicron is less severe. Yet, more data is needed to assess this variant's potential to cause severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

I don’t usually write about current happenings, yet Covid has been the exception. I first wrote about it in my article; A ‘Very, Very Contagious’ Coronavirus Subvariant Is Causing Cases to Rise Again, published on Medium on May 6, 2022.

Covid and me

I had Covid in early May, despite having two Pfizer vaccines and one booster. The advice is that we all should get the second booster.

I was holding out for the second booster as the information I gathered was that it may not be effective if another variant appeared. It could weaken our immunity to fight it off. Now, I wonder if this information was valid.

I had a fever of 99–101, for three days, with chest congestion and coughing. It has taken three weeks to feel the chest congestion ebbing and cough, too.

I am a robust, active senior who eats a healthy diet and exercises daily. I suspect this helped me have relatively minor symptoms.

Omicron symptoms were mild for most

The New York Times reports that the Omicron variant killed more older people during this winter's wave than it did last year. Many had long delays since their previous vaccine. This is even though Omicron’s symptoms are milder than the earlier variants.

While overall per capita Covid death rates have fallen, older people account for a greater share.

According to Andrew Stokes, an assistant professor in global health at Boston University who studies age patterns of Covid deaths: "This is not simply a pandemic of the unvaccinated. There's still exceptionally high risk among older adults, even those with primary vaccine series."

Due to this increase in deaths in those 65 and older, from Omicron, we are now strongly encouraged to get the second booster. Regardless of the information, that it could weaken our immunity should a new variant appear? It does get confusing.

Had I had the second booster, would I not have gotten Covid?

"I think we are going to see the death rates rising. It is going to become more and more risky for older adults as their immunity wanes," according to Dr. Sharon Inouye, a geriatrician and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

There you have it — the second booster is recommended.

We need to keep our immunity strong — at any age, but especially for the over 65 age bracket.

Anti-Covid pill as Omicron surges

Older adults and people with underlying conditions now have another way to fight Covid — Paxlovid. It is an antiviral drug that is now widely available through your physician if determined you are at high risk.

However, health officials are letting physicians know that they no longer need to restrict prescriptions to the highest-risk patients. Your symptoms do not have to be severe.

I asked my doctor today (I am recovered for four weeks) what her thoughts are about Paxlovid. She doesn’t advise taking it. Apparently, it lessens your symptoms the first few days but when one has finished the prescribed amount, symptoms may return.

It’s a conundrum — should we or should we not take Paxlovid? Everyone should always check with their health care professional for their opinion. The choice is always yours.

Masking up is always wise as you may be asymptomatic and unknowingly pass the virus on to unsuspecting people.

We must stay vigilant to stay safe.

Do You Know It's Important to Stay Present?— My LOL Moment

 We may try, yet sometimes it works out for the best if we don’t.

Photo by Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash

The older I get, the more important I know it is to stay in the present moment. Once you arrive into the Third Third of your life, every day is vital, not to be squandered.

In one of my many spiritual books, I recall reading that the best and easiest place to stay present is in the shower. 

We are trapped for several minutes without many distractions. Except for the mind, that is.

Keeping our minds in the shower

Every day I do my best to feel the water as it courses over my body. To luxuriate in the lather of my shampoo and the smooth silkiness of my hair condition.

About 20 seconds into it, I'm thinking about what is next on my agenda. Or should we barbeque chicken for dinner or maybe take-out?

Bringing myself back to the shower — I take in the aroma of the special soap I treat myself to. The package of my current bar, Garnet Grapefruit & Lily, tells me: "They're not just a cleanser, but a sensory experience to be savored daily."

Savored, really? I'm glad it gets me clean, and yes, I do enjoy the scent and the feel but never have I savored it. Gee, I guess I'm missing out.

Next up, let's give the legs a little shave, and what happens to my mind? It begins with thinking about what I will write about today on Medium.com.

That's a sure way to nick me with the razor.

But, wait. What am I doing? Writing about trying to stay present in the shower — so it's not all bad. Thinking about what to write gave me a topic to write about.

I got a chuckle out of that! Who knew I'd have my article for the day while in the shower. Gotta love that.

Staying present has been a hot topic for me personally

This topic — staying in the present isn't new to me, and I have written about it at least twice on Medium. You may want to check out Can You Enjoy Every Moment of Your Life Just as It Is Now?, published May 22, 2022, and This Moment in Time Will Not Be Repeated — Pay Attention to It Now, published April 22, 2022.

You can see, both articles were published within the past two months. Clearly, I am focusing on working on staying in the present. Working on are the operative words.

 Success? Not so much, but that isn't the point. The point is to bring ourselves back to the present moment as soon and as often as we can. And not to judge our success or failure.

When we notice ourselves drifting into thoughts rather than being here and now — shift back.

Maybe I'm easily distracted. Perhaps it's ADD. I'm not being disrespectful to those who deal with ADD or ADHD — it is a possibility that could be an issue for me. And you?

Do you find your mind wandering when attempting to stay on track with a project?

Do we have too much on our proverbial plates?

Maybe. If we do, then let's figure out how to unload them. 

Maybe delegate more to family members? Hire someone? Use all the conveniences that have popped up during Covid for meal prep or delivery?

Yet bringing yourself back to the moment as often as it takes is how to take care of the present.

My distractions worked out well this time

Back to my shower — I got clean, hair washed, and conditioned, and wrote this story in my head in about 10 minutes.

I'm usually not so lucky. Articles tend to take more time and maybe research, but this one was born perfectly. 

Even though I didn't pay attention to every second of my shower, I accomplished more in that 10 minutes than I'd planned.

Let's slow down and take it one moment at a time. We never know if we'll be here for the next blessed beat of our hearts.

Do You Feel Safe From COVID Exercising In Your Gym Right Now?

Hardworking exercisers are expelling an alarming amount of spittle.

Photo by Inspired Horizons Digital Marketing on Unsplash

Two years ago, many gyms closed temporarily when Covid spread and became a pandemic.

The gym I regularly attended stayed open but instituted several changes they believed made it safer for members.

They separated the equipment by putting several feet between them. An employee was assigned the task of wiping down all equipment continually.

The classes were limited to the number of participants so that at least six feet were between each exerciser. To get into the class, one had to register online. It was a battle to get a spot — first come, first served.

I decided not to go at all. Six feet with a dozen other sweating, panting people didn't feel safe.

Some gyms opted to move the equipment outdoors if there was space. This worked well until the temperatures rose in the summer months.

My choice was to lift weights at home, hike the trails, walk through the neighborhoods and play pickleball outdoors.

Now that the rules have been relaxed and most Americans have received vaccines, gyms are open, and most are operating at full capacity.

I know my gym is back to pre-Covid day rules. Classes are full, no longer requiring six feet, and the equipment is lined up closely.

I'm not participating in any of it.

I'm still maintaining my exercise routine as it was during the high time of Covid, with one exception. When the temperature is sizzling — playing pickleball at an indoor court with three others I know well.

Still, I got Covid. I haven't any idea where or from whom. That said, we can't be too careful.

Omicron is spreading like crazy; infections are up, but, fortunately, symptoms are mild.

Is it safe to return to the gym?

A small study about respiration and exercise published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides frightening answers.

According to the New York Times, the study checked the number of aerosol particles 16 people exhaled at rest and during workouts.

These tiny bits of airborne matter — measuring barely a few hundred micrometers in diameter, or about the width of a strand of hair, and suspended in mist from our lungs — can transmit coronavirus if someone is infected, ferrying the virus lightly through the air from one pair of lungs to another.

The study found that, at rest, the men and women breathed out about 500 particles per minute., But when they exercised, that total soared 132-fold, topping out above 76,000 particles per minute, on average, during the most strenuous exertion.

People are working out to have a trim, muscular and healthy body. Instead, they are inhaling and sharing with their fellow exercisers over 3,800,000 bits of possible Omicron laded aerosol particles per a typical 50-minute class— per person.

There have been several reports of classes where Covid was spread by an infected instructor.

In South Korea, following a Zumba class, 54 attendees developed Covid and then passed it on to their families. All ten members of a spin class in Hawaii became infected by their instructor, as did another 11 who came in contact with one of the infected class members, who taught kickboxing and is a personal trainer.

There have been extensive super-spreader events at gyms since 2020.

Scientists speculate that the exercisers' high respiration rates and inadequate ventilation contributed to this crazily rapid spread of Covid.

"Good ventilation and air exchange are a great way to reduce transmission risk. Open windows, especially with fans, can often be as effective as active ventilation systems," said Dr. Chris Cappa, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of California, Davis.

Installing in-room air filters in each workout area is ideal. Dr. Cappa adds, "These can be really effective in reducing transmission risk by removing the virus from the air."

Meanwhile, I'll continue with my outdoor exercise routine until it's safe to go back to the gym.

Can You Enjoy Every Moment of Your Life Just as It Is Now?

Being happy exactly where you are is the only way to live.

Photo by Sonnie Hiles on Unsplash

I walked on the paved trail alongside the creek this morning. Beautiful and sacred Mount Tamalpais is keeping guard over all who pass by.

There were quite a few others out for exercise. A young dad with his son riding a tiny two-wheeler alongside while dad jogs. I overhear the boy asking his dad questions about running the bases, sparking my memories.

A couple in their 60s is walking two dogs, one a Golden Retriever, Buttercup. I had to stop and chat as I missed my Golden, Merlin. He’s with hubby in Arizona while I am in California visiting family and friends.

Two beautiful women, probably in their 20s, jog by. Strong and energetic.

I remember those days. Running was my go-to form of exercise throughout my 30s-50s. Now, I hike, walk and play pickleball to keep in good health.

I don’t miss the days of running, though I enjoyed it immensely then. I’m happy to have taken a slower course to keep in shape.

The young dad who passed by with his little boy — so sweet in their adoring relationship.

I loved it when my boys were young. Such a busy time — Little League games to attend in the Spring, soccer in the Fall. School days, homework, carpooling, mothering. It was all wonderous — then.

I’m so glad those days are behind me, as much as I enjoyed them. Mostly, I enjoyed them. The tough times are forgotten. Only the lovely memories remain.

I’m settled into a comfortable, retired life now.

Writing on Medium daily and weekly on my blog keeps me busy. Walking Merlin every morning with pickleball games several times a week.

Cooking has been scaled back, as well. I’m no longer into large gourmet meals. The quicker the prep and clean-up, the better.

I love my life. It’s a good life. Satisfying, creative, energetic, and healthy.

Are you content where you are in your life? Have you settled into a routine that pleases you?

If you’re young and in career or parenting mode — appreciate every moment. I know it’s cliche — but time truly does fly.

Go for your dreams. Keep your vision for what you want — clear and close. But, do not only look to the future.

Enjoy every day. Every beat. We don’t know what the next moment will bring. Or the next breath. Stay present.

We can relax. Everything we want is right here in the present moment. — Thich Nhat Hanh.