Cause Of Urine Odor Needs Diagnosis

December 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a rather healthy 78-year-old female. In the last six months I have developed a very embarrassing condition. My urine is very strong and has an offensive odor. I do not leak urine but I can smell it even though I use scented wipes after each trip to the bathroom. I wonder if you can tell me which of my medications is causing this problem. I take 40 mg pravastatin, 30 mg adalat, 20 mg omeprazole DR, 200 mg prometrium, 0.5 mg estradiol, 81 mg baby aspirin, 600 mg calcium with D, vitamin C 1000 mg, vitamin E 400 IU and omega 3/omega 6 fish oil 1200 mg each day.

DEAR READER:
Let me first go through your medication list to determine why you are taking so much medication. You are taking five prescriptions and five over-the-counter supplements. [Read more...]

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Dry Cath Insertions Potentially Harmful

December 15, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 82-year-old father was recently hospitalized in a Midwestern city with complications from a blood disorder. Medical staff assessed the need for a urinary catheter. The insertion was done with a dry tube surface. When he asked if they could “put something one it”, the female nurse told him to “just take a deep breath”.

The insertion was done twice, both times without lubricant. One of the results was bloody urine. My poor father said “Just imagine being 82 years old and having somebody do something like that to you”. When he told his hometown doctor she just abut came unglued. A male nurse also informed him that he always “lubes the tubes”.

My father is now unable to urinate on his own because of a blockage which his urologist says may have been due to damage caused by the dry insertions. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

December 2, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your column about the woman with treatment resistant UTIs with interest. I, too, was having this condition. When I asked my doctor why, he said he wasn’t certain about the cause but it could be bacterial. I figured if the cause was bacteria, perhaps betadine would help.

I simply started washing “down there” with the betadine and the infection was gone! Now if I feel a UTI starting, I immediately wash or add a few drops to a bottle of prepared douche. It immediately resolves the problem. I hope this helps some of your other readers.

DEAR READER:
Urinary tract infections can be difficult to treat, especially in women who have recurring or frequent infections. Typical treatment usually consists of a course of oral antibiotics but for individuals such as you, finding a simple home treatment to prevent them can be vital. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 29, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 97-year-old lady and have a pacemaker. I had two or three seizures but have not had anymore since the pacemaker was put in. I am now doing fine except that I have an irritated vagina and inner thighs.

While in the hospital, a nurse spilled urine all down my back and I was not given a bath for two days before leaving. I now have to urinate every two hours during the night and have a very odd dark red, half circle on my both of my inner thighs. It does not itch and fades during the night. What should I do?

DEAR READER:
First, I don’t believe that your symptoms have anything to do with the nurse who spilt the urine or the fact that you were not allowed to bathe afterward. I can say that I am truly appalled by the situation and disappointed in the staff for not immediately helping you wash up. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Last spring I had another colonoscopy (polyps had been found on a previous one). I was fine when I went it but have been ill every since. With other scopes I had no problems but this time I could barely get home. At the two week check up I told the doctor I had pain in my side, gas pressure and woke up many times at night to urinate. I was told it had nothing to do with the colonoscopy and that I probably just had a bladder infection. I then went to my regular doctor who gave me antibiotics. I continue to have all the same problems. I have since timed my nighttime urination to every one hour and twenty minutes. By the time I get back to sleep, I wake up because I have to go again.

It has now been three months since my symptoms started. Do you have any suggestions? [Read more...]

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Daily Column

July 13, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 72-year-old female. As I have gotten older I have noticed that my urine has become really strong and smelly and irritates my skin. I shower daily and use a moisturizing soap and use baby lotion when I have a rash. I have also tried special wipes and other creams but nothing seems to work. Do you have any suggestions?

DEAR READER:
I urge you to see your primary care physician to rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI). If left untreated, it can also lead to kidney infection. UTIs often cause odor, burning, itching, and pain.

A test called a culture and sensitivity (C & S) is simple, painless and usually takes only 24-48 hours to complete. If infection is present, the laboratory technicians will test the bacterial sensitivity to a variety of antibiotics to determine which is most effective. UTIs are usually simple to treat using antibiotics. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

June 7, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
A letter was published in our local newspaper from a lady who had numerous bladder infections. I, like her, was also in that state. I had numerous tests and was finally told my kidneys and bladder were okay, but there was one problem. I was not a water drinker, nor did I drink much liquid, period. My urologist said I must drink at least four 8 oz. glasses of water a day. I’m now free of bladder infections.

DEAR READER:
Water and other fluids are a vital part of everyone’s daily diet. I often receive letters from people who drink at least eight glasses of water a day, in addition to other fluids, because they have read they should do so for good health. My response is to drink when you are thirsty. However, in your case, your body apparently doesn’t signal you as it does others. Therefore, remembering to drink 32 ounces of water a day appears appropriate.

Another excellent means of combating UTIs is to drink 100% cranberry juice or taking cranberry extract gel caps at the first signs of an infection.

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Daily Column

May 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I used to have frequent, painful urinary tract infections.
It was suggested in the Cleveland Ostomy News from the Cleveland Ostomy Association that drinking a small amount of vinegar daily could prevent urinary tract infections. I have been drinking about a tablespoon mixed with water every day for about a year and have not had a single infection. I prefer wine vinegar over apple cider vinegar because it has a milder flavor. I have also heard that Alka-Seltzer can cure a urinary infection but have not had to try this thanks to the vinegar. I hope this helps some of your readers.

DEAR READER:
I have received several letters indicating vinegar as a good urinary tract infection (UTI) preventive. This is most likely due to its acidity.

You do not say if you have had appropriate testing to find out why you are having so many infections. However, I assume since you are receiving the Cleveland Ostomy News pamphlet that you have a colostomy (artificial opening in which urine and feces leave the body). If this is the case, UTIs are common and particularly difficult to treat.

I have not heard of the Alka-Seltzer remedy and cannot imagine how it could cure an infection. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and require antibiotics for treatment. Alka-Seltzer is an over-the-counter medication for stomach upset. If any of my readers have had experience using this remedy please let me know whether it was success or not.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

May 19, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 76-year-old male. I used to get up two or three times a night to urinate. After reading one of your columns in which you passed on a reader’s success with vitamin B6, I purchased a bottle. IT WORKS!

After three weeks of taking 200 mg per day, I was no longer getting up. If I consume a large amount of liquid late in the evening, I get up only once. It also comes with the added benefit of no headache in the morning because of a lack of sleep.

Thank you so much for passing on this information. It has truly made a great difference in my life.

DEAR READER:
I have had no experience with this alternative therapy but it appears to be harmless. I am glad you had positive results. However, as with every alternative remedy, I expect many patients will write me with negative comments. No therapy works for every person but for those it does, stick with it.

Night time urination is a common problem, especially as we age. It can have many causes from simply drinking too much liquid at night to a weakened bladder to bladder infection or cancer. It is always important to have thorough testing for persistent, frequent urination to rule out a serious cause. Home remedies are only acceptable for the treatment of benign causes.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other Readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

March 31, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 64-year-old female. I would like your opinion on my current urinary problem. For the last two years I have had recurring bladder infections. My primary physician sent me to a urologist who has done every available test. I have had X-rays, MRIs, scrapings and bladder emptying tests. They found that I have a kidney stone but it doesn’t appear to be bothering anything so it was left alone.

When these infections first started, there were several antibiotics that seemed to work. Now there is only one, Macrobid 100 mg. I take it two times a day for a full course immediately followed by Bactrim 400/80 mg once every night. My urologist said the Bactrim is supposed to “clean” my urine while I sleep.

I have followed these instructions for more than a year now. This therapy does not work. Three to five days after I finish the Macrobid, I have another infection! I am very worried about my kidneys. Will they eventually get infected too? What will happen when the Macrobid stops being effective? I have asked these questions of my urologist and the response is that only time will tell. Please help.

DEAR READER:
You appear to have a resistant chronic infection. This means that the infection is not being completely eradicated after finishing the course of Macrobid. This may be happening for several reasons. The most likely cause is that you are not being given the medication long enough. This could also explain why the infection is not responding to as many medications as it previously was. (If an antibiotic repeatedly fails to kill all the bacteria, they will eventually build up a resistance to it, making the medication ineffective.) Another possibility is that the infection is already in your kidneys. Kidney infections can be very difficult to treat because antibiotics do not readily penetrate the outer layers. A final option is that you have a combination infection. For example, the bacteria were not eliminated properly, built up a resistance to every antibiotic but Macrobid, moved into your kidneys and are persisting. In either case, I believe that you should take an extended course of antibiotics. Rather than the standard 10-day course (which I assume you receive on a regular basis), your urologist should try a one or two month course followed by testing to ensure the infection has been eliminated.

As an aside, the Bactrim does not appear to have any effect on your infection, if symptoms return after the Macrobid is stopped. Speak to your urologist about discontinuing the medication.

If your urologist is unwilling to listen to your concerns and make some appropriate changes to your current treatment, you should find someone else. A new physician will also bring a new perspective to the situation and may have other suggestions or treatments. If you decide to make the change, I recommend you seek out someone who is well-versed in chronic or recurring bladder infections in women.

This situation is not best handled by a wait-and-see format. Without proper treatment, the infection will only worsen. You need a physician willing to try different options.

Good luck and let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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