When “Something Feels Off,” Ask About a UTI

Not every new symptom is Alzheimer’s progressing.

If your loved one suddenly feels off, it might not be Alzheimer’s getting worse.
It could be a urinary tract infection (UTI)—even if it doesn’t look like one.

That single insight changed everything for our family.

Because for nearly a year, we missed the signs.

The UTI We Didn’t See Coming

It started with our mom needing to pee more often. Sometimes she’d say she had to go, but when she got to the bathroom, nothing would happen.

We chalked it up to disease progression—another frustrating symptom of a brain that no longer communicates clearly with the body.

There was no burning, no odor, and no complaints of pain—the symptoms you’d expect with a UTI. So we didn’t suspect one.

Then came the night sweats.

At first, we thought it was the room temperature. Then hormones. Then maybe our mom’s meds.

But she’d wake up completely soaked—head to toe—night after night.

Still no fever. Still no signs of pain.

We brought it up with her primary care doctor. Then her neurologist. Eventually, someone suggested testing for a UTI.

And there it was—a hidden infection. Our mom’s body had been quietly fighting it for months.

Why It’s So Easy to Miss

In Alzheimer’s, asymptomatic UTIs are incredibly common—and incredibly hard to spot. The usual signs (burning, odor, fever, pain) often don’t show up. Instead, you get:

Subtle behavior changes
Increased bathroom trips or urgency
Fatigue or confusion
Restlessness at night
Sweating (even just at night)
A feeling that something’s just off

And because these symptoms overlap with Alzheimer’s, we often assume it’s the disease getting worse.

But sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s a UTI.

What to Do: Advocate for a Simple Test

We’ve learned that when something doesn’t add up, it’s worth asking the doctor for a urine test—even if the symptoms seem small or strange.

Especially when your loved one:

Suddenly becomes more confused, anxious, or agitated.
Starts waking up drenched in sweat.
Feels the urge to urinate frequently without much output.
Has no other clear explanation for the change.

You don’t need to wait for burning or odor. Trust your gut and speak up.

Our New Routine

Since that experience, we’ve gotten better at catching UTIs early—and even preventing them.

Here’s what works for us:

Hydration – Drinking water throughout the day helps flush out bacteria before they can take hold.
Bathroom reminders – Gentle prompts reduce accidents and discourage holding it in.
Help with hygiene – We assist to make sure she wipes front to back—never back to front.
Switching to wipes – They’re easier to manage and more hygienic than toilet paper.
Stabilizing blood sugar – Keeping glucose levels steady helps the body fight off infections and recover faster.
Tracking “off” days – If something seems unusual—even small—we make a note. Patterns help us catch issues sooner.

You’re Not Imagining Things

If your loved one seems off, don’t doubt yourself.

We missed our mom’s UTI for nearly a year because it didn’t look the way we expected.

But when we finally got her tested, everything made sense.

She got better. Clearer. More like herself again.

That’s the hope we want to pass on to you.

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Soft, just the right size, and safe to flush. We keep the on-the-go packs everywhere—in the car, in our bags, in every bathroom. Because when you’re dealing with Alzheimer’s, prevention is everything.
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