Mailbag! [Warning] New Threat Found in Nursing Homes
By
Natalie Moore
Posted May 4, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
Nursing homes can be dangerous places. Oftentimes they are understaffed and overpopulated, which can lead to all sorts of health issues.
But it looks like there’s more to worry about…
You see, scientists have discovered something that’s truly terrifying — a quarter of all nursing home patients already have dangerous bacteria in their bodies.
And these bacteria are just waiting to turn into deadly infections.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to keep your loved ones safe from one of these nasty bugs.
Let’s dive in…
Natalie,
I’m responsible for my elderly aunt’s care. She is currently in a nursing home. Many friends have warned me that she might get an infection caused by drug-resistant bacteria. I’ve heard this before about hospitals but wasn’t sure if this is also true in nursing homes. If so, is there anything I can do to help prevent her from getting one?
Thanks,
Jolene D.
Excellent question, Jolene. Many folks with relatives in long-term care facilities have the same worries.
Just like hospitals, nursing homes are breeding grounds for all types of bacteria.
Many of these bacteria are extremely threatening to your health because they’re antibiotic resistant and incredibly hard to treat.
But that’s not the worst of it…
You see, a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that over a quarter of nursing home residents have colonies of multidrug-resistant bacteria in their bodies.
What’s worse, these colonies can easily grow into a full-blown infection.
And since nursing home patients are more susceptible to infection because of their age and health status, these infections can sometimes result in death.
Exposure to these types of germs is nearly impossible to avoid in a nursing home setting, but there are a few ways to help protect your aunt.
First, ask her nursing home staff if they have an infection control plan that’s been updated recently. If not, try to move her to a facility that does. Infection control is essential to preventing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, and infection control plans should always be up-to-date.
Second, talk to her doctor about antibiotic resistance. Explain your concerns, and always be sure to inquire about any prescribed antibiotics, as they are often overprescribed.
Lastly, ask her doctor about adding a probiotic to her treatment plan. Probiotics can help strengthen gut bacteria, which can reduce the risks of complications that come with antibiotic use.
Do you have health questions you want answered? Drop me a line: feedback@livingwelldaily.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] A quarter of nursing home residents are colonized with drug-resistant bacteria
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Slim Down with This FAT-BURNING Hack
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, There’s more weight-loss advice out there than there are stars in the sky. Much of it’s complicated, strenuous, or downright impossible to follow. With the promise of slimming down, people push everything from extreme exercise to gross drinks you must hold your nose to gulp down. But the MOST common...
Slash Your Risk for THIS Painful Diabetic Nerve Condition
Diabetes is HARD on seniors. Sure, younger people can also develop diabetes-linked kidney disease, heart disease, or even brain problems. But when you mix high blood sugar with advanced age, all those conditions tend to progress faster and become more severe. Case in point: peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when blood sugar levels rise and...
Surprising Walking Benefits REVEALED
We live in a fast-paced society. And we’re expected to keep the pedal to the metal at work and fill the little leisure time we allow ourselves with as many activities as possible… We demand a 24/7 news cycle, instant updates on our phones, and lightning-fast internet speeds… In a culture where most people judge...
Your Sleep Habits Can Damage THIS Organ [ALERT]
I’m a sleep evangelist. Because getting quality sleep is CRITICAL for good health. You simply can’t have one without the other. In fact, regularly missing out on a good night’s sleep raises your risks for heart issues, mood disorders, weight gain, blood sugar irregularities, and brain problems. Bur new research raises a red flag about...
MAILBAG: Ease Annoying Allergy Symptoms
“My allergies have been so terrible the last few weeks and my allergy medicine isn’t really doing anything. What can I do?” – Darlene from Chesapeake, Virginia Hi Darlene, There are two steps I typically recommend to tackle troublesome allergies. The first is to focus on nutrients. Begin by getting enough magnesium, folic acid, and carotenoids...
Drug Company FAILS to Respond to Heartburn Drug Risk
Type the word “Zantac” into any search engine, and the first thing likely to come up is “Zantac lawsuit.” And the reason WHY people are suing the drug’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is a twisted tale that’ll turn your stomach… The drug company allegedly took a page straight out of big tobacco’s playbook. And as a...
"Splash Hack" DOUBLES the Benefits of Your Morning Brew
I love coffee. I roast my own beans. I have a fancy coffee maker. The WHOLE nine yards. Of course, I love the bright, bitter punch of flavor I get in every sip. And there’s nothing like the jump-start coffee gives my brain in the morning. But I also know that coffee has bunches of...
Ocean Organism KILLS Resistant Cancer Cells
Cancer treatments essentially come in two “flavors.” There are the sickening meds that poison the cancerous cells (and sometimes the healthy ones, too), like chemotherapy. Or there are the physical “slash and burn” options such as surgery and radiation. There are times that either or both might be necessary. But let’s face it, cancer treatments...
Nutrient Fix for Deadly "Orphan Condition"
Venous thromboembolism is what I call an “orphan condition.” The chances are high that you’ve never even heard of it before. But we should discuss it more often because it’s underdiagnosed, SERIOUS, and preventable. A (VTE) happens when a blood clot forms in a vein. When that clot is in a DEEP vein (usually in...
"Liquid Gold" Packs a Powerful Healing Punch
Bone broth has popped up on grocery store shelves nationwide in the last few years. And I couldn’t be happier about it! I love to drink bone broth. But I used to have to make my own “liquid gold.” And to be honest… it’s time-consuming. Now, you can pop down to your local supermarket and...