About

A surgery, during which an opening is created in the abdominal wall, is termed as ostomy.

This hole is called stoma and it can be permanent or temporary depending on the type of ostomy. Large intestine is used in colostomy and the small intestine for ileostomy. These both surgeries allow the stool or gas to pass out of the body without passing through rectum. A surgery that allows urine to pass out of the body without passing the bladder is called urostomy. The waste from the body is collected in a pouch or bag called an ostomy bag. This bag is placed over the stoma, outside the body.

Some patients, such as patients of cancer, colostomy or ileostomy, demand ostomy just for a few months until the small or large intestine recovers. But in some cases a permanent ostomy is needed. For example urostomy is surgery that is permanent and it has no way back.

Adapting to ostomy

An ostomy will definitely bring a lot of dramatic changes in your life. Fortunately, nowadays, products have been introduced in the market that are to use and adapt.

If you face any difficulty in finding these products, you can ask help from your doctor or ostomy trainer. For instance, an ostomy nurse that was with you in the hospital can guide you in a very good manner about all kinds of pouches and according to your need.

Wearing and clothing: You need not to worry about your clothes. You will be allowed to wear the same type of clothes with the same fashion that you used to wear before the surgery. Nowadays, such pouches are in the market that will absolutely fit close to your body. No one can notice that you are wearing an ostomy bag. There is also a feature of an odor controller that traps the odor and prevents bad smell. The smell escapes out only when you empty your bag.

You can also get clothes that are specially designed for ostomy patients. Such as under garments and wraps that help to hold the pouch.

Routine Activities: You can continue your daily life activities. An ostomy patient can normally go to work, drive, play sports and continue their sexual activities. Appropriate activities cause no harm. But don’t do much work because the sweat can cause swelling and this will remove the tape from the stoma. In this case try to purchase a pouch that can allow work out.

Showering: The skin around your stoma should be kept dry and clean. Avoid using alcoholic products; it will leave your skin dry. Also don’t use oily products as it will cause your pouch to detach from the skin. You should keep the hairs shaved, that covers the area around the stoma. For  more details about showering you have to see you’re your doctor or trainer.

Diet:  If you had an ileostomy or colostomy then you can’t control the feces or gas , they will automatically pass out and accumulate in the pouch. So, the amount of feces or gas that will pass out depends on the kind of the ostomy and food your meal.

You should avoid gas causing food items. Such as onion, capsicum, cabbage and very spicy foods. You must chew your food well before swallowing it because large food particles may cause difficulty in passing through the ostomy. Be careful about the food items that can be the reason for diarrhea or constipation. If you have an ileostomy you must keep yourself hydrated, since the stool produced is very watery.

Medication: The people with colostomy or ileostomy take time to absorb medicine taken by mouth. That is why they are recommended to take medicines that are in liquid dosage. These will be more effective for them.

Some medicine can cause increased bowel movements, you must avoid them. Some painkillers or drugs can cause constipation. Also, some antibiotics can be the reason for the diarrhea.

Some drugs can upset your average urine level and cause urinary stones. To avoid such issues, contact your doctor.

Be careful about accidents: Your ostomy bag should be emptied many times a day. It is recommended by doctors to free your bag when it is half filled. Keep your ostomy essentials with you always. Get training about your diet and activities in order to avoid any kind of discomfort or accident.

Cancer Treatment: There are some rare cases when a cancer patient requires ostomy while continuing his cancer treatments. If you are having fatigue after the treatment you may hire a helper for your ostomy. In case of radiation therapy, the radiation might cause complications on your stoma. You must take advice from your doctor or any certified expert.

Emotional Support: Some people have insecurities and fears related to their ostomy. They feel uneasy to go to public places. Because they fear that people will notice their ostomy bag and make fun and ask questions. This is totally fine. In this case you can take help of a therapist. If this is done by any family member or friend this can be the best option. Also you can contact a counselor for a better help.