Tag Archives: stoma

Some Important Facts about Your Stoma

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An ostomy surely tends to have an impact on your daily life but not when you are fully prepared for it. So your best shot at living a happy and healthy life even with your stoma is to know about it. This way, you will be able to adjust your routine right according to your requirements.

Important facts about stoma

As mentioned above, an ostomy changes things quite a bit in your life. The best way to control it effectively is to gain some knowledge about it. It is just a matter of accepting that you are going to have to live with something that has the tendency to affect your life. And then you have to be in a right state of mind to gain knowledge about it to manage it so that you could live an active and healthy life.

Signs of a healthy stoma

Right after the surgery, the stoma will be swollen. Its process of shrinking back to its permanent size may take a number of weeks or months. In this scenario, it is very important to know what a healthy stoma looks like. The signs of healthy stoma include:

  • Pink or red in color
  • Slightly moist
  • Not painful
  • Quick to bleed when rubbed or washed, but the bleeding should subside in a short amount of time

Other important facts

  • Stoma drainage: The stomal output should be emptied into the pouch. And you have to make sure that that it is not leaking under the skin barrier. In case you have a urostomy and the urine coming out of your stoma has blood in it, you need to contact your stoma care nurse.
  • Temporary stomas: Temporary stoma is a loop or double-barrel. This ostomy has a supporting device which is called rod or bridge. This stoma is removed after two weeks.
  • Peristomal skin: Peristomal skin is the skin around stoma. Remember, this skin should not have any rash, irritation or redness, and it should be a normal skin just like anywhere else on your body. This skin can be protected from irritation, which is caused by drainage, with the help of a properly fitting barrier. To keep this skin healthy, you are going to have to develop a habit of cleaning it while changing barrier. Be cautious about the redness, swelling, rash, or irritation on this part of the skin.
  • Types of pouching system: Remember, the type of pouch you need to use depends upon the type of surgery you had. There are different types of pouches from different manufacturers available for each kind of stoma.

Things to Consider About Colostomy Irrigation

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If you have a sigmoid or descending colostomy, you can train your color to empty it at a regular time every day. This process is referred to as irrigating. Your doctor is the person to tell you if you are a good candidate for this process.

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What are the benefits of colostomy irrigation?

It’s mainly the matter of whether the colostomy irrigation is right for you. If it is, it is going to offer you several advantages.

  • You can wear a small stoma cap or a low profile small pouch.
  • You are not going to have to do frequent pouch changes.
  • You will have a sense of freedom.

How does the colostomy irrigation work?

The process of colostomy irrigation is done with the help of a tool which is pretty similar to enema. It is placed in the stoma. The first irrigation will be done by the healthcare team. Then you will be taught about how to do it at home. Now let’s talk about the process of colostomy irrigation.

  • You will have to allow one hour for the process of colostomy irrigation.
  • The special irrigation equipment will be used to place water into your stoma.
  • The equipment which is used during this process includes an irrigation bag, a sleeve, and a stoma cone.
  • After the irrigation is done, you can either use a stoma cap or attach a one or two-piece closed pouch to protect the stoma.

You will be able to determine the exact timing of stoma irrigation with the help of your ostomy care nurse. You may have to do this irrigation process on daily basis but it should be a problem once the process becomes a part of your daily routine.

Is colostomy irrigation right for you?

Yes, you are going to have to be eligible for colostomy irrigation because it is not appropriate for everyone. You will certainly not get a recommendation for this procedure if you have a urostomy or ileostomy. Even if you have a colostomy, you are going to have to talk to your health physician to discuss about whether or not you can do this procedure on daily basis. A few things that need to be considered in this regard are as under.

  • Remember, irrigation is a time commitment. It takes at least an hour.
  • You need to have irrigation equipment. And there is a fixed time slot that you have to get in order to perform this irrigation.
  • You are going to have to be persistent. It will take at least 8 weeks for your bowels to become properly regulated.
  • Last but not the least; you will have to be physically capable of doing this procedure without any help.

Again, you need to ask your doctor or nurse whether or not you are a good candidate for colostomy irrigation.