About
A large number of patients undergo ostomy surgery each year. According to an estimate, about 700,000 people in the EU have an ostomy. 40% of them have a temporary, while 60% have a permanent stoma. The physical impact of an ostomy is obvious: it creates a diversion in the excretory tract, which results in the waste passing out through the stoma. The other equally significant impact is psychological.
There are enormous psychological impacts of having a stoma. It can be a reason for decreased quality of life, which means that the emotional state of a person with an ostomy should be assessed regularly.
Loss of control over waste elimination is a significant and most obvious impact of having an ostomy. Other than that, there are several other challenges that ostomates face. Here are some of them.
In most of the cases, the real culprit behind emotional pressures is the underlying medical condition that has caused stoma formation. The stoma care considerations for a newer patient are different and more drastic, as the effect of illness and stoma surgery tend to alienate a patient from society, leading that person to have depression.
Loss of control over waste elimination is a significant and most obvious impact of having an ostomy. Other than that, there are several other challenges that ostomates face. Here are some of them.
- Fear of leakage
- Body image
- Sexual function
- Stigma
- Social isolation
- Fear of public exposure
- Helplessness
- Embarrassment
- Decreased mood
In most of the cases, the real culprit behind emotional pressures is the underlying medical condition that has caused stoma formation. The stoma care considerations for a newer patient are different and more drastic, as the effect of illness and stoma surgery tend to alienate a patient from society, leading that person to have depression.
Quality of life
Research, conducted from August 2013 to January 2015 in Egypt, based on the study of quality of life for patients with ostomies revealed that all of the patients reported one or more problems related to finding privacy to empty the pouch, managing leakages, and needing to find the right clothing to conceal the ostomy appliance.
This study emphasizes the need to redirect our attention to the health and wellbeing of ostomates by identifying appropriate solutions to challenges they face daily.
Research, conducted from August 2013 to January 2015 in Egypt, based on the study of quality of life for patients with ostomies revealed that all of the patients reported one or more problems related to finding privacy to empty the pouch, managing leakages, and needing to find the right clothing to conceal the ostomy appliance.
This study emphasizes the need to redirect our attention to the health and wellbeing of ostomates by identifying appropriate solutions to challenges they face daily.
Benefits of ostomy belts
Stoma belts can be very useful in rectifying most of the ostomy care related issues that can result in psychological problems for patients. A high-quality, breathable ostomy belt allows a person with a stoma to engage in almost all sorts of social and physical activities without worrying about issues such as noise, leakage, and visibility of the appliance. This belt ensures a snug pouch attachment that doesn’t result in the pouch getting squeezed.
Before choosing to use a belt or any other product that supports ostomy care, you may want to have a discussion with your doctor.
Stoma belts can be very useful in rectifying most of the ostomy care related issues that can result in psychological problems for patients. A high-quality, breathable ostomy belt allows a person with a stoma to engage in almost all sorts of social and physical activities without worrying about issues such as noise, leakage, and visibility of the appliance. This belt ensures a snug pouch attachment that doesn’t result in the pouch getting squeezed.
Before choosing to use a belt or any other product that supports ostomy care, you may want to have a discussion with your doctor.