A surgically created diversion in the urinary or intestinal tract to reroute bodily waste to a surgically created opening (stoma) in the abdomen is known as an ostomy. A stoma is a bud-like protrusion above the surface of the abdominal skin. It is pink, moist, and round with no nerve ending, which means that it doesn’t feel any pain. Your doctor may recommend an ostomy for you if your intestinal or urinary tract is too diseased to support normal passage of waste towards natural excretory point. The part of the intestine used in the construction of the stoma defines the types of ostomy. For instance, a colostomy involves the creation of the stoma from a part of the colon. The intestine is brought through an incision in the abdomen and stitched to the skin. An ileostomy, on the other hand, involves the creation of a stoma by bringing out the end of the small intestine, bypassing the entire colon. A urostomy is a different type of ostomy that involves the use of a small piece of the ileum. One end of that piece appears in the abdominal skin to form a stoma, while the other end is connected to ureters. This diversion bypasses the bladder. The underlying conditions that lead a person requiring an ostomy may include cancer of the bowel or bladder, inflammatory bowel disease, and perforation of the colon. An injury may also lead to a person needing an ostomy. Pouching systems A stoma doesn’t have any sphincters, which means when there is a bowel movement or kidneys pass the urine to ureters, there is no way for the patient to control or stop that flow until getting to the toilet. That’s why it is crucial for a person with an ostomy to use an ostomy pouch that collects waste from the stoma. This pouch or bag fits over the stoma and attached with the peristomal skin utilizing a skin barrier, which has an adhesive side that goes against the abdominal skin. You can choose an appropriate ostomy pouch based on the type of ostomy, consistency of waste, and your preferences. You can either use a one-piece or two-piece ostomy pouch. Both these bags can be drainable or closed-end. A one-piece ostomy bag integrates the pouch and the skin barrier to form a single unit, while a two-piece ostomy bag consists of a pouch and a skin barrier and two separate entities that can be connected. If you are using a two-piece ostomy bag, you can detach the pouch from the barrier, while the barrier remains attached to the skin.
You can empty the pouch when it’s full if you are using a drainable ostomy pouch. It allows you to keep the bag on for a few days. There are several cases in which the use of a closed-end pouch is an appropriate option. It all depends on your preferences and circumstances. The topic of ostomy pouches must include a discussion about how to care for your stoma and peristomal skin. Make sure that your skin is healthy enough to support a tighter seal with the skin barrier. You do not want this area to develop an irritation or other complications since it will not only be painful and cause poor fitting of ostomy pouches, but it will also affect the quality of life.
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You need to care for your ostomy if you want to maintain your quality of life. Here is what you need to do:
If you have a colostomy, you may want to irrigate your stoma. It will help you control when to eliminate waste. You are going to have to require doctor’s approval, though. You can also choose to irrigate your ileostomy, but it is going to be an even more complicated procedure. You may go for it if your doctor approves it. Emptying your ostomy pouch If you are using a drainable pouch, you can empty it when it is full. The best practice is to empty the pouch when it is one-third to half full. An overly filled ostomy pouch can pull off from the skin, causing leakage. To empty your ostomy pouch, sit down on the toilet and make sure that the pouch is between your legs. A drainable pouch comes with a clip that secures the bottom. You have to remove that clip to let the waste drain out of the pouch. After emptying the pouch, clean the bottom using a paper towel, and use the clip to secure the bottom. Replacing your ostomy pouch There are several factors involved in how often you should change your ostomy pouch. These factors mainly include the type of stoma and your preferences. Some pouching systems need to be changed daily, while others are changed every three to seven days. You may have to change your pouch more often if there is a leakage or irritation under the skin barrier.
Treating skin irritation
A significant part of ostomy care involves peristomal skincare. It could mean preventing and treating skin irritation and other complications. If you notice any irritation in the area, remove the pouch, and clean the skin under the skin barrier using water. Dry the skin and sprinkle ostomy protective powder. Dust off any excess powder, and reattach or replace the pouching system. |
Cletus Madrigal
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