Stoma care | Understanding Your Stoma

Stoma Care

A stoma is an opening that is surgically created on an individual’s abdomen. A stoma is not age related and people of all ages can have one. There are several reasons for an ostomy, or the creation of a stoma. Individuals are advised surgery in the case of the patient having Cancer, Crohn’s disease, commonly called Inflammatory Bowel Disease, trauma, diverticular disease or a defect by birth. Stoma can be found in three types namely Colostomy, Ileostomy as well as Urostomy. All these surgeries are pretty much the same, only with a few differences, and are performed when the patient is unable to pass waste from the body in the form of faeces or urine.

As we have already stated there are three main types of stoma. It is imperative that appropriate stoma care is taken or rendered on the completion of the surgery. In most cases, the stoma is moist and pink, resembling the insides of our mouths. A stoma is usually swollen post-surgery but this should not be a cause for worry, as the swelling will gradually reduce over a period, anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks. Since the stoma does not possess any nerves, there will be no sensation on touch. Stomas are never the same meaning, they vary both in shape and size, from person to person. The stoma has to be kept dry, disinfected and cleaned regularly.

An ostomy bag is nothing but an artificial pouching system that is custom made and snugly fitted onto the ostomy or the stoma. This is done for the collection of waste. Whatever be the surgery advised, a Colostomy, Ileostomy or an Urostomy require that the patient don an ostomy bag or pouch. The bag can then then be covered with the use of clever clothing or clothing tricks making it invisible. The bag or pouch is available online too. The only difference being that of the shape and type of pouching system, depending on the kind of ostomy that the individual has undergone. One has to ensure that the ostomy bag is cleaned or changed adequately, depending on the situation.

Once the patient has come to terms that an ostomy is the need of the hour, then comes the preparation for surgery, where one must be both mentally as well as physically ready. On the completion of the surgery, the patient will require adequate care, as is the case post any surgery more so this. Having said this ostomy care is of prime importance. A pouching appliance will then be advised for body waste to be collected. The stoma must be cleaned using a mild soap, preferable free of alcohol, wet wipes and a disinfectant each time the pouching appliance is drained or cleaned. It may have to be changed after periodic intervals, as per the doctor’s advice.

What is an Ileostomy? An ileostomy is nothing but an ostomy, or a hole that is surgically created on the abdominal wall. Here the lowest part of the small intestine commonly called the ileum is then brought in through the surgically created hole, for a stoma to be formed. This is usually created on the lower right end of the abdominal wall as the patient’s body is unable to secrete waste by itself. One this is created, patients are then advised by their surgeon to wear an ileostomy bag, which is a pouching system which helps in the collection of body waste like faeces and urine.

When does one have to wear an urostomy bag? Patients who have undergone an urostomy which is a surgical procedure that helps divert the flow of urine into a stoma, better known as a surgically created opening. Body waste in the form of urine then bypasses the bladder passing through the stoma and into an urostomy bag. This bag or pouch is custom made, keeping in mind the type of ostomy the patient has had. It is fitted onto the stoma and should be thoroughly cleaned or changed if required after periodic intervals. An urostomy is a permanent procedure that is advised to patients having cancer, trauma or a urinary system defect from birth.

An ostomy appliance is another name that a pouching system is referred by. Are you then wondering as to when does one use this? Well, as ostomy bag or pouch is used by patients who have undergone a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy. Individuals are advised these surgeries in the case Cancer, Crohn’s disease better known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, trauma or a birth defect. Once a stoma is created surgically, an ostomy appliance, that is either an ostomy bag, a urostomy bag, or an ileostomy bag is fitted onto the stoma. Bodily waste like urine and faces is collected in the pouching system. One has to ensure that necessary maintenance with necessary care is taken.  

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