Ostomy Basics

Whenever a patient undergoes a medical procedure that involves the colon or large intestine, the actual results and continued treatment can be both humbling and eye-opening for the individual. Case in point for the life-saving procedure known as an ostomy, a surgery that allows bodily waste to pass through the stomach and into a ‘created’ pouch called an ostomy bag. For example, a colostomy is where a team of surgeons open up–or create–an opening in the large intestine whereby the opening is made by drawing the healthy end of the colon through an incision in the anterior wall of the abdomen and then suturing it back into place.

Furthermore, adaptation to life after a colostomy includes finding comfort with a bag that may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of your condition. Any ostomy is a surgery that makes the opening in the skin–referred to as a stoma–which is a pathway from your intestine to the exterior of your abdominal wall. There are several types of ostomy’s, however for this purpose, we’ll focus primarily on the large intestine where the colostomy focus is treated.

What is the Purpose of a Colostomy?

The top reasons for this type of surgery are as follows:

1. Diverticulitis – a growth of small pouches in the colon that are subject to inflammation and infection.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease – an inflammation of the digestive tract that may require surgery to remove part of the colon.

3. Colorectal Cancer – when changes in bowel movements occur or rectal bleeding, it may be required to remove parts of the colon.

4. Bowel obstruction – a blockage that prevents the passing of digested food through the large intestine or colon.

5. Injury – trauma can create serious damage to the colon, and in this case, the physician may decide to remove the affected organs and create a colostomy.

6. Genetic or birth defects – a baby may be born without an anal opening or a blockage of the anus or an inability to control the nerves of the colon muscles, and for this reason, a colostomy is warranted.

How to Live with a Colostomy Bag

It’s no secret that lifestyle changes are imminent after a colostomy procedure, as there are numerous factors to consider when a colostomy bag is essential to the ongoing livelihood of the affected individual. These bags are small and designed solely to collect bodily waste. For those with a colostomy, the ostomy bags are often hidden and unless mentioned to another, they are a discreet addition to an individual’s body.

When going about your daily routine as a colostomy patient, here are things to remember:

• Make certain you have the necessary colostomy bag accessories to minimize discomfort
• If traveling, have all the necessary appliance changes needed prior to flying or hitting the road
• Limit your intake of odor-causing foods and specifically reduce intake of foods that organically smell
• During intimate relations, try to avoid positions that place pressure on the stoma
• Give your abdominal muscles plenty of time to heal prior to engaging in activity and sports
• Consider a different type during pregnancy to avoid skin lacerations to the abdomen

In Summary

Every day you live with a colostomy bag can be a physical and emotional adjustment. It takes time to understand how it works and to go about your normal routine of work and play. Because it’s more of a private matter to many, the topic of colostomy bags and having one in place might need to be discussed with your primary care physician or support groups who care and can help you adjust to these changes in your life.

When one encounters challenges when passing bowel, an opening known as Stoma is made on the abdomen. The main aim of this opening is to divert waste through your abdomen rather than through the normal outlet, which is the digestive system. Stomas are usually used when the bladder or the bowel has been surgically removed or requires some form of healing. 

The process of creating a Stoma usually involves the pulling of a part of your intestines onto the surface or close to your abdomen. An opening is then made on the intestines, which are attached to your abdomen. It is also of the essence to bear in mind that ostomies can be temporary or permanent. A permanent ostomy is surgically used when there is a permanently damaged organ in your digestive system. On the other hand, a temporary ostomy is surgically prepared when a part of your intestine needs to heal after a surgical procedure. 

There has been a contentious debate on whether there exist any similarities between ostomy and Stoma. Regardless of this, these two terms are different and have different meanings. For instance, while an ostomy refers to the opening made on your abdomen, a Stoma is the end of the intestines (small or large) that is surgically sewn into the ostomy. 

Types of Stoma

There are different types of Stoma, namely colostomy, urostomy, and ileostomy. In an ileostomy, a Stoma is created on your small intestines to allow waste to bypass your rectum and colon. 

An ileostomy is a common procedure done on patients with ulcerative colitis, bowel cancer, or Crohn’s disease. On the other hand, in urostomy, a small pouch is made using your small intestines and connected to your ureter. The pouch allows your urine to drain outside of your body without passing through the bladder. Urostomy is common in instances where the patient has a damaged bladder. Finally, a colostomy procedure is common in patients with colon injury, blocked colon, or rectal cancer. The colostomy procedure usually involves the creation of a stoma on your large intestines, with the primary goal being to bypass the rectum. 

Methods Used to Create Stomas

The aforementioned stomas can be created in two ways, namely loop ostomy and end ostomy. In end ostomy, the cut is made near the end of your intestines, pulled through the ostomy, and surgically sewn to the opening. On the other hand, loop ostomy is achieved when an intestine loop is pulled through an opening on the intestine and then cut on both ends. One Stoma is designed to allow mucus to pass while the other is meant for bowel movement. Like most surgical procedures, Stomas are designed under anesthesia.

Stoma Care

The type of care taken on a Stoma is determined by the type of pouch applied. Regardless of this, it is advisable to change the pouch every three to seven days. The pouch should also be emptied before its contents are one-third full. It is also advisable to clean the skin around the Stoma with warm water. Any form of irritation, pus, or redness should be reported to the doctor with immediate effect. 

Complications Associated with Stoma Surgeries

Some of the “side effects” associated with stoma surgical procedures include skin irritation, dehydration, leakage, bowel obstruction, retraction, and parastomal hernia. Regardless of this, normal life resumes as soon as the Stoma heals. 

A urostomy is a type of operation involving the ileal conduit. It’s the most often done type of operation called a “urinary diversion.”

What happens is that the surgeon will cut a hole in your abdominal wall during the surgery. The medical name for this hole is called a urinary stoma. Next, the surgeon will detach something called ureters from your bladder and then join them to a part of your bowel called the ileum.

This is known as an ileum conduit after the surgery is done for it. Then, one end of this tube is sealed off, and the other is pulled back through the hole that the surgeon made earlier in your abdominal wall. It’s pulled out a bit so it’s partly beyond the wall.

The point of this operation is to make it so that you can take the urine out of your kidneys right down the conduit and out the ileum conduit, which is then hooked up to a bag. Urine will just pour out of the area ino the bag periodically. This procedure is often necessary if something has happened to the area to make normal urination impossible.

Day to Day with a Urostomy

The stoma sticking out where it connects to your stoma bag will tend to get moist and pink, similar to what it’s like on the inside of your mouth. After the operation, it can often swell up a bit. After a month or two, the inflammation should die down a bit, but it might take longer than that, depending. The area doesn’t have any nerves, so you won’t feel anything when you make contact with it. There’s a lot of variation for the body part, but usually, it will be about the same size as a decently sized count. 

The ostomy bag you use will be flat and waterproof with an adhesive at the end so it can connect. You’re going to need to change out the bag or pouch about 2 to 3 times every week. The bag will essentially be like a replacement bladder and it will store urine until you empty it. You will often need to do this frequently during the day based on your liquid consumption. You need to get a larger bag at night so that you’re disturbed less while sleeping. 

It’s important to take special care of that area and your bags given what it’s doing for you. It helps to make sure that you consult doctors and professionals, and in some cases, you may need their direct help depending on the situation. Due to the fact that you’re externalizing something that is usually internal, it’s going to be especially important to make sure that you’re cleaning the area the way the professionals instruct you to do so, and that you’re constantly draining the pouch and swapping it out entirely during the week. 

This is is a critical part of maintaining hygiene now due to your new situation. Things can turn bad quickly if you aren’t vigilant about your bag, in more ways than one. Obviously, for one thing, if you don’t carefully manage your bag, it could lead to embarrassment and messes. But, even worse than that, you could end up with infections and even worse conditions if you aren’t constantly watching the situation and paying attention to it. 

For a long time I have struggled with being able to find the right ostomy supplies. Granted, everyone has their preference regarding medical supplies and what works best for them. I myself have taken a long time to find the right ostomy supplies for myself. I remember back to the first few days after surgery, and the doctors and I spent a lot of time going over different medications I will need to have as I recover. It seemed like there was a lot to go over and it was pretty complicated. I was also worried about the cost of all these medications because I do not have the best insurance. However, the doctors reassured me that the medications do not cost that much and I should be able to afford them. The other thing we went over was my ostomy supplies that I would need. The doctors gave me a few different options as far as supplies go, and a couple different medical wholesalers through which I could order ostomy supplies.

When I was home from surgery and trying to recover and heal from surgery, I had plenty of time to poke around online and look for the ostomy supplies that would be right for me. The biggest thing I had to look for was ostomy pouches; it’s super important to find the right pouch for your specific ostomy, your needs, and preferences. I remember going through countless ostomy pouches to find the one that is right for me. There is also a surprising amount of difference in quality and functionality when it comes to ostomy pouches, accessories, and other supplies. I had to go through quite a big trial and error phase when I was comparing various ostomy pouches. Some ostomy pouches are more susceptible to leaking than others, and this can also depend on what kind of ostomy pouch fits best with your stoma and skin barrier. Leaking is the last thing you want to deal with regarding ostomy pouches, because that’s when you start to smell really badly; and take my word for it – people will notice when you start leaking!

Finding ostomy products that work for you is not always easy. Like I said, these things can take a lot of trial and error. The biggest thing is to not stress too much about finding the perfect ostomy supplies right away. You are going to be really tired after surgery and in no condition to make any major decisions. That is why it is best to take your time and try different ostomy products at your own leisure. After all, you are going to have to be dealing with that stoma for the rest of yourself, so no need to rush everything and try to get everything figured out all at once. I hear from a lot of people that they have better luck finding quality ostomy supplies and accessories online rather than in regular stores. Retail stores have their benefits, but you might be hard pressed to find any real assortment or variety of products related to ostomies and stomas. 

Now that I have all my go-to’s for my ostomy supplies, I spend a lot less time worrying about where I’m going to get my next order of ostomy pouches and other products. Which means more time to spend doing things I enjoy!

If you have had a stoma for any significant amount of time, then I am sure you know the importance of finding the right ostomy pouch. People who don’t know very much about ostomies may have no clue what an ostomy pouch is, and that is okay. Before my own ostomy that I had several years ago, I really had no idea that such things existed. In fact, if you were to tell me what an ostomy was 10 years aao before I actually had one, I probably would have slapped you in the face for telling me such a bold lie. That’s how crazy the world of ostomy is! Anyways, it is safe to say that I have fully adjusted to life with a stoma. One of the biggest adjustments that one has to make is when you are trying to figure out which ostomy pouch to use. What they don’t tell you before getting surgery is that there are a lot of different types of ostomy pouches out there, and each one has a different brand, size, type, and purpose. If you are walking into the world of ostomy without some low-level knowledge on ostomy pouches, then you are basically walking with a blindfold on. Here’s the thing; I have become so experienced and so knowledgeable on the world of ostomy that I would like to impart some of my wisdom onto those below me who are less than clueless. Don’t feel bad if you do not really know anything about ostomies, because I can promise you that I used to be just like you one day.

The main thing you need to know about ostomy pouches is that there are two main types. The first type of ostomy pouch I am going to be talking about is called a disposable ostomy pouch. Now the disposable ostomy pouch is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – it is an ostomy pouch that is good for a one time use and then should be properly disposed of in a garbage can or waste container system.

Some people swear by disposable ostomy pouches, and won’t be caught dead without one. Personally, I know that there are some pros and cons to disposable ostomy pouches. Luckily for you, I am going to tell you both sides of the story so you can decide for yourself if the disposable pouch is right for you. So, the benefit of the disposable pouch basically comes down to convenience. When you are changing your ostomy pouch, it is a lot less of a hassle when you can just toss away the disposable pouch and slap on a new one. There is usually less smell involved with this setup as well, because you don’t have to try and empty the contents of the ostomy pouch when changing it. 

A big con with the disposable pouch, however, is that it can get expensive to keep buying these pouches over and over again. Since these ostomy pouches are one time use only, you’ll end up spending a lot of money on replacement pouches as you live your ostomy life. Also, having disposable pouches means that you will always need to be carrying additional pouches with you, because in the case of your pouch needing a change you will not be able to just empty it.C

Like anything in life, there is a certain amount of variety when it comes to ostomy pouches. The world of ostomy pouches is not known by many people besides those who have actually had an ostomy, and I guess that makes sense. If you have just recently gotten an ostomy, or are just looking to learn more about them and ostomy pouches in general, then this article is for you. I know from personal experience that the right ostomy pouch can mean the difference between living a normal life and feeling like a stinking, leaking, bag of crap all the time. I do not wish for anyone to feel like that, even my worst enemy. So before you jump the gun, remember that there is quite a bit to consider when buying ostomy pouches. I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did, so that’s why I’m writing this article to hopefully point you in the right direction when it comes to ostomy and ostomy supplies, products, and related accessories.

First off, it is important to note the difference between a one-piece ostomy bag and a two-piece ostomy bag. Though the names pretty much give away the physical differences between these two ostomy bags, you still need to know what makes each one special and why you should choose one over the other. A one-piece ostomy bag is one where the skin barrier and the actual bag are joined together in one piece, and cannot be taken apart from one another. The benefit of a one-piece ostomy pouch is that it is quite more discreet compared to the two-piece pouches.

People who are wearing tight fitting clothing or participating in some sort of athletic activity often wear these one-piece bags. Conversely, a two-piece bag is one where the skin barrier and the bag can be taken apart in two separate pieces. This is more convenient for people who are just casually going about their day or living their lives at work or at home. The reason for this is because getting the skin barrier to fit right is not always easy, and this is usually where the most leakage happens. A two-piece bag has the luxury of being able to change out the pouch when it is full without removing the skin barrier, making it much easier and faster (and more comfortable) to change the pouch out here and there.

Obviously you will want to pick the ostomy pouch that works best for you. In my personal experience, I have always had better results with two-piece pouches. I don’t really like to change the skin barrier all that often because it can lead to skin irritation as well as leaking. That is why I mainly use two-piece systems that allow for quicker and more comfortable and consistent changes. There are also drainable ostomy pouches and closed-end pouches, and the name describes both of the pouches pretty effectively as well. Closed-end pouches are pretty much made for one time use, and are made to be disposed of after you change the pouch. This can be nice while you’re traveling or at work or something like that, because you don’t have to worry about trying to clean or drain your ostomy pouch. The drainable ones are reusable and can save you money on ostomy pouches in the long run.

If you have an ostomy, odds are you have experienced times where your stoma is not happy with you. If you are reading this article and you have no idea what an ostomy is, then I suggest you go ahead and log off because this information is not for you. However, it is true that an ostomy can cause a lot of changes for your life. I know from personal experience that stomas can be nasty business. Trying to keep everything clean, protected, and in good shape can be a difficult task at times. I am writing this article to help you identify when your stoma is experiencing some complications or problems that you may need to address with a phone call to the doctors or even a hospital visit. I am not trying to freak you out, but I just want to make sure that you are taking good care of yourself and your stoma. 

First off, you need to know that it is normal for your stoma to be a red or slightly pink color, kind of like uncooked beef. This is completely normal even if it is a little gross. After all, this is the inside of your body so it is going to be a little bit weird to see on the outside of your abdomen. The skin of your stoma should also be bright and shiny, kind of like the inside of your mouth or something like that. I am telling you these things so that you can better identify if there is something wrong, whether minor or serious, with your stoma and can seek proper treatment for it. After you are recovering from your ostomy, it is normal for the skin to be a bit swollen or inflamed, and may even produce some mucus here and there. I know that this might seem gross, but you are just going to have to accept it as part of your life now. Your stoma should appear bright and shiny, as well as a little moist, but the skin surrounding it should not be. If the skin around your stoma appears red or slimy, then you may have a problem with your stoma.

While you are trying different stoma appliances and ostomy pouches, it may be normal to see some irritation here and there around the skin of your stoma area due to different products or adhesives. This is no cause for concern, simply just find the ostomy products that work best for you and are sensitive to your skin. I have personally found that none of the adhesives I have tried were very irritating to my skin, but I also haven’t found ones that work very effectively over the course of the day.

Signs that you may need to seek professional input or medical attention with your stoma include a lot of swelling or discoloration. One day I woke up to find my stoma was a slightly purple color, and knew immediately that this was not good. I went to the hospital right away and they told me it was a good thing that I had come in because my stoma was infected or something like that. Anyways, just be careful when you clean your stoma and make sure you are taking good care of it. 

Over the years, scientists have struggled to research and invented medicines that have helped fight many diseases that affect the human body. Due to different types of infections, people are forced to seek treatment whenever they fall sick. However, some diseases are not common and only affect a small fraction of the world’s population. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a common disease that affects our bodies digestive system without depicting symptoms that are physical to the eye. Over 10 million people worldwide are affected by different types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is spread in over 50 global continents. With such information and facts in mind, it is essential to understand the causes and the symptoms associated with the disease. 

The disease is thought to cause irritation and discomfort in the entire digestive system of the human body. It might affect the mouth, oesophagus, small intestines, and large intestines. There are two known Inflammatory Bowel Disease that affects the human digestive system: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

Ulcerative colitis

This is the most common type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease that many people suffer from because of its symptoms. The disorder affects the colon and is often characterized by adnominal pains and discomfort. Because of its unique nature, the disease is further classified into three subcategories, namely Ulcerative Proctitis that affects the rectum side of the colon and is thought to be mild and the symptoms are undetected, Universal Colitis affects the entire colon, and the symptoms tend to be more dominant and finally Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis which affects the entire colon, and the symptoms are adverse. They are characterized by abdominal pains, diarrhea accompanied by blood stains and mucus.

 Crohn’s disease

This type of inflammatory disease affects healthy and soft tissues and the human body’s digestive system. The condition may affect any part of the digestive system, but it’s more domicile in the small and large intestines. In fact, according to research conducted among US citizens, about 199 people within a population of 100,000 have Crohn’s disease. The most affected group of people are between the ages of 20 to 29 years. Some major characteristics of the disease include weight loss, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, anal bleeding. 

When getting the right diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), it is also good to know how it differs from Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome affects the large intestines and is characterized by contents in the colon moving either very fast or very slow. The IBD is a structural disease because it affects the structures of the digestive system. At the same time, IBS is a functional disease because it affects the movements and functionality of the process. 

It is also essential to note that there are adverse complications caused by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) if not treated early. For instance, the conditions can result in the development of colon cancer, joint inflammation and blood clots in the digestive system. 

Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

There is no known treatment or cure for IBD but just the management process. People can manage the condition by taking anti-inflammatory medication and choosing a healthy lifestyle. Healthy living and exercising have brought good results to people who had developed the disease, and many have regained their previous health status after choosing specific food diets. 

I remember back to when my life used to be a lot different without the addition of my stoma. Back in 2006, before I had to undergo my ostomy, I was living life at the top of my game. I spent my days working hard, making money, and doing just about anything I wanted to. I worked at an Amazon warehouse for a long time before finally leaving that job behind. The Amazon warehouse paid me decent money, but the hours were long and the work was extremely monotonous. On top of that, I didn’t much like the work culture there because it felt like my managers only wanted to make more money and didn’t care about me as a person or how I was feeling. Since that was a huge issue for me and had a big impact on my mental health, I decided to leave that job behind and pursue my ultimate passion for hiking. I started to hike all different kinds of trails along the Appalachian mountains, and eventually started to take part in rock climbing and bouldering. Everyone warned me that I should never go rock climbing by myself, but I didn’t listen because I thought I knew better than them.

Unfortunately, I experienced a terrible rock climbing accident that caused a lot of health complications for me. My ribs were completely shattered and ended up splintering into my internal organs and all that. I barely was able to survive, and had to undergo countless surgeries in which the surgeons struggled to simply keep me alive. Obviously, I did end up making it through this awful time, but I am sad to say that I am now what I refer to as an ostomate.

That’s right, I now have to wear an ostomy pouch at all times. Life with a stoma is a huge adjustment, and I don’t think anyone can be fully prepared for what life will be like when you can’t poop or pee anymore. It took a long time for me to even get over my depression of having a stoma, let alone being able to function well with it. Luckily I didn’t have to work because I was on disability due to my accident and being completely out of commission, but I definitely had to work on adjusting to living with a stoma and trying to find reasons to live again.

I think the biggest thing about trying to live life with a stoma is getting used to ordering and applying various ostomy supplies. It takes some time to get used to changing the ostomy pouch and all that, so that was definitely a big adjustment for me. When I was finished recovering from surgery in the hospital and was cleared to start the rest of my recovery from home, the doctors ran me through a lot of the ostomy supplies that I would use and taught me how to use it properly. They also sent me home with a lot of different ostomy supplies to help make the next few weeks with my stoma a bit easier. Since then, however, I have had to find ways to order my own ostomy supplies, and it can be a bit difficult to find the brands and specific products that work best for me. However, I feel confident that I have found the right supplies for me.