Your doctor may choose to create an opening in your belly and bring a part of the small or large intestine out through it if your intestinal tract fails to evacuate waste materials. The intestinal diversion inside the abdomen is known as an ostomy, while the opening is known as a stoma. There are two types of intestinal ostomy: colostomy and ileostomy.
After ostomy surgery, you will no longer pass out wastes through your anus. Instead, it will leave your body through the stoma.
A stoma doesn’t have any sphincter muscles, meaning that you will not be able to control when to expel wastes and gas. To manage waste evacuations, you are going to need to wear an ostomy bag. This bag will also prevent the smell of waste materials from escaping. Even better, these pouches have a discreet profile, which means that nobody will be able to tell that you are wearing one.
If you have an ostomy or going to have one, you will need to learn how to take care of your stoma. It will make your life a lot comfortable and easier if you know how to care for your ostomy. A significant part of this care is to make sure that the ostomy pouch you wear makes a tighter seal with your peristomal skin. This seal will prevent the leakage of waste contents.n
With an ostomy, you will need to make sure that you go to all follow-up appointments. If you have any issues related to your stoma or bowel, call your doctor for immediate medical attention.
Caring for your ostomy at home
In most cases, you should be able to take care of a stoma problem at home. Indeed, you will need to have sufficient knowledge beforehand to be able to take care of your ostomy. A significant part of ostomy care involves taking care of the skin around your stoma. If the skin is red, itchy, or irritated, you will not be able to attach an ostomy pouch, which can turn out to be problematic in the long run.
You can treat your red, itchy, or irritated skin at home. Here are the tips that might be helpful.
- Remove the ostomy pouch gently.
- Clean the peristomal skin area.
- Pat the skin dry after washing. Use warm water to clean the skin area.
- Sprinkle ostomy powder on the peristomal skin area, and then wipe off the excess powder.
- Attach a new ostomy pouch.
If the problem persists, talk to your ostomy care nurse. They will provide instruction, which you must follow to treat your peristomal skin. You will also need to empty and change your ostomy pouch according to a schedule suggested by your ostomy care nurse.
If you are taking any medicines, be sure to take them right according to prescription. If you notice any problem with your medication, call your doctor immediately to discuss alternatives. Your doctor will listen to your concerns and suggest the medicine that is right for you.
The key to ensuring effective ostomy care is to follow instructions from your doctor and ostomy care nurse. If you want to use any products related to ostomy care, talk to your doctor or nurse to know whether or not those products are safe for you.
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