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A surgically created opening that connects an internal organ to the outer skin is known as an ostomy. The most common types of ostomies are ileostomy and colostomy, both of which are created on the bowel.
If you have a blockage in the bowel, you may need a temporary ostomy. The purpose of this ostomy is to allow the bowel to recover after the treatment. Such an ostomy can also help treat inflammation or injury. Temporary ostomies can be reversed while making sure that the bowel loses no or little intestinal function.
A permanent ostomy may be required if a part of the bowel loses its function due to an impairment in the bowel muscles. These muscles control the elimination of bowel wastes. When these muscles stop functioning, proper waste removal becomes impossible. This condition necessitates the patient to undergo ostomy surgery, which first involves the permanent removal of the nonfunctional section of the bowel.
After ostomy surgery, it is not possible to eliminate bodily wastes through the anus. The stoma on the abdomen passes out wastes. Because a stoma doesn’t have any sphincter muscles, you will need to wear an ostomy bag over the stoma to manage your stool evacuations. This plastic bag or pouch remains in place by means of an adhesive surface that goes against the skin around the stoma. This adhesive element is known as the skin barrier. The adhesive side prevents any leakage of odor or stomal output. This system is usually quite secure, thanks to the modern technology used in manufacturing.
While an ostomy pouch is easy to use, you may have to learn it well to make sure that no stomal output or odor comes out of it. You can learn it from specialized ostomy care nurses or your healthcare provider.
Bowel movements
Bowel movements
Your intestines will empty wastes into the bag. The frequency, quantity, and consistency of your stomal output will depend on the type of ostomy, your diet, and your bowel habits before surgery. Your doctor may recommend a specialized diet plan to adjust bowel movements. If you have a colostomy, you may perform colostomy irrigation, which is the process of pushing a stream of water into the stoma to trigger bowel movements.
Living with an ostomy
Living with an ostomy
The first thing that you may think of before undergoing ostomy surgery is your diet. Generally, an ostomy doesn’t necessitate a person to have a specialized diet. You can eat pretty much everything you want. Nonetheless, you will need to follow a more restricted diet plan during the first few weeks after surgery to prevent any complications. Remember, reintroducing foods into your diet should be a slow process. You will need to see how your body responds to any specific foods.
Having an ostomy doesn’t mean that you cannot lead an active lifestyle. You can go for exercise or fitness training just as you would do without an ostomy. However, it is necessary to discuss your fitness regimen with your doctor before you commit to such a routine.
The most essential part of living with an ostomy is to stay in contact with your ostomy care nurse and doctor. It will help you prevent any complications.
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