Colostomy Care:

A surgically created diversion in the colon rerouting waste materials to pass those out of the body through an opening in the abdomen is known as a colostomy. It can be permanent or temporary, depending on the underlying reason. The opening in the abdomen is known as a stoma, which is the end of the colon. The surgeon sutures its edges with the abdominal skin.

How to manage your ostomy pouch

The first thing to consider is to select the right type of pouching system. You can read descriptions to know which ostomy pouch is best suited for you. Alternatively, you can ask your ostomy care nurse to help you select the pouching system.

Colostomy pouches are either drainable or closed-end. Drainable pouches have an open end, which uses a clamp to seal the pouch. You will need to remove the clamp to empty the pouch. After emptying, you can use the pouch again. Closed-end pouches, on the other hand, have seal bottom. Once they are filled with waste content, you need to discard those.

Colostomy pouches are also classified as one-piece and two-piece pouches. A one-piece colostomy pouch integrates the skin barrier and the pouch to form a single unit so that when you need to change the pouch, you are going to have to detach it from the peristomal skin. Two-piece colostomy bags consist of a skin barrier and the pouch as two separable elements. It allows you to change the pouch without taking the skin barrier off.

You can also schedule your bowel movements by irrigating your colostomy. This method uses an enema that you have to insert into your stoma. This enema connects to a water pump through the tubing. The pump pushes water into your colostomy to trigger a bowel movement. Resultantly, your colon gets rid of waste contents during the next 30 minutes after irrigation. Once your colon is clear of all wastes, you can wear a stoma cap or a mini colostomy pouch. You may want to have a discussion with your ostomy care nurse or doctor regarding whether or not you can irrigate your colostomy.