An Overview Of Ostomy And Stoma

Sometimes, your doctor may recommend the removal of a part of your bowel or bladder to treat an underlying condition. It generally results in the necessity of creating an alternate excretory pathway that allows feces or urine to leave the body. This alternate pathway ends on a stoma, which is an opening in the abdomen. The diversion behind this stoma is known as an ostomy.

After you have got a stoma, you are going to have to protect it using an appliance. There are different types of ostomy appliances, depending on the type of ostomy you have. This appliance collects waste materials, allowing you to manage your waste evacuations. You can select the right ostomy appliance with the assistance of your doctor or ostomy care nurse.

How to take care of an ostomy and stoma

You will get fundamental training regarding how to manage your ostomy and stoma from the hospital staff after ostomy surgery. A few aspects of ostomy care are the following.

Changing the ostomy appliance

Depending on the type of ostomy appliance you use, you may need to change it every day or every seven days. Your healthcare provider will provide you instructions regarding when and how to change your ostomy appliance.

Covering your stoma

Covering the stoma refers to using an ostomy appliance with an opening of the right size. You can either get an ostomy appliance with a precut opening, or you can choose to use an appliance that allows you to create an opening of your desired shape and size. The latter type of appliance is known as the cut-to-fit ostomy pouch. You can have this appliance if your stoma is not of a regular shape or size.

The surface where you have to create an opening is known as a flange. The side of the flange that has to go against the skin is laden with adhesive, which forms a seal between the flange and the peristomal skin. The adhesive of the skin barrier is strong enough to cause irritation in the skin around the stoma, so you may have to use paste, powder, and wipes to help protect your skin from complications.

Cleaning the stoma

It is imperative to clean the skin around your stoma every time you change the ostomy appliance. While doing this, you will have to make sure that the adhesive on the peristomal skin is properly removed. The right time to change your ostomy bag and clean your stoma is when you take a shower. To clean the skin around the stoma, you need nothing other than warm water. If you must use soap, make sure that it is free of oils and perfumes.

Emptying an ostomy pouch

Most people with ostomies use drainable ostomy bags that have an opening at the bottom. This opening remains closed with the help of a clip or clamp. Removing this clamp allows the user to drain the bag of waste contents. Placing the closure device back in place seals the bag again.

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