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An ostomate may have to live with a lot of concerns, from preventing infections from occurring to taking care of surgical wounds. Ostomy surgery involves the creation of a stoma by bringing out an end of the bowel through an incision in the tummy, and it can be quite an uncomfortable procedure. Having to manage a surgical wound can make day-to-day living quite challenging, but there are some ways you can manage these complications.

In this article, we will discuss common ostomy problems and how to deal with them.

Skin irritation

The skin around the stoma becoming red, itchy, and painful after surgery is a common occurrence. This area of skin can weep, which can result in excess moisture that can prevent an ostomy appliance from making a seal with the peristomal skin. This moisture can also cause the breakdown of skin, leading to skin ulcers, which can be quite painful and irritating.

Hernia

A hernia is one of the most common complications that people with colostomies experience, according to the American Cancer Society. Herniation refers to intestines pushing through abdominal muscles and forming a bulge. Its symptoms include difficulty irrigating the stoma, stoma prolapse, and blockage. The best way to prevent herniation is to have the proper marking of it before surgery. In case you have a hernia, you may want to discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Bowel issues

A person with an ostomy may experience frequent diarrhea or episodes of constipation. The reasons for these bowel issues include an unhealthy diet, medication, illness, and emotional distress. You may be able to reverse these symptoms with a proper diet and drinking plenty of water. If you still experience these issues, you may want to discuss them with your doctor. He will prescribe medication to treat these problems.

Obstruction

The blockage of the stoma can result in a variety of symptoms, including cramping, nausea, vomiting, and severe pain. The most common symptom is the reduced output of gas and stomal output. You may apply the following quick fixes to ease the obstruction.

Drink plenty of water. It will lubricate the passage.
Get a hot bath to relax muscles.
Move around to stimulate your bowels. It will help move the obstruction.

If none of these helps, you may want to discuss it with your doctor. Remember, you should strictly avoid taking laxatives without speaking with your doctor.

Phantom rectum

Ostomy surgery involves the removal of the rectum and anus, but they remain inside the body, and they still consist of living tissues. In that case, you may feel like having an urge to go to the toilet, even though it’s your stoma that passes out stools. The reason is that your rectum still produces mucus, which is the lubrication that your bowel uses to move waste materials through the anal canal. With a part of the colon and rectum disconnected from the rest of the GI tract, the mucus can store in the rectum, making you feel like needing to move your bowels. The best way to deal with this issue is to sit on the toilet and push down as if you are moving your bowels. It will expel mucus through the anus.

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