When it comes to ostomy, there are different types. However, many people get confused regarding their names and specification. Moreover, people think that urostomy, colostomy, and ileostomy are the same thing. But, every surgery type is different from another. Well, the guess is easy, you can solve the puzzle with the names like colostomy belongs to the colon, which is the large intestine. Therefore, the treatment of the colon is a colostomy, and surgery of ileum means the small intestine is ileostomy.
A person needs colostomy surgery when he/she has any problem, infection, blockage, injury, or any other serious disease in the colon or large intestine. A few treatments need a change of passage of natural organs. The same is the case with ostomies. In the colostomy, surgeons remove the infected part of the large intestine or colon, bring the remaining section to the abdomen wall, and attache a sack shaped bag to the opening in the belly to collect the feces. The hole doctors create in the belly is called a stoma. Moreover, it will always release solid stool from the body. It appears on the left side of the stomach. Some primary reasons for the colostomy surgery are Injury in the colon due to a fight or accident, blockage in the large intestine, infection in the bowel or colon, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, anal infection, anal cancer, or any other Crohn's disease.
A colostomy bag is an appliance, attached to the stoma to collect the solid stool. It is usually non-drainable pouches. An ostomate has to discard these tools after the one use and wear the new pouching system for the next discharge.
An ileostomy belongs to the surgery of ileum or small intestine. In this operation, doctors bring a part of the ileum to the outer surface of the patient's abdomen. They make a round hole in the belly wall to collect the waste of the body. Moreover, the stoma in ileostomy appears on the right side of the abdomen. It collects liquid and solid stool of the ostomate.
When a person has some severe infections and diseases in the small intestines, then ileostomy surgery becomes necessary for them. Moreover, the operation requires when a portion of the small bowel gets removed. Sometimes, it happens when a patient's full colon needs to get removed. Ileostomy surgery happens when a patient has dysfunctioning ileum or small intestine, blockage in the ileum, infection in the small intestine, ulcerative disease, cancer, or any other serious problem related to the ileum, small intestine, or small bowel movement.
An ileostomy bag is used to cover the stoma and collect the liquid or stool of a patient. It is quietly different from the colostomy bag in nature. As it can hold watery feces too; therefore, an ostomate wears a drainable ostomy pouching system. An ileostomy patient has to empty the stoma bag frequently. Moreover, it depends on the diet and digestive system. If a person is suffering from loose motion or diarrhea, then an ostomate has to drain the pouch five to six times a day. Therefore, ileostomy patients do not wear discardable pouches. They feel comfortable in drainable ostomy pouches. Moreover, it releases liquid discharge; thus, the leakage can damage the stoma and peristomal skin. Therefore, an ostomate has to be careful regarding the sealing and leakage of the stoma bag. The skin around the opening should be clean and dry to avoid any infection and disease.
Moreover, avoid foods that can cause loose motion or gas problems for ileostomy patients. Some food items do not suit your stomach, they can create a problem; therefore, it is better to avoid them. Feel free to ask your doctor about your diet and stoma appliances.