Tips for living with a colostomy: Colorectal Cancer

A colostomy may be required for people with colorectal cancer and some other bowel diseases. This is a procedure in which the passage of the body waste is altered. Feces exit the body through the hole created in the abdomen. This opening is termed a stoma. A pouch adheres outside the body for the collection of feces. You can empty and change the bag when needed. Living and adapting to a colostomy is very dramatic. Having the proper knowledge can help you in a better way.

What is meant by a colon?

The colon is the part of the large intestine from the small intestine to the rectum. The small intestine is the point for the entrance of the small intestine. The colon helps in the reabsorption of water and nutrients as food moves through it. The waste material is stored for some time in the rectum before leaving the body.

There are three main parts of a colon:

• Ascending colon: It moves up to the right side of the abdomen. It is the portion where the food enters from the small intestine.

• Transverse colon: It reaches the upper part of the belly.

• Descending colon: This part moves down the left side of the abdomen to the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon is connected with the colon. It aids in the reabsorption of water and important nutrients and stool formation.

What is meant by Ostomy?

A surgical procedure in which a hole is created in the stomach; which allows the body waste to leave the body, without passing through the anus or urethra. There are three main types of Ostomy:

Colostomy: A part of the colon is used in stoma creation. The stool that is produced as a result is very firm.

Ileostomy: A part of the ileum is involved in Ostomy creation. It is made on the lower side of the abdomen. The feces are semi-soft and green in color.

Urostomy: It is done just for the drainage of urine, not feces from the body.

Ostomy is a procedure that enables the body to pass out waste through a newly made opening in the belly. An Ostomy may be permanent or temporary. You require wearing an Ostomy pouch outside the stoma for collecting waste material.

The type of feces that is produced as a result of colostomy depends on the location of the Ostomy. For Example:

Colostomy that is on the lower end helps in the reabsorption of more water and as a result, more solid feces are formed.

If a colostomy is near the rectum feces are completely formed.

Ostomy on the transverse and ascending colon, the stool produced as a result is looser and watery because less water is reabsorbed.

Stoma Surgery

In most cases, surgery is performed right after the diagnosis. These surgeries can be performed to remove colon cancer to a large extent. If the colon is very much affected then it needs to be removed completely. A colostomy can be permanent or temporary. You will have a meeting with your healthcare expert and surgeon before the surgery.

You need to clean the bowl thoroughly before the surgery.

Before surgery, you will be introduced to an enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse. He or she will help you to look after your stoma properly.

After the surgery, you need to take medicines and painkillers for healing. You need to stay in hospital for few days after the surgery. Your ET will absorb and check your stoma regularly. Your Ostomy nurse will answer all your questions.

Stoma Care

When you are allowed to leave the hospital and go home your nurse will visit you daily and help you to take care of your stoma. You need to follow the following things:

• How to clean and take care of your parastomal skin

• How to avoid infection

• Observe changes in stoma

• Which medicines to take and how to take them

How to change the flange?

You must dry and clean your stoma properly before attaching the flange or skin barrier. This is how a flange can adhere for a long time. You can use a hairdryer or wait until the skin dries completely. You may need to change the flange after the exercise or any physical activity.

Living with the pouch

Having an Ostomy is very depressing. It may be hard for some people to think about the Ostomy bag they need to carry with them all the time. But you need not worry. You can easily conceal your Ostomy bag. No one can guess that you are having an Ostomy until you decide to tell them. You can choose the people whom you want to tell about your condition. For instance, you need to inform at the workplace that you can’t lift heavyweights.

You can wear loss-fitting clothes that can help you to conceal the stoma in a better way. You should be always careful when children and pets are around so that they can't jump onto the sight of your bag.

You should always keep extra Ostomy supplies with you while traveling. Also, eat the food items carefully. Foods can cause gas and bloat.

You can control odor by using different solid and liquid products. Some products can be placed in the pouch and some can be eaten along with water.

Dietary changes

You should be careful while consuming food items. Some foods can cause odor and gas while some can change the consistency of stool and bowel movements. A mixture of carbon, methane, and hydrogen is the reason for causing gas in the abdomen. You can limit the foods that can cause gas. These food items are:

• Bananas

• Asparagus

• Broccoli

• Capsicum

• Cabbage

• Drinks (carbonated)

• Carrots

• Foods with lactose

• Onions

• Whole grains

• Bran

Trailing your stool

The timing of stool can depend on the type of your colostomy. Constipation is one of the problems for patients with colostomy. Always keep a record of the stool. Check the consistency. You can use juices, fruits, and veggies for releasing constipation.

Colostomy Treatment

The colostomy is a procedure that involves cutting off the colon and protrude it to the outside through the abdominal wall to form an artificial opening. The colostomy bag helps collect your faeces until the colon can heal or corrective surgery is performed. The attachment of a colostomy is commonly done temporarily, but the procedure can be conducted permanently in certain situations.If you undergo a temporal colostomy, the final stage of stitching the bowel back together will happen at eight to twelve weeks.

There are several underlying reasons why an individual may consider having a colostomy. One of the many reasons that one may need the procedure conducted is having inflammatory bowel conditions. If the muscles that control your bowel movements are cut off during the surgical procedures, you will have difficulties controlling your bowels. Therefore you will have to perform a colostomy to allow your bowel contents to empty in the colostomy bag.

How to conduct Colostomy Surgery

A colostomy is carried out by creating a small cut through the abdomen wall to one side of the central opening. The upper cut end of the bowel is carried out over this opening and the edges are sewn to the edges of the opening. The lower cut end may be stitched inside or brought out.

The bowel waste products will empty via the colostomy and be collected in a waterproof bag positioned above the stoma. The colostomy bag is made of a unique waterproof material that is adhesive and sticks to the areas without using adhesive tape.

After the Colostomy procedure is done, you may experience some abdominal pains. During this period, it’s crucial to be in direct contact with a stoma nurse who is professionally trained to helps patients have a smooth recovery. The nurse also offers dietary guidelines to lessen bowel problems to make sure the stoma remains healthy.

Dieting Advice

Immediately after the colostomy procedure is done, you are advised to observe your eating behaviors. It is always advisable to stick to a low residue diet to give more time for your bowel to recover. After some time, you can go back to your regular eating habits. However, some patients may be advised to avoid fibrous food or foods with tough outer skin to avoid causing a blockage in the bowel.

Travelling with Your Colostomy

The colostomy procedure should not hinder you from either travel locally or internationally. You only need to plan as the Colostomy Association has come up with valuable guidelines on traveling with a stoma. Below are some of the tips.

Ensure to carry with you enough Supplies’ change in climate may lead your Colostomy bag to be changed more regularly than usual.

Pack your ostomy supplies in personal hand luggage. This is to ensure you are on the safe side in case your suitcase is misplaced; at least you will have your ostomy supplies.

Always carry bottled water. The water will keep you hydrated and help you keep away from stomach upset.

What should you know about bowel resection?

Bowel resection is a medical procedure that is used for the removal of the whole or some specific parts of the small and large bowel (intestines). Some conditions such as blockages, inflammations, intestinal bleeding, and infections demand bowel resection. It is also used for eradicating the great polyps or tumors formed in the intestine to prevent cancer. The length of the intestine that is to be removed is decided upon the medical reports of the patient. Some other options are ileostomy or colostomy. This s the formation of an opening in the abdomen, that allows the waste to leave the body.

What your surgeon can ask you?

• Your surgeon will enquire about your current medication. He or she will decide whether you need to stop them or not and when you need to stop taking them. He will guide you about the drugs you should take on the day of your surgery.

• The surgeon might give you an antibiotic thirty minutes before the surgery through the mouth or using your arm. This will avoid any kind of bacterial infection. You must foretell your surgeon if you are allergic to any specific antibiotic.

• You may be asked to start taking blood-thinning drugs. These drugs help to keep the blood thin and avoid blood clotting in veins. You will be asked about any blood clotting or bleeding history.

• You should tell your doctor about your medical issues such ad diabetes, bleeding issues, heart or kidney disorders.

• You may be asked if you ever had any abdominal surgery before.

• In case you are female then share with your doctor if you feel like you are expecting (pregnant).

How can you prepare for the surgery?

Your surgeon will guide you about the basic preparations before the surgery. You must arrange a person who could drive you home.

Dietary guidelines: You are advised to consume foods that will help in the cleansing and emptying of the bowel. You should take simple liquids such as gelatin, sugar-free fruit juices, simple soups.

You must not eat foods with high fibers and that is difficult to digest. For example Cereals, nuts m beans, fried foods, bread.

You should start drinking a lot of water.

Some tests such as x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and colonoscopy may be needed before the surgery.

What should you do one day before the surgery?

You must drink eight to ten cups of water during the daytime.

You should use an enema or any laxatives mixed with water to clear your bowel thoroughly.

In case of diabetes, consult with your doctor about the diet, before the surgery. If you are using any medicines he will also guide you about them.

What can happen during the surgery?

You will be given general anesthesia so that you can’t feel any pain. The surgeon will cut (incision) in the abdomen. He will use some specific tools for separating the diseased bowel from the healthy one. He will cut and bind many blood vessels. Then he will remove the complete bowel or some of its parts. At last, he will stitch the healthy and remaining parts together.

The tissues of your bowel will be transferred to the laboratory for testing. Lymph nodes can also be removed. The surgeon might use drains to remove the pus and the fluids. In the end, he will cover your wound with tape and bandages after stitching it.

What should you expect after the surgery?

You will be shifted to the restroom and once you are awake you will be taken to your hospital room. You will remain under observation for avoiding any complications. A healthcare expert will remove the bandage to have a look at your wound.

You will be allowed to walk with support, after the surgery.

Your PCP may advise some medicine to avoid nausea and pain. Blood-thinning drugs are also recommended to avoid blood clotting. Some medicines are allowed for avoiding constipation.

There are some chances that you might get into a condition termed postoperative ileus. This indicates that the bowel is not functioning normally after the surgery. It involves:

• Nausea

• Vomit

• No gas

• No bowel movements

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

This condition may be there for few days. This issue may be solved by walking around with the help of care providers, this may ease the bowel movement. You need to consume only fluids and take medicines. You may also require a nasogastric tube (NG). This tube passes through the nose into the throat and is used for the passage of food.

You will be allowed to eat when you start hearing your bowel movements. In the case of ileostomy and colostomy, you are not allowed to eat solid foods for many days following surgery.

What are some common risks of bowel resection?

It might lead to some other issues that will demand more surgeries. It can damage your:

• Stomach

• Liver

• Nerves

• Blood vessels

• Intestines

There might be excessive bleeding and contents of the bowel may leak down in the abdomen. You can also get an infection right after the surgery. There may a blood clot that can be fatal.

Urostomy

 A urostomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to create an opening in the abdominal wall that enables the body to pass out urine. Urostomy is performe in case of an injured or diseased bladder. The location of the Ostomy is different for each type of urinary diversion. A small portion of the bowel is used to create a reservoir pouch that is used for storing the urine inside the body. It acts as a bladder where the urine is normally stored before leaving the body.

What are some common types of urostomies?

There are three common types of urine diversion:

Ileal or colonic conduit: In this type of diversion a small portion of the small or large bowel (colon or ileum) is used to make a reservoir for storing urine and then it is attached with the stoma. There is a pouch or bag that is placed over the stoma to collect the urine outside the body.

Internal continent pouch or reservoir: This involves the Kock pouch and the Indiana pouch. A small portion of the bowel is used to form an internal reservoir that will store the urine. It is then brought to the stoma. There is a wall near the abdomen that prevents the backflow of the urine or leaking of urine out of the stoma. These types of patients use a catheter to drain the urine.

Neobladder: It is just like an internal continent pouch as it also involves an internal pouch that is used to store the urine. But it is connected with the urethra despite stoma. This process enables almost normal urination. This needs regular physiotherapy to make the muscles habitual and control the urine.  Most of the people can’t attain complete continence, especially at night it is a major issue.

What are some risks after the urostomy?

Patients with any kind of urinary diversion may get some long-term problems and they need to be in a contact with a urologist throughout their life.

Chronic tract infection may be caused due to frequent catheterization incontinent diversion. Kidneys dysfunction and hydronephrosis can be caused due to urine reflux.

If there is a reconstruction that involves the bowel it can cause long-term problems associated with urinating. Some most common problems are:

• B12 vitamin loss

• Kidney stones

• Osteopenia

• Osteoporosis

• Metabolic acidosis

The part of the bowel that was involved produces mucus continuously, which can cause stoma coagulation. It can also lead to a positive pregnancy test in both men and women.

The part of the bowel that was involved in the formation of the reservoir has chances to develop colon polyps or cancer. It has the highest risk of cancer than the normal population. These tumors can develop after the 5 years of the surgery.

There are higher chances to develop chronic bowel diseases as a result of the formation of the ileocecal valve, which is involved in the formation of a continent bladder. Some common issues are:

• Poor digestion of fats

• Decreased vitamin absorption

• Gall and kidney stones

• Loose feces

• Incontinence

How to look after the stoma?

To avoid any skin breakdowns and complications you need to learn how to take care of your stoma properly. Your Ostomy expert or nurse can guide you in this aspect. He or she will help you with how to change the bag and use Ostomy appliances. If you observe any stomal changes such as any redness, swelling then contact your doctor without wasting time.

Life of an Ostomy Patient

An Ostomy can bring a lot of problems such as psychological issues, skin problems, and social limitations. But you need not worry it will take some time but you will be used to live with it. Most people feel lonely and isolated after the surgery. Always remember that there are a lot of people who have gone through Ostomy like you and they are living a complete and happy life. You can talk with them so that you can learn from their experiences.

What are some sexual changes that may occur?

Cystectomy surgery may cause damage to nerves and it can be a reason for the dysfunction of the erectile. Women can lose a small part of the whole vagina during the surgery.

For men:

The men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction may live with it for several years. Early medication can prevent muscle loss (penis) and increase the chances of recovery. In case of erectile dysfunction does not recover, then you can discuss with your doctor the alternate sources which allow you to have normal sex. If you have a bladder surgery there may be no semen production, so they would have an a dry orgasm.

For Women:

In case if your vagina has been removed it is possible to reconstruct it by involving tissues from any part of the body. This will enable a woman to have intercourse. Their orgasm produces no natural lubricant. That Is why a lubricant can be used before intercourse.

How to find support?

• You can get help from an Ostomy nurse

• You can find help at support groups and online groups

• Anyone who has experienced an Ostomy may help you.

Trying To Get Rid Of Gas In Your Ostomy Pouch?

Nobody likes someone who is gassy. I can remember back to this specific time in middle school when this kid named Gerald lit up the entire Spanish class with one of the nastiest farts that I have ever had the displeasure of smelling in my entire life. The teacher literally yelled at him and asked him to leave if he was going to do that again. We had to open the classroom door and all the windows and turn on the fans - it was that bad! The same can be said for people with an ostomy.

Gas is bad enough for normal people who do not have to wear an ostomy pouch, but there is a key difference between flatulence as a normal person and as a person with an ostomy. Normal people can usually control when their gas is coming out by the normal function of their body and digestive system. However, people who have a stoma cannot control when their gas is released into their ostomy pouch, meaning that someone with an ostomy pouch can have a full pouch of gas and not even do anything to stop it. Well, this can create several problems for people with ostomy pouches, especially if they are in any sort of social situations or something like that where it is not easy or acceptable to empty the ostomy pouch full of gas.

That’s why I wanted to take the time to write this article today, so that I can talk about what to do if your ostomy pouch is full of gas and how to prevent a lot of gas from occurring. First off, it is important to note that there are certain things that can bring on a lot of gas in a person. One factor is the type of food that you eat. I am sure that the doctors have informed you on foods that can make you gassier and lead to a full ostomy pouch, but I will quickly go over some of them myself if you are unfamiliar. Certain foods like cabbage, beans, and spicy or hot food can cause a lot of gas to occur in your body.

Also, it can be said that chewing gum or drinking carbonated beverages can also create a lot of gas. Really, anytime you find yourself inhaling a lot of air, while chewing with your mouth open or talking while eating, you will find yourself with a lot of gas on the tail end (pun intended). If you want to avoid having a full ostomy pouch all the time because of your gas, then I suggest you try to find things like I mentioned on a regular basis.

It is also worth mentioning that there are certain types of ostomy pouches made specifically for people who struggle with gas. Some ostomy pouches are drainable, and I am sure we all know that. However, did you know that there are ostomy pouches that are made specifically for people with a lot of gas? That’s right - there are ostomy pouches capable of releasing gas into the air from the pouch. This means that, if you are experiencing a ballooned up ostomy pouch, you can release some of that gas and relieve some of the pressure in the pouch. However, I am sure you are well aware that the gas is going to stink so bad once you release it from the pouch.

Tips For Traveling With A Stoma

Most people love traveling. After all, why have we been born onto such a huge planet other than to travel it and see the world? Personally, I enjoy traveling but I have never left the country. Granted, I am pretty poor and haven’t really had the opportunity to leave the country yet, but if I could I would like to go to Europe at some point in the near future. All that being said, there is a bit of a difference between traveling for normal people and people traveling with a stoma.

If you are unsure of what a stoma is, it is when someone’s intestines, colon, or some other internal organ is rerouted through their abdomen and then outputs their bodily waste into a bag called an ostomy pouch that is connected to them. I know that this sounds pretty gross, but this is something that we all have to collectively face as human beings and be there for our ostomate brothers and sisters. Anyways, it is true that even people with ostomies like to travel. However, if you are planning on traveling in the near future with the addition of a stoma, then you may need to know a few more tips and tricks before you head out. After all, we all know life is a bit more complicated when you have to wear an ostomy pouch everywhere you go.

The first thing you will want to do before you begin traveling with an ostomy is to calculate how much supplies that you will be needing. People with ostomies know just how crazy it is to have enough stoma supplies on hand at all times. There is actually quite a bit that goes into caring for a stoma and changing an ostomy pouch as well, so usually these people have to lug around quite a bit of gear when going anywhere for an extended period of time. So it might be really helpful to figure out what types of products you will need for your trip and order things in advance.

Obviously you will need the ostomy pouches themselves, but you may need to include various skin barriers, adhesives, stoma plugs, stoma powder, deodorizing products, and other things like that. The biggest tip that I can give you is to pack more than what you think you will need - that way, you won’t find yourself running out of ostomy supplies in the middle of some national forest or something like that. After all, it is a pretty common saying that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Another tip that I have for you is to take care of yourself and your ostomy hygiene while you are travelling. I cannot not tell you how many stories I hear about people with ostomies not taking proper care of their stoma because they are too busy having it or want to take a vacation from worrying about stoma care. This makes me so angry - not taking care of your stoma and your ostomy needs is probably about the dumbest thing that you could do.

Do you want to have to go through another surgery? I’m sure you don’t. That is why it’s important to continue to really clean out your stoma and the area around it, as well as continually apply various stoma products that you need to keep everything working smoothly down in that region.