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Ostomy Care

To care for an ostomy it would be well to have some idea of what it is. There is critical information the user of an ostomy should know in order to give any caregiver. Obviously, there are different kinds of pouches and accessories and optional systems in existence. If you do experience trouble with your ostomy pouch talk to your caregiver, nurse, or the ostomy supplier.

The words stoma and ostomy are both used even though they are different. An ostomy is an opening made by surgical means in the body to allow the discharge of bodily waste. Stoma is the end of the ureter, small, or large bowel that can be seen extruding from the stomach wall.

You will learn a new way of having to live when your life changes due to having to adapt to an ostomy whether it is a temporary or a permanent one. It may take up to a year to learn to live using an ostomy. It is very possible to participate in the same things you did before your surgery.

The major factor of having an ostomy is its care. The biggest issue is keeping it emptied. Check your pouch from time to time to see if it is time to empty it. Emptying the pouch before it gets too full will prevent leaking. Most find sitting on the toilet as the most convenient way to empty it. Place the bag between your thighs, hold the bottom, unclamp and unroll its' tail allowing to drain into the toilet. Then cleanse the outside and inside of the tail of the pouch with toilet tissue then replace the clamp.

For healthy ostomy care, it is necessary to change your pouch. Durability and adhesiveness vary among brands and systems. You can expect a pouch to last from three to seven days. Burning or itching is a signal that it is time to change at least the wafer. Changing too often or not often enough may cause damage to the skin.

With an ostomy you can still eat whatever you want. There will be some foods that will affect your digestive tract in a different manner. You will learn what foods may cause more or less gas smells. With a urostomy it will be urine odor. It is possible to participate in sports with the exception of ruff contact sports. You can resume your work schedule after an ostomy surgery. Your ostomy will be a personal part of you and you can choose whom you tell. It is possible to hide the ostomy and wear whatever attire you want, go anywhere you want, and after recovering from an ostomy surgery, you can resume intimate relations. Life beyond an ostomy is a matter of learning to care for properly, and accepting the situation as it is.