A diversion in the fecal or urinary tract to allow waste materials to pass out through an opening in the abdomen is known as an ostomy, and the opening itself is known as the stoma. The doctor will decide to give you an ostomy when your fecal or urinary tract has trouble passing out stool or urine due to an underlying condition. In some cases, you may be able to pass out stool, but your excretory tract is at the risk of getting more diseased over time. An ostomy may be necessary to rest your natural excretory pathway in this regard.

What are the types of stoma?

The three main types of stoma include the following.

• Ileostomy: The stoma that draws wastes from the small intestine, bypassing the colon, is known as an ileostomy. The stool passing out of an ileostomy is less formed and more watery because it has to leave the body without passing along the colon, which absorbs water from the stool.

• Colostomy: This type of stoma drains the waste out of a section of the colon, bypassing the remaining part of the colon. The stool passing through this stoma is more formed.

• Urostomy: The stoma created to divert the urine away from the bladder is known as a urostomy.

Characteristics of a stoma

A normal stoma is red or pink, and moist. It is the end of the intestinal tract sticking out through the belly, and it should be moist and shiny the entire time.

Generally, a stoma may be swollen right after surgery. There may also be some irritation in the skin immediately next to the stoma for the first few days or a couple of weeks. The swelling of the stoma should subside in no more than six weeks, while skin irritation should go away in a few days or a couple of weeks. You may ask your doctor or ET about how to deal with skin irritation because this irritation is the major reason for lack of adhesion between the skin barrier and peristomal skin.

Signs of problems with the stoma

You are going to have to consult with your doctor if you notice the following signs.

• The swelling seems persistent, even weeks after surgery. An unexpected increase in the size of the stoma is also a warning sign.

• There is a change of the stoma color from red or pink to pale.

• The stoma is losing its moisture.

• The stoma appears dark, or even black.

• Your stool is watery, while you have been expecting soft or firm stool.

• Your ostomy appliance seems to strangle your stoma.

• The appliance doesn’t seem to fit properly around the stoma.

• The stoma is ‘sinking’ below the level of your belly.

When to see your doctor or ET

If your stoma seems pale instead of red or pink, it means that it is not receiving enough blood supply. You should immediately contact your doctor or ET if you notice this issue. You will also need immediate medical attention if your peristomal skin doesn’t seem to heal after surgery.