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Urostomy is a procedure that makes your #urinary system dependent on a pouch that you need to carry with you almost the entire time. If you want to know about your #urostomy, you are going to have to know about urinary system in general.
Some facts about urinary system
Urinary system starts with the kidneys which are located just above the waistline. Two narrow tubes, called ureters, run from the kidneys into the bladder. These tubes transport liquid waste or urine into the bladder.
The flow of urine from kidneys to bladder is pretty consistent. A sphincter muscle allows the bladder to be completely filled with urine until you feel the need to #urinate. While urinating, the sphincter muscle relaxes to allow the urine to flow out of the body through the tube which is called urethra.
What is urostomy?
The surgically created opening that is designed to drain the urine out of the body is known as urostomy. This ostomy is also known as ileal conduit stoma or urinary diversion. A few things that you need to know about urostomy are as under.
•The main purpose of urostomy is to allow the urine to flow out of the body after the bladder is removed or bypassed.
•After urostomy, your urethra is not going to be used for urine excretion. Instead, it is going to be eliminated through urostomy.
•Without a sphincter muscle in the stoma, you are not going to be able to voluntarily control the excretion of your urine. And that’s where you are going to have to wear a pouch to collect your urine.
Types of urostomies
Urostomy can be created through different methods. The most common method is called an ileal conduit. The basics of this procedure are as under.
•A small portion of your small intestine (ileum) is removed surgically. This part is then used for the flowing out of urine.
•Intestine is then reconnected to allow it to perform its normal function.
•One end of the conduit is then closed by surgeon and ureters are inserted in it.
•Open end of the conduit goes through the abdominal wall. That serves as the exit point for the urine. The opening appearing on the outside of the abdominal wall is known as stoma.
Another type of ostomy is known as colostomy which is used for the removal of stool. This procedure is done to bypass the part of colon that is used for the stool to be given a way out of the body.
Traveling can be one of your huge concerns when you have #stoma. The concern may be about finding a place to change your pouch. It may be about running short on the ostomy products. It may also be about losing your ostomy Supplies while #traveling.
The best solution to such worries is the effective prepping. Good preparation can help you maintain a peace of mind. And it’s the preparation that can help you quickly realize that you can travel not only a few miles away from your home but also anywhere in the world.
A few guidelines that can help you make effective preparation for traveling with a stoma are worth mentioning here.
Create a checklist
When you see that you have to travel, you need to prepare a list of the #ostomy supplies that you are going to need. Don’t wait till the last day to make such preparations. Start gathering the supplies a few days before if you need to order for your supplies. Calculate the number of pouches that you normally need and double that number while ordering. You don’t want to run short on supplies while traveling, especially when you are traveling on a cruise ship where you do not have access to the suppliers. Factors like travel delays, lost supplies, and frequent pouch changes due to change of climate need to be kept into consideration. Ostomy supplies that you are going to need while traveling may include:
•Pouches
•Skin barrier
•Ostomy accessories such as barrier rings
•Disposal bags
•Toilet paper or tissue
•Cleansing wipes
•Medications
•Hand wipes
•Handheld mirror
Have a backup plan
Even though you may have packed more of the supplies, you need to be cautious about things getting unfavorable at any extent. That’s where you need to have prior information about the stores or points near your travel destination to buy your supplies from. You can get information about the suppliers abroad from The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA). If you are traveling by road, plan your route based on information about the availability of your supplies along the route.
Get an ostomy travel card from your healthcare provider
It might become difficult for you to explain every time to customs and security personnel at checkpoints why you are carrying lots of ostomy supplies. That’s where an ostomy travel card from your healthcare provider can make things convenient. An ostomy travel card is available in different languages. Hence, you will have no problem in getting clearance from the customs in other countries.
Change your pouching system right before traveling
It is very important to change your pouching system right before you leave your home. This way, you will have a peace of mind for a longer period of travel time.
#ostomylife #health #life
Focus-52: Week 2 (& I'm already behind...)
In two minds about posting this, but I'd be a completely different person without it.
I don't egg on about it and I've never posted anything like this before.
In March 2009, I was forced to drop out of university to have my colon removed and an ileostomy fitted.
19 at the time, I'd suffered from Ulcerative Colitis since the age of 15/16.
Now 22, I am on the home stretch in my English degree at Royal Holloway, University of London.
In the later part of this year I'll be starting a PGCE to teach Secondary School English.
Best of all I live an ordinary life.
From time to time, your skin will become irritated if you don’t care for it properly. An example of this is choosing the wrong skin lotion that may be heavy in #aromatics for a particular “smell”. Most of the time, these things aren’t meant to be on human skin, yet we do it for the smell for whatever reason. The same goes for cleaning your body with certain #products that may be extremely bad for your stoma.
Well, skin around your stoma can become irritated as well if you’re not careful. Whenever you’re changing out your ostomy gear, it’s best to make sure you’re doing the right things to ensure that no irritation occurs. And one of the best things you can do is to clean properly and make sure your supplies fit. You always want to practice proper ostomy care, right? Then follow along with what we’re saying.
So when it comes to using #adhesive #products for your ostomy cleaning routine, there are some that come in the form of cement or spray. These could be flammable and may contain latex, so it’s good to look at all your options. Nonetheless, adhesives are used to increase the stickiness between your skin and your pouching system.
Still, they’re not used very often, so you should follow directions closely and not over use them. Only a light even coating should be used in the first place, and give it time to dry thoroughly before you apply your system. Since many don’t have to dry for almost five minutes, just be patient and let it dry so it won’t hurt your skin.
From there, some of your options include using a skin barrier powder, which is used to heal away parts of your skin that may be irritated. Otherwise, powder isn’t hardly used by most patients. Thorough ostomy care dictates that you need to pay attention to your body, so don’t ever use products that aren’t agreeing with your skin. Form there, a powder should be dusted lightly over the area that is irritated.
Practicing good care for your skin is easy so long as you pay attention to what it’s telling you. If you avoid listening to your body, it’s a good way to get hurt or remain uncomfortable far longer than you need to. Clean the proper areas when they need cleaning and you’re well on your way to a healthy ostomy routine.
Here are a series of photos with Mark showing how he wears his bag under the Phoenix Ostomy Support System Belt. If you search for the Phoenix Ostomy support system you should find the company link. We've also heard that you can get this belt covered by your insurance. The belt came highly recommened for comfort and ease of use. It is a little awkward b/c you have to wear the belt on its side so emptying can be tricky, but it does contain that bag which can be helpful. Mark got the smallest belt size they offered (Small) and he had to have it sewn to make it a bit smaller.
A colostomy refers to a diversion in the colon to reroute the passage of intestinal wastes away from its natural pathway. Waste content leaves the body through an abdominal opening, called a stoma.
After #colostomy surgery, some lifestyle changes become inevitable. The most significant change is related to the diet.
General diet guidelines
The first few weeks after #surgery are crucial. You will have to be careful about your diet in this duration. Here is what you need to consider.
• You will need to avoid eating fewer, big meals during the day. Instead, eating small and frequent meals may be more appropriate.
• Avoid eating too quickly. Chew your food well.
• Adequate hydration is necessary. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of #water a day.
• Eat foods that are bland and low-fiber.
• Before introducing your favorite #food back into your #diet, ask your doctor about the impact.
During your hospital stay, a dietician will visit you to discuss the types of foods you can eat. You can contact the dietician from home to learn more about what you should or shouldn’t eat.
Recommended foods
During the first few weeks after surgery, you should eat bland and low-fiber foods. Bland foods are well-cooked and easy-to-digest foods. These foods help you avoid uncomfortable problems such as #diarrhea, #blockage, and gas.
Here is what you can eat after colostomy surgery.
• Milk and dairy: You are going to have to avoid dairy products that are high in fats and lactose. Instead, you should consider non-fat milk, powdered milk, non-dairy milk, lactose-free dairy products, yogurt, and cheese.
• Meats and proteins: You can still eat meat during the recovery period after colostomy surgery. Meats that contain lean protein include poultry, fish, and meat without visible fats.
• Grains: Grains that are high in fiber shouldn’t be in your diet plan. Consider low-fiber grain foods such as white bread, pasta, rice, products made of refined flour, and cereals.
• Vegetables: Vegetables have varying amounts of fiber. You should pick low-fiber ones. Foods that you can eat in this regard may include well-cooked vegetables, including potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes. Make sure to peel off their skins and cook those well. You can also have lettuce and strained vegetable juice.
• Fruits: Make sure that the fruit you are about to eat has low fiber content. You may have to avoid pulpy fruits. Alternatively, you can drink pulp-free fruit juice to prevent the intake of high fiber.
• Drinks: Water is the best beverage to drink with a colostomy. If you want to drink other beverages as well, you will need to make sure that those are not caffeinated and carbonated.
Adding foods to your diet
Food intolerances can develop after surgery. These intolerances result from the vulnerable state of your bowel after surgery. Eating any food that may be a little harsh for your bowel in this state may end up giving you diarrhea, bloating, gas, or odor. Food intolerances subside when the colon recovers.
When introducing new foods to your diet, make sure that you are introducing one at a time. It will help you notice the impact of those foods. If that introduction doesn’t go well with your #bowel, you can stop eating that food for a while.
Be sure to talk to your doctor or ostomy care nurse before making any diet-related change.
Ostomy surgery results in an opening in the abdominal wall to make way for a surgically created diversion in the excretory pathway to evacuate bodily waste. That opening is known as the stoma. The bodily waste expelled by an #ostomy through the stoma is commonly referred to as the stomal output. A healthy stoma is deep red, and it looks much like the inside of the mouth. It protrudes from the abdominal skin by a few centimeters. When you wear an ostomy bag, the skin barrier of the bag fits over the stoma by letting it pass through a hole in the flange. The skin barrier sticks with the skin using an adhesive.
The recessed stoma
A healthy stoma is a bit protruded to allow the skin barrier to come in contact with the entire peristomal surface. However, a stoma might recess or retract to seem like dipping into the abdominal skin. That’s where it becomes impossible for conventional skin barriers to make a proper seal with the peristomal skin. If you try to wear an ostomy bag, the recessed stoma will not reach the inside of the ostomy bag. That can cause the stomal output to seep under the skin barrier and leak through the outside edges. The ostomy pouch will not be able to hold the skin for long. The contact of stomal output will result in irritation in the #peristomal skin.
Convex wafer
If you have a recessed #stoma and you are not willing to go for another surgical process for stoma repositioning, you can consider using an ostomy pouch with the convex wafer. The convex wafer comes with an inward curve towards the stoma. This curve pushes the peristomal skin, allowing the stoma to reach the inside of the ostomy bag. The secure fit around the stoma prevents the stomal output from reaching under the skin barrier or wafer.
A convex wafer can be a part of a one-piece or two-piece ostomy pouch. It can also be used with both the closed and drainable ostomy bags.
It would be worth mentioning here that if you do not face the issue of the recessed stoma or uneven peristomal skin, you should not use a convex wafer without a piece of advice from your doctor. Convexity can result in pressure on the peristomal skin, increasing the possibility of pressure ulcers. Moreover, it can be a challenge to choose a convex wafer with the required convexity. A discussion with your doctor can be a source of knowledge for you in this regard. You will be able to know whether or not a convex wafer is a right option for you.
The success of your #colostomy depends on how well you recover from #surgery. This recovery doesn’t only restore your body strength and vitality, but it also gives you the confidence to lead a healthy and active life.
It starts with the initial recovery phase. This phase may last for 3-10 days. Your body tries to adapt to the bowel alteration. You may have to remain hospitalized for this short duration. During your hospital stay, your doctor and surgical staff monitor your #postoperative #recovery. The nursing staff will place a clear bag over your stoma to monitor its function.
Stoma nurse
The stoma nurse at the hospital will teach you how to care for your ostomy. It mainly includes how to empty and change your colostomy bag.
They will also train you to take care of your #stoma and the skin around it. The skin around the stoma is generally sensitive to the stoma output. This part of the skin can develop irritation when it comes in contact with the stomal output regularly. The nurse will tell you how to prevent and treat peristomal skin complications to ensure better adhering to the ostomy pouch.
The stoma nurse will visit you after your discharge from the hospital to make sure that you are doing well with the recovery.
Going home
Your doctor will allow you to go home after your initial recovery is over without any complications. It will take six to eight weeks for your bowel to fully recover from surgery. During this time, you may have to be mindful of your diet and other factors to avoid anything that may cause complications.
During its recovery phase, the colostomy is in its most vulnerable condition. It is generally not able to digest solid foods. You may also have to be mindful of the fiber intake because having too much of it can cause obstruction, which can be very painful. You may be able to eat some of the solid foods, but it is imperative to have a discussion about those foods with your doctor.
You may not be able to engage in strenuous physical activities for six weeks after surgery, but you may go for some exercises to keep your body healthy. The light walk is the perfect activity to start with, and you can increase intensity in your physical training regimen over time.
Life with a colostomy
With your bowel fully recovered after colostomy surgery, you can return to your preferred lifestyle, unless it is an unhealthy one. You can go back to your workplace. You may need to talk to your employer and coworkers about your condition, though. It will help you build a cooperative circle around you.
You may eat your favorite foods, but you will need to be mindful of the impact of those foods in your colostomy. Developing a diet plan and following it strictly can be plenty helpful.
You may return to your fitness training regimen, but you may not be able to lift too heavy objects, as they can cause strain on the abdominal muscles. You may want to talk about it with your healthcare provider.
I took this photo for Ostomy Awareness Day, just to show people that pouches can be hidden. I love my belly bands. This one my super-awesome momma made for me out of an old stretchy cotton t-shirt. We just cut it up, then she sewed it up, and viola! A breathable, comfortable tool that keeps my pouch from bulging under my shirt.
Dressed with belt on underneath. Getting ready for a wedding. It was really nice to go to the wedding an hour away and not have to worry about Mark and UC problems.
If you have an ostomy, you are going to use an #ostomy pouch. You definitely know it, and you are probably using an ostomy pouch as well. But what you may find useful here is the information about right way to manage your ostomny pouch system. The important aspects of this system include adhesion and removal of the #pouches. The proper fitting of pouch means it will not leak or fall off. Moreover, a snug fitting of this system prevent irritation in the stoma and surrounding skin.
Another advantage of strong adhesion is that it allows your pouch system to remain in place for a longer time without causing much of a bother. So you have to make sure that you are going for the high quality adhesives only. Certain manufacturers such as Coloplast, Hollister, and Convatec have been doing extensive research on creating high quality adhesives for the ostomy pouch systems.
One thing worth mentioning here is that the pouch system comes with its own #adhesive which is capable enough to ensure snug fitting of system with the body. But the people for whom this adhesive proves to be insufficient are considerably in large numbers. So, their best bet is the use of additional adhesive which may be a liquid solution applied to the barrier’s side that has to go against the stoma.
Nonetheless, you have to make sure that you are not using any of the adhesive solution without getting it approved by your doctor.
How to use the adhesive?
•Prior to applying the adhesive, you always have to get it tested. It’s pretty easy. Apply a small amount of adhesive to a patch of skin and let it dry. Any reactions like itching, burning, skin redness and any negative reactions are the signs that you should not use this new product.
•Clean the skin around the stoma. Avoid applying any cleaning solutions that contain chemicals.
•Dry the area around the stoma. You can use hair dryer for that purpose.
•Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the skin directly. This layer will provide adhesion to the wafer that you are going attach. Make sure that the application is smooth. It should not be gummy.
•Allow the liquid adhesive to dry for a few minutes. The skin will feel sticky. At that point, you are going to have to attach the wafer.
Removing ostomy system with adhesive remover
•The remover should also be tested before it is applied. You can apply adhesive remover to a small patch of skin to see the reaction as soon as the remover dries up.
•You can apply the remover gently around the wafer through a spray or adhesive remover wipe.
•Allow the remover to do its job. It is going to be a process of a few minutes.
•Start removing the wafer gently. You need to continue using the remover as you go with the wafer removal. You will have to avoid pulling or yanking if a stubborn spot comes up during the process. Simply add more of the remover to make the wafer removal smooth.
•Never ever pull the wafer at any stage. It will just damage the skin.
•Clean the area thoroughly with soap and follow the guide on how to use adhesive to attach the new pouch system.
FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) students in the SMU Nursing Skills Lab in the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) www.samuelmerritt.edu
The main purpose of an absorbent #ileostomy gel packet is to turn the stomal output coming out of your ileostomy into a gel. It does so by getting dissolved when it comes in contact with the stomal output. All you have to do is to place the packet in a clean pouch. When your stomal output falls into the bag, it comes in contact with the gel packet which, in turn, starts turning that stomal output into a uniform gel.
The major benefit of your #stomal output turning into a gel is that the bag becomes easier to empty. The stomal output sloshing around in the bag can cause the bag’s filter getting clogged up, leading to the leakage of stomal output from the bag. The immediate benefit of using these packets is that they keep the stomal output into the bottom of the bag and, so, essentially away from the barrier and flange. This way, your #barrier ring will not come in contact with the stomal output.
Another type of absorbent gel is also available. This type of gel uses different formula, which is called Nu-Hope NU-SORB - Absorption Grains; and it doesn’t come packed in the packets which are to be placed in the ostomy bags. Instead, you are going to have to put the granules inside the ostomy bag; so it’s up to you how much granules you put in the bag.
While both types do the same job of turning liquid stomal output into a gel, the one without packets may be more effective due to its ability to dissolve instantly. The amount of absorbent gel which doesn’t come enclosed in packets can be controlled with the help of a scoop that you will get while buying the absorbent gel.
Using Absorbent Ileostomy Gel Packets
•The first step is to get a new bag or empty the existing one if it is drainable.
•You don’t need to open the packet. It will dissolve in its own.
•Place the gel packet inside the new close-end or a newly drained pouch.
•Attach the pouch with the skin barrier if it is a two-piece ostomy pouch.
An absorbent gel is made specifically to work when it is put inside the ostomy pouch. It means that you can put something in the pouch only if it is labeled safe for ostomy. Since the stomal output in the bag has a tendency to come in contact with the stoma, it might turn out to be harmful if the ostomy bag has something additional which is not meant to be put into the ostomy bag.
FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) students in the SMU Nursing Skills Lab in the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) www.samuelmerritt.edu
Mark is reading about how to care for his ostomy shortly after the July surgery. He can't work but he is there giving his Dad moral support. Ironically he is reading in this picture a SUPER helpful post that was on the www.jpouch.org site about how to care for your ostomy by this incredible survivor named Jason.
An ostomy refers to a #bowel diversion that your surgeon creates to provide an alternative pathway to waste materials to leave the body. You may need this bowel diversion if your colon fails to perform its natural function due to a disease or injury. Conditions that might make it necessary for you to have an ostomy include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or bowel cancer.
There are three types of ileostomies based on their construction.
• Conventional ostomy
• Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir or BCIR
• Ileoanal J-pouch
Conventional ostomy
This #ostomy refers to a bowel diversion that your #surgeon will create by diverting the end of the small intestine or a part of the colon towards the abdominal wall. He will pull that end of the bowel through an incision in the belly to create a stoma. This way, the active part of the bowel bypasses the diseased part of the bowel. The diseased section is either removed or bypassed to address the underlying condition that has necessitated the ileostomy. You are going to have to wear an ostomy #pouch over the stoma to manage #stool evacuations. You may have to empty your bag up to 6 times a day, but this number can increase or decrease depending on the amount of stool you pass out.
Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir
Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir is a continent ileostomy option that refers to the #surgical creation of an internal pouch using the small and large intestines. This pouch stores waste materials that you later pass out through an opening in the #abdomen. The pouch connects to the opening through a valve consisting of tissues taken from the ileum. The surgeon further secures the valve by surrounding it with a ‘collar’ consisting of tissues from the small #intestine. This collar has living tissues that help the valve to remain in a self-sealing condition to prevent any leakage of waste materials from the internal reservoir.
A Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir is an advanced form of the Kock pouch, which also uses a valve to connect to the abdominal opening. The Kock pouch, however, comes with a higher risk of failure due to certain complications. A BCIR, on the other hand, has proved to be a more viable option.
Ileoanal J-pouch
The j-pouch refers to the creation of an internal reservoir that connects to the anal canal. You may be a candidate for this ileostomy if you still have your anus and a part of the rectum intact after the removal of the colon. The surgeon will create the reservoir by folding the end of the ileum and suturing the combined sides. This way, the reservoir will develop a capacity to store waste content to allow you to hold your bowel movement for some time. At the bottom of the reservoir will be an incision that will pass the stool to the anal canal, allowing you to pass out stools through the anus.
A J-pouch may not be an option for every person requiring an ileostomy. The failure of this bowel diversion will lead you to have more bowel movements a day. There will also be the risk of leakage, which causes complications to the skin around the anus.
You may want to discuss these options with your doctor to make sure that you are going for the best one.
Initially aimed for people with colostomies, pouch liners became popular among people with ileostomies too.
You may use these liners for the following purposes.
•Emptying your pouch conveniently as you can remove the liner from the inside of the pouch and discard it into the trash can
•Making a pouching system reusable for an extended duration
Using the liner
You can use a pouch liner only with two-piece ostomy pouches because they have a coupling mechanism that allows the pouch to detach from the flange. You can insert the liner and re-attach the pouch to the skin barrier. Here is how it works.
•The manufacturers generally suggest putting a few pinholes in the specific area of the liner before you insert it into a clean pouch. These pinholes allow the gas to escape into the regular pouch where there is a gas filter to restrict the odor.
•Scrunch the liner in your hands to place it inside the pouch.
•Use your fingers to spread the liner inside the bag, or blow lightly into the liner to expand it inside the pouch.
•Make sure to lay the liner opening across the coupling system.
•Fit the pouch into the flange, and make sure that the liner overlaps to the outside of the pouch. This way, the liner will trap within the coupling system.
•Remove the pouch from the flange when it is one-third to half full. Gather the liner at the top and pull it out of the pouch gently.
•Throw away the full liner into the toilet or trash can, and insert a new one into the pouch.
Advantages
There are several advantages that you can get by using the pouch liners.
•Pouch liners provide you the least expensive way of managing your pouching system. You don’t have to replace your closed-end pouch every time it gets full. All you have to do is to insert a liner and pull it out when it’s full. Your pouch remains function for an extended duration. It can be a significant cost saver.
•It is very easy to dispose of a soiled liner. You can throw it into the toilet without worrying about the clogging of the plumbing system.
•You don’t have to carry much weight if you need to take a bulk of these liners while traveling. These liners may eliminate the need to carry too many pouches.
There can be a few problems related to the compatibility of these liners with the pouching system you use, so you may want to search for an appropriate pouch liner. You can also use it with drainable pouches if you dislike emptying your pouch.
This photograph is from the Hospital archives held by the University Archives in Cultural Collections, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia.
This image can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this image for any other purpose you must obtain permission by contacting the University of Newcastle's Cultural Collections.
Please contact us if you are the subject of an image, or know the subject of the image, and have cultural or other reservations about the image being displayed on this website and would like to discuss this with us.
If you have any information about this photograph, please contact us or leave a comment in the box below.
This photograph is from the Hospital archives held by the University Archives in Cultural Collections, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia.
This image can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this image for any other purpose you must obtain permission by contacting the University of Newcastle's Cultural Collections.
Please contact us if you are the subject of an image, or know the subject of the image, and have cultural or other reservations about the image being displayed on this website and would like to discuss this with us.
If you have any information about this photograph, please contact us or leave a comment in the box below.
Another hard one - but I deliberately picked the suggestion that was scariest for me, because . . . well, that's the way I am. :)
In all honesty, I've been having a rough time with selfies this last month. After three and a half months of letting down defenses, of learning a new way to look at myself, I suddenly found it almost impossible to take a photo of myself. Every shot looked horrible to me; I posted some of them anyway, but I cringed as I did. My blossoming self-love and improving self-image was wilting away under my severe judgement. Not sure why this is happening, but I'm trying to just be patient and ride it out. It's had an impact on my participation in this class, which makes me sad.
But - today I decided it was time to be brave, so I did the one thing I hate to do: a full-body self-portrait. I decided I was not going to focus on how fat I think I look (how much does that really matter?), or worry about whether my ostomy bag shows from under my clothes (it probably doesn't as much as I think it does), and just stand in front of my mirror with kindness and acknowledgement of my own strength and beauty. So here I am: no filters, just a bit of a border. :)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects 10 million people worldwide. Every year on May 19, World IBD day is observed to spread awareness of inflammatory bowel disease. On this day, several communities hold events to educate people about the #IBD and raise funds to help patients who are unable to bear treatment expenses.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is more like a category of complications that irritate, inflame, and cause swelling of the digestive tract. The digestive tract, consisting of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and bowel, breaks down foods, absorbs nutrients, and passes out bodily wastes. Inflammation can result in painful symptoms that can be quite disrupting. The two main types of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease
This condition can occur in any part of the #digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The affected areas are usually in the form of patches, affecting healthy tissues of the GI tract. Most cases of Crohn’s disease involve the occurrence of inflamed patches in the last section of the small and large intestine. Its reason, however, is unknown. The number of annual cases of Crohn’s disease has increased in the US. It commonly occurs in people between the ages of 20 and 29. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include pain, ulcers in the mouth and gut, fatigue, diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, anal fissures, and anal bleeding.
Ulcerative colitis
This condition occurs more usually in the colon or large intestine. The areas of inflammation caused by this condition are continuous, unlike Crohn’s disease. The different classes of ulcerative colitis include the following.
•Ulcerative proctitis: This mild form of #ulcerative #colitis remains contained within the rectum.
•Universal Colitis: This form affects the entire colon.
•Proctosigmoiditis: This form infects the rectum and the lower part of the colon.
•Distal Colitis: This class spreads in the rectum and the left side of the colon.
•Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: This rare but severe form of ulcerative colitis infects the entire colon.
The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are #abdominal #pain and #diarrhea with spots of blood and mucus.
What causes IBD?
Although per-year cases of IBD grow every year, its reasons remain unknown. Many doctors initially believed that it was due to diet and stress. Even though these factors can aggravate IBD, they are no longer regarded as reasons for this condition. Instead, doctors now believe that this condition may occur due to a problem within the immune system. Sometimes, the immune system may go into a hyper-drive, causing it to attack healthy cells of the GI tract. Genetics, age, ethnicity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are the top reasons for this condition.
Treatment of IBD
Before treatment, doctors will want to diagnose this condition. Because there is no cure for IBD available, your best bet is to manage your symptoms to stay healthy. Your doctor will take samples of your blood and stools to run a diagnosis to know whether you have this condition.
If you have IBD, your doctor may prescribe you some anti-inflammatory drugs. Since these drugs can have a lot of side effects, make sure to work with your doctor to prevent those additional discomforts.
You may also need to bring some healthy changes to your lifestyle to keep painful symptoms at bay. Those include modifications in your diet plan and engaging in healthy physical activity.
Ostomate: an individual who has undergone an ostomy.
Ostomy: any of various surgical procedures, as a colostomy, in which an artificial opening is made so as to permit the drainage of waste products either into an appropriate organ or to the outside of the body.
Source:
FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) students in the SMU Nursing Skills Lab in the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) www.samuelmerritt.edu
As we have effectively expressed there are three primary kinds of stoma. It is basic that fitting stoma mind is taken or rendered on the consummation of the surgery. As a rule, the stoma is wet and pink, taking after the inner parts of our mouths.
Website: stoma care
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Ostomy #surgery is generally a simpler procedure, thanks to the modern-day medical sciences that are advance enough to ensure the safety of the most complicated #surgical procedures. Yet, many people can develop #complications after #stoma surgery. These complications occur any time, from immediately after surgery to years after the procedure.
The most common complications after stoma surgery are related to the stoma itself and peristomal skin. Nevertheless, the assessment measures for analyzing surgical wounds can become tricky in different situations. You may want to look at three main parameters to analyze the type of complication you experience.
Discoloration
The color of the stoma can be pink or red, and it has a shiny appearance. If the color of your stoma is black, purple, or brown, it may not be receiving an adequate amount of blood, or the tissues of your stoma may be dying off. If you notice these symptoms, you should get in contact with your #doctor immediately.
Ulceration or erosion
The #swelling of the stoma is a sign of complication. A stoma should shrink within seven weeks after surgery. If the size of the stoma remains the same or increases even after the recovery duration is over, it is a sign that something is wrong.
Parastomal #hernia is a common issue that can cause erosion or inflammation of the stoma. This condition refers to the intestines pushing through the weakened abdominal muscles, forming a noticeable bulge anywhere in the radius of a few centimeters around the stoma.
The signs of erosion may also occur as a result of the injury due to the use of a stoma belt or pouch. Such an injury is generally self-healing, but you have to make sure that you are not doing anything wrong with it so that the recovery remains persistent. You will also have to control the bleeding. You can do it by using foam dressing.
The erosion can also happen due to the stoma prolapsing. As soon as you notice this problem, contact your doctor immediately because there is nothing you can do to reverse a prolapse. You can prevent a prolapse through calculated physical activity and other measures, though.
Overgrowth
After ostomy surgery, a stoma might be swelled, and it may also be large in size. If there are tissues that close in over the stoma, you have got an issue to deal with, and that too immediately. If this problem is causing any pain or discomfort, a quick solution becomes even more crucial. If the overgrowth is due to the development of granular tissues, you may want to use topical steroidal creams to control it.
Wound infections can occur in a stoma several years after surgery, so it is wrong to presume that a stoma issue is not a complication.
No matter what stoma issue you face, and no matter what severity this issue has, it is most important to get in touch with your #ostomy care #nurse to discuss the problem. The nurse will recommend treatment if he or she has hands-on experience related to that issue. Otherwise, she will refer you to a doctor.
Here is the upclose shot of the stoma site (sorry blurry but I couldn't get it more clear), it is not so pretty yet, but looks good considering his intestine used to be hanging out of it. The scar is raised on some parts and a little sunken in in the middle. And he no longer has that circle around the stoma area where you could see the ostomy bag wafer would sit.
Some tenderness on this scar, on the top area it feels like there is a staple or something poking out, it weirds Mark out.
Mark at work during week 13 after step 1 lapro surgery, and doing well. Here is at a job, he built some arbors for a client.
After 6 weeks he felt great, and was cleared by the surgeon to get to work (don't do anything till the surgeon clears you is the most important rule : ). Our biggest concern was him lifting things too heavy. But the surgeon said it would be fine, and he has been back to work for 7 weeks and doing well.
For those going into surgery a big question is 'how long will I really be out of work'; for Mark the first few weeks after week 6, he was back at work, but he would get tired easily, so he did work half days on and off for about 4 weeks. Also, no complaints with the ostomy bag, life is more normal with the bag than it has been in years. He is able to lift things and move around without problems. He does not wear the phoenix belt very often anymore, he found the belt was too hot and restraining for him, but others love the belt and we recommend you try it out for yourself because it may be just what works for you.
SEMICOLON; THE ADVENTURES OF OSTOMY GIRL featured subject Dana Marshall-Bernstein and producer Cari Marshall during their post-screening Q&A.
Photo credit: Cleveland International Film Festival
The human mind and makeup is pretty spectacular. Each person has different likes and dislikes. Each person has different desires and interests. We all have our own individual makeup. But, a lot of our makeup is carved out by various circumstances and experiences that we go through. Facts seem to be responsible for a lot of our worldviews. But there are certain things that happen inside our minds that are very mysterious to me.
As a heads up, this story links back into my ostomy procedure and the Hollister ostomy supplies I currently have on hand. But let’s dive in.
For instance, I spent 19 years of my life loathing, hating, and despising one “sport” and one sport only: Golf. I could not stand golf. Having it on the television literally made my skin crawl. Therefore, I never watched it. My wife’s family, however, absolutely loves golf. They’re golf fanatics. When we first started dating, we would be hanging out at her aunt and uncle’s house. Her uncle would have golf on the television. And I remember thinking at one point “I have got to get out of this room because I cannot stand watching this one more minute”. I would much rather watch paint dry than watch golf. I hated golf as much as the democratic party hates the republican party and how much the republican party hates the deomcratic party.
And then it happened. I don’t know how or necessarily why, but I got it in my head that I wanted to play golf. It was the summer after my sophomore year of college when I first had this sudden desire to play the sport I hated so much. I remember my first ever round of golf. The game definitely paid me back for my hatred of the sport. I couldn’t hit the ball in the air.
That was until the very last hole. I finally got the ball in the air with a driver that wasn’t even mine. And after that one shot, I was hooked. I wanted to practice and practice and practice. I built a net to hit into, I watched youtube videos, I had people watch me and help me, and ultimately I got better.
But, when I really got better was following my #ostomy care procedure. The surgery made me not take so big of a backswing. The Hollister ostomy supplies
I had to use as part of the ostomy care helped me keep my right elbow close to my side. And thus, I started taking half swings and making better contact with the ball.
#ostomycare #ostomy
At the point when an individual experiences a surgery, it is an exceptionally taking a stab at, discouraging, and frightening background. A pee meter is typically utilized on or for patients post a surgery since one is stable for the principal couple of days.
Know More information: Urine Meter