Everything You Should Know About Ostomy

by Thomas Chacko

An ostomy or bowel diversion is a hole made by a surgical procedure to allow waste to leave your body. It is done by expert surgeons to treat digestive and urinary system disorders. In this process, an opening from an internal organ to the outside is created to make the waste exit through the abdominal wall.

 

What is an Ostomy?

 Ostomy is a surgical procedure to remove the affected part of the gastrointestinal or urinary system, and an artificial hole/opening is created to eliminate body wastes. Ostomy surgery can be life-changing if done correctly by experienced surgeons.

 

A stoma can be 3-4 inches long and a little less than 2 inches wide and can be found in the lower abdomen. With an ostomy, a new route for waste to exit the body is established by the surgeon.

 

Whether permanent or temporary, having ostomy surgery will change your life. And it is normal if your body is taking time to become normal with an ostomy.

 

Different types of Ostomy Surgery

 Colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy are the three most common types of OstomyOstomy. Each ostomy surgery is performed for a unique purpose.

 

While these three ostomies have many similarities, they also have significant variances.

 

Colostomy

 A colostomy is a medically produced hole through the abdomen into the colon (large intestine). Its function is to enable feces to flow through a sick or damaged section of the colon.

 

Additionally, a colostomy may be temporary if your colon needs healing.

 

If a person is suffering from colon or rectal cancer or any type of colon colostomy is done.

 

Additional facts:

 

  • A colostomy may be established nearly anywhere along the colon;
  • The location of the colostomy is specified by the part of the colon involved;
  • There are four distinct types of colostomies, and colostomies can be temporary or permanent.

 

Ileostomy

 An ileostomy is the most frequent kind of temporary stoma, although it may be permanent as well. An Ileostomy is suggested if you have Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or rectal cancer.

 

An ileostomy is a medically created hole through the abdomen into the small intestine. A part of the small and large intestine (colon) is removed or bypassed.

 

Additional facts:

 

  • It may be permanent or temporary
  • It relieves inflammation in the colon
  • Typically, an ileostomy is placed on the lower right side of the abdomen.

 

Urostomy

 In this procedure, the stoma is connected to the tubes that transport urine to the bladder. This method circumvents the bladder and is done when the bladder is surgically removed, or it no longer works.

 

Once the bladder is removed or bypassed, a urostomy enables urine to flow out of the body. Urine and perhaps some mucus are the products of a urostomy.

 

Additional facts:

 

  • Typically, a urostomy is placed on the lower right side of the abdomen.
  • The most common form of urostomy is an ileal conduit.
  • Generally, a urostomy is a permanent ostomy.

 

All stomas are essentially identical, save for their size and form. Your stoma should be pink or red. It is densely packed with blood veins that run parallel to the surface.

 

Things You Need to Know About Ostomy

 Your stoma, like the inner lining of your mouth, should constantly be wet. It is a mucus membrane that is self-lubricating. Your stoma may bleed due to the presence of many blood vessels.

 

Throughout the day, you will need to empty your ostomy bag many times. It is preferable to empty the bag before it reaches half capacity. Always carry your ostomy supplies with you. They can assist in the event of a leak or other problem.

 

To minimize ostomy output, learn how to arrange your meals and hydration consumption before a large or prolonged event. It may be a lengthy business meeting or a car or aircraft journey.

 

Conclusion

 Occasionally, when replacing the application, you may see some blood; this is normal. Your stoma will heal on its own, just as the inner lining of your face or mouth does when you bite it.

 

You might have a lot of gas in the first few weeks after surgery, which is quite normal. Additionally, your stoma may shrink over the first several months, which is typical and a necessary part of the healing process.

 

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