New to ostomy?
If you’re new to having an ostomy, you may have questions about what to expect and how to care for your stoma. Here are some articles that may help.
Top 10 questions for new ostomates - NEW!
To help you make the adjustment as you settle in at home, here are 10 of the most frequently asked questions from new ostomy patients, and some helpful answers.[READ MORE]
What is an ostomy?
Understanding how the human digestive system works may help you better manage your ostomy and stoma care.
What are the differences between a colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy?
Ostomy surgery involves taking a portion of your digestive or urinary tract and redirecting it outside of the body. The opening that’s created in the abdomen (abdominal wall) is called a stoma. This surgery is often recommended or necessary if you have a digestive or urinary system disorder or disease.
Attaching an ostomy pouch
An is made of a specially designed, heavy-duty plastic bag with an opening that fits around the stoma. Depending the style of pouch, the opening has adhesive or a plastic locking ring around it to connect it to the skin or skin barrier and prevent leaks. The pouch collects output from your stoma (urine with a urostomy, and stool with a colostomy or ileostomy). Avoiding leaks is important since the output can irritate skin, causing redness, itchiness and discomfort.
Stoma changes: What’s normal?
Just like every person’s belly button is distinct, your stoma shape is unique to you. Part of getting the best fit for your ostomy pouch – and preventing leaks – is carefully monitoring your stoma for changes.
How to irrigate the colon
With sigmoid or descending colostomies, you may be able to skip wearing an ostomy pouch and use the irrigation method instead.
How to empty an ostomy pouch and minimize odors
For a or , follow these steps to empty your ostomy pouch. Keep in mind, that it’s best to empty your ostomy pouch when it’s about 1/3 to ½ full. If it gets too full, the pouch’s weight may cause it to pull away from your skin, resulting in leaks, skin irritation and odor.
Ostomy care after surgery
Everyone recovers differently from ostomy surgery. In general, you can expect the following process when healing from your procedure.
Ostomy care tips for young children, infants and toddlers
Caring for young children, infants and toddlers with ostomies can be challenging, but with some practice and patience, these youngsters can expect to participate in all of the same activities as their peers. Today, there are several ostomy products designed especially with youngsters in mind.
Deciding on an ostomy pouching system
Just as each person is unique and different, so is the fit of his or her ostomy pouching system. An is a heavy-duty plastic bag with an opening in it. This round opening goes over the stoma, which is a small part of a person’s large intestine (colostomy), small intestine (ileostomy) or urinary system (urostomy) that’s surgically placed outside of the body. Output such as urine or stool, depending on the type of ostomy, leaves the body through the stoma and is collected in the ostomy pouch. The person can then empty or change the ostomy pouch, as needed.
List of ostomy supplies
Each person is unique, so ostomy supplies that provide you with discreet comfort may not be the supplies that work for someone else. What's important is that you choose the ostomy supplies that work with your lifestyle and provide you with …