Living with a stoma is a challenging situation for various reasons including uncontrolled gas passage through it, odor, diarrhea, and leakage around the stoma or appliance. It would take several months for the patients to adjust to this difficult time.
But with practice, people usually find a routine that works for them. Most people with a stoma can eat a normal, balanced diet. Like everyone with Crohn's or Colitis, there might be some foods or drinks that are a problem for you. Having a stoma should not stop you doing the things you enjoy.
The possibility of unpleasant odour and noise means people with a stoma may face additional unique social anxieties following their surgery, with intimate relationships and body image particularly affected (Cardoso et al, 2015).
Once home, avoid strenuous activities that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it.
Talking to family and friends can be helpful – don't feel you need to cope alone. Your Stoma Care Nurse is there to support you, and there are patient support groups who can help too. Don't be frightened to ask for help.
Results: The mean score for the overall quality of life for stomata was 7.42 ± 0.53. Around 70% of patients have adjusted their dietary style due to stoma.
Anxiety is common amongst ostomates who find themselves constantly worrying about their stoma, whether it's because of potential leakages, odours, pancaking, ballooning or not being able to access a toilet easily. Depression is another extremely common mental health illness that ostomates should be aware of.
A change in output from your stoma could contribute to sore skin. If you experience loose stools, you may find it helpful to temporarily use a drainable bag or a high output bag to prevent frequent bag changes, which can result in sore skin.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had a stoma bag, which she refers to as Audrey, fitted last October after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. The operation diverts one end of the colon, which is part of the bowel, through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma.
You can bathe and shower as normal with your stoma and, unless you have been specifically advised otherwise, you can do so with the stoma bag on or off. It won't fall off in the water if you choose to keep it on and if you bathe with the stoma bag off, soap rinsing over the stoma isn't a problem.
After a stoma, the bottom part of the bowel no longer has poo passing through it, but it still produces mucus. Dead cells from the lower bowel or rectum may be mixed in with the mucus. The mucus may leak out of the anus, or you may feel the urge to go to the toilet.
Skin irritation
This is the most frequently observed complication with all stoma types [2, 7, 12].
Carbonated drinks in general can cause gas. Beer can cause the output from the ostomy to become more liquid. You can drink alcohol. However alcohol can cause dehydration, so make sure to drink enough water.
It is normal for some food to pass through to the stoma unaltered. However, foods high in fibre may cause a blockage because they are difficult to digest when eaten in large quantities or not chewed well. Foods that may cause constipation or blockage: Vegetables with skins or stalks such as celery, peas or sweetcorn.
Ostomy patients' sociodemographic characteristics
People living with a stoma were mostly men (61.6%) and had a mean age of 68.1 years (SD = 14.3). Almost 80% were retired/pensioners, while 13.0% were employed and 5.1% were unemployed.
Colostomy irrigation
Irrigation is an alternative to wearing a colostomy appliance. It involves washing out your colon with water either every day or every other day.
Dehydration. Having an ileostomy makes it harder to stay hydrated. If you notice signs of dehydration such as fatigue, dry mouth or lots of poo coming out of your stoma, speak to your stoma nurse or another healthcare professional to get advice.
After surgery it is normal for all ostomates to feel fatigued. Don't forget you have just had major abdominal surgery.
Bullen et al. reported depressive symptoms preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively in a population of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and found that stoma patients experienced significantly greater levels of depressive symptoms throughout the study and increased ...
Also, it is normal to smell your ostomy output and gas when you are changing your ostomy bag. As you would if you went to the toilet the standard way to poo, it's natural for it to have a smell... After all, it is waste from your digestive system!
Ostomy bags may, at first, bring about some feelings of insecurity or lowered self-esteem. Some patients, especially younger patients, may feel as if their ostomy bag is noticeable to others and may feel some shame surrounding it. You may worry about what others may think or that everyone looking at you knows.
It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to recover from an ileostomy and get back to your usual activities. But you should avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting for 3 months while your tummy muscles heal. It's important to rest and take the time you need to adjust to the change in your body.