Ostomy Appliance Care At Home

By Sharron Cantu


A medical operation that will connect an organ in the body to the outside to allow access of waste products such as feces and urine out of the body is called ostomy. A stoma created by through this surgery. In this opening called stoma an ostomy appliance will be placed.

This appliance is a bag or pouch that collects the waste products. This bag is light, thin and odorproof. This will serve as a protection and a cover to the stoma to prevent further complications.

Stoma and the pouch that is attached to it needs to be taken care of to avoid unnecessary complications. This will need more time and patience, especially to the new ones. You might feel a little uncomfortable moving and doing things around with this around you.

When you clean this, arrange all things you will be needing to save time and effort. Clear the pouch and wash it away in the toilet. Cleanse the stoma first and then the skin that surrounds it. You may use clean cotton swabs soaked in warm water. If you like to have soap, use mild, hypoallergenic soaps to less the chances of irritating your skin. Rinse it with water and pat it dry. Remember to keep everything dry before applying a new bag or pouch. A skin cream is suggested to provide comfort for your skin.

Usually it is advised to change it every three to seven days or as you need it. Do not forget to have it measured by the measuring guide in the kit every time you apply new one. Examine for its discoloration, size and shape. Inspect if there are edema or swelling present in the stoma. Edema can greatly affect the appearance of your stoma and it may indicate infection. If you found any, report it immediately and have it checked by the doctor.

Apply some skin ointment or gel for comfort. There are times your skin can be irritated by the wafer adhesive. Make it sure it is placed in the center of the hole and very well fitted. Clip it gently in place and seal it.

Waste management is not that complicated, so do not make your life difficult. Flush the waste products in the toilet when you empty it. Throw everything except for the clip. You can still use it. Throw it just like how you throw your garbage at home. But there are also some types of pouches that can lessen your burden of throwing and throwing many. This type is the drainable one.

For some tips, do not eat late at night before replacing your ostomy bag to have lesser output. When changing ostomy pouches or bags have an old towel or paper towel to catch some waste from the stoma. Always follow and listen to the instructions of your health care provider.

After your surgery, you might say you will not going to enjoy it. Yes, it will be different living with this, but it should not hinder you from doing the usual things you do. You are not alone. There are many people like you who got their life back even with an extra baggage.




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