Common Myths about Stoma

According to a survey, about 750,000 Americans live with an ostomy, which is a life-saving surgical treatment done to allow the body waste to pass through an opening in the abdominal area into an ostomy pouch. This procedure sometimes becomes necessary to treat Crohn’s disease, colon or bladder cancer, ulcerative colitis, and injury to the bowel or urinary tract.

Since this treatment affects physical and mental characteristics of an individual, it can result in a change in lifestyle. But then, it is worth remembering that there are many successful people out there living with an ostomy.

There are many misconceptions about this treatment and its aftermaths. So, debunking those prevailing myths is very important. In this article, we are going to debunk some well-known, infamous to be precise, myths.

People get to know about your ostomy pretty quickly

You may wonder if your ostomy bag is noticeable; and it could be one of the bigger concerns. The matter of fact is that people will get to know about your ostomy bag only if you opt to tell them about it. So, whether or not people know about your ostomy is entirely your personal matter.

Since these bags are available in different sizes and types, you can buy one that fits your lifestyle, meaning that you can make sure that people do not know you are carrying an ostomy bag.

All ostomy procedures are permanent

Not all stomas are permanent. Certain conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, require the ostomy that is temporary. Such ostomy procedures are done in order to allow certain parts of the excretory tract to heal within a certain period of time. Once that portion is healed, the pouch is removed.

However, there are certain conditions for which the ostomy tends to be permanent. Those conditions mainly involve removal of certain parts of large intestines.

Ostomy bags always smell bad

This problem has been true in the past but not anymore. Modern technologies have helped well in reducing the smell coming out of an ostomy bag to zero. The only time you might feel noticeable odor is when you change or empty the bag.

You will have to be on a special diet for the rest of your life

You might have to make small adjustment in your diet but that doesn’t mean you have to be on a specific diet for the rest of your life. All it takes is the proper healing of your stoma for you to be able to start eating your normal foods. However, there are the food restrictions you need to follow while your stoma is healing.

Traveling with stoma is stressful

Having a stoma doesn’t restrict you from going anywhere in the world. The thought of long journeys is concerning for the people with stomas due to the reason that there is a planning required ahead of time; and it is not something very difficult. The key is to make sure that you have all of the ostomy supplies that you think you will need.

Tips To Live With a Colostomy Bag

An ostomy is a small opening which is made through a surgery when a person’s bowel or bladder stops functioning normally. The stoma created as a result of surgery allows the wastes to be removed from the body. The types of ostomy include urostomy, ileostomy, and colostomy. Each of these different types is made to perform on the opening of a particular organ.

Colostomy Bags and Supplies

Colostomy bags are made to collect the bodily wastes which are passed out through the stoma. The colostomy bags are used to collect stool, which is firm in most of the cases. In such cases, the colostomy bags that are used are the closed pouches. However, if the stoma output is more liquid, the preferable colostomy bags are the drainable ostomy pouches.

Ostomy bags are easy to carry, and you don’t need to wear special clothes to adjust those bags. Those bags are designed to lie flat against the abdomen, and so they remain undetected. If adjustment and management of your stoma is difficult to you, you can consult your doctor.

Traveling with a colostomy bag

There shouldn’t be any problem in traveling after a colostomy surgery. However, some planning is suggested.

First of all, think about the number of appliance changes that you will need while you are away. And make sure that you have all of the ostomy supplies that you are going to need while traveling. Having some extra supplies will ensure peace of mind. And you are going to be careful about the food intake. Be careful while putting on seat belts, as your stoma needs to be prevented from the pressure which is caused by seat belt.

If you have to take flight, make sure that all of your colostomy bag supplies are in the hand-carry bag. You need to be fully prepared to manage the colostomy bag during flight.

Going back to work

Going back to your office with a colostomy bag is not going to be quite challenging. But you have to make sure that you are recovered enough to return to your office.

You can talk to your employer about gradually building your working hours. Moreover, you will have to inform your employer about your inability to carry heavy items for a while. Since carrying a colostomy bag is not going to change your appearance, you don’t need to tell your colleagues about it unless it is absolutely necessary.

Odor management with a colostomy

Individuals carrying colostomy bags worry a lot about the possibility of emitting the smells which people can notice. This odor can be managed by limiting the intake of foods that can produce odor. You can also use certain products to reduce the odor coming out of the ostomy pouch.