Blog

Spouse and Family Support for Ostomates produced by UOA for spouse and family members, especially written for those new to the ostomy experience. Those who have had years of experience as an ostomy family member may also find it valuable.

With so many ostomy products available, it’s hard to know which one is right for you. Regardless of the brand of product or type of surgery you have, there are a few basic features an ostomy pouching system must have to give you a sense of security and confidence. First, it must contain urine or stool, gas and odor without leaking. Second, it must help protect the skin around the stoma from damaging effects of stool or urine. Third, the systems should remain in place for a sustained and predictable wear time. Wear time—This means you should be fairly certain your pouching system will remain intact without leakage for a definite period of time. That time period varies among individuals and ranges from 24 hours to 7-10 days.

Skin Therapy for Urostomates, Urostomy Dr. Shennon has been a urostomate since 1980 and from that time has suffered from many peristomal skin problems such as inflammation and red raw skin around the stoma caused by seepage from his urostomy appliance. Through his experience, he has found relief from for his skin irritations by using a common antibacterial gel hand sanitizer.

Upon reflection, most people view their ostomy as a relief from years or even a lifetime of suffering. Most view this new lifestyle as liberating and welcome the healthy changes it brings to their lives. However, this freedom and healthy change still has some drawbacks and pitfalls to watch for. Two of those pitfalls we are going to discuss today are blockages and hernias. Ostomy Blockages

We live in stressful times, there really is no avoiding it. Most of us have heavy concerns with try to balance our work life and home life, raising our children, providing opportunities for our children to go to college, weddings, dating, concerns about the economy, our future retirement, and the list could go on indefinitely. As well as the numerous other complications that these stressors bring, we often feel these stresses in our stomachs.

Everybody gets some form of heartburn from time to time, but as we get older, it often seems to be more frequent and more severe. Reflux esophagitis refers to a backup of stomach contents into the lower esophagus, where the stomach acids produce a burning sensation. It is commonly known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

I had ulcerative colitis for 14 years before I became so ill that my colon had to be removed. I was so afraid of having an ostomy that I postponed treatment and nearly died. Knowing my feelings about ostomies, my doctor performed a rarely done straight ileoanal anostomosis when he couldn’t make me a J-pouch. I lived three years of hell with that “straight shot” and had an ileostomy installed in December, 1996. It was the best Christmas I ever gave myself!

Ostomy Help more FAQ Question: How soon after ostomy surgery can I return to a normal diet? Answer: Physicians and ostomy nurses suggest that you begin slowly, depending upon your recovery and/or other medical complications. Add back one new food at a time. If you experience any problems, discontinue for a few weeks and try again.

Ostomy Help: Salt and your Ileostomy We have all heard about the dangers of taking in too much salt in our diet I am sure. Doctors have been warning us to lower our sodium intake and we see commercials on TV on a routine basis reminding us to lower our sodium. The same advice given for your general health also holds true for your health regarding your ileostomy.

Should I tell people I have an ostomy? In this world of internet searches, marketing scams, and identity theft, there are many types of people trying to find out information about you. Some of it may be beneficial, some not. Before you give out your personal information,