Monday, August 11, 2014

Life With An Ostomy Appliance

By Sharron Cantu


When life gets tough and you cannot find a way out that is the time you need an opening. An opening called stoma is made to be the pathway of the waste products. Waste products could harm the body when it stays longer. A medical surgery named ostomy is preformed for this to happen and 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.

To prevent complications and infections you need to take care of the stoma, as well as the appliance attached to it. Taking care of this thing needs special attention and extra effort especially if you are just new to it. It will really take time to be comfortable with this attached to you.

Cleanliness is very important when you have this thing around you. Before you start cleaning the pouch, you need to prepare everything. Empty your pouch. Flush all the products bowel movement or urine. Clean the stoma first and then the skin that surrounds it with a clean linen and warm water. A soap may be used, but make sure that you are using a mild soap. Rinse and pat dry. Before attaching the new one, dry everything out to lessen the chances of having irritated skin. You may provide skin cream for extra skin care.

Do not forget to measure and check the size of it when replacing new one. A guide in measuring is included in a box. Check if there is a presence of swelling. The size and appearance of your stoma may be affected if it is swollen. Normally, when you touch it, you will notice some bleeding. But if you will notice unusualities like in its size, shape and discoloration have it check with your physician. The bag replacing can be in 3 to 7 days or as needed.

Before attaching the adhesive wafer, apply some skin cream around it. Have a few minutes to allow your skin to absorb the cream. When placing the wafer, make sure it fits well without irritating the skin around it. The stoma is placed in the center of the hole. It should be firmly pressed and no wrinkles. Seal the wafer gently, clip the pouch in the bottom. Always make sure it is in place.

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.

Points for better life, take less or avoid taking in some food during the night to minimize your output. Place a towel when changing to catch the waste. Pay close attention to your physician as he give you some special instructions.

You may be living differently. It can be unbearable during the first few days or weeks, but you can get used to it. You can have a life, but different from others. It may be different, but it is not a hindrance to get a life back.




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