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Ostomy Appliance Care At Home

By Sharron Cantu


Ostomy is a medical surgery that creates an opening in the abdomen, making a new passageway of waste products of the body. The one that surrounds the opening is called stoma. It is where the ostomy appliance is attached.

This appliance can be called a bag or pouch. It will drain the bowel movement products or urine. This pouch is made to be convenient in a form of lightweight, thin and made to seal the unpleasant odor of waste products. With this the stoma will be covered and protected to lessen possible 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.

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.

Managing your pouch disposal is easy as counting one, two, three. Empty the pouch or bag in the by flushing it in the toilet. Throw away the pouch, wafer, waste but do not include the clip. You can always use the clip. Seal the pouch in a garbage bag and dispose it just as a normal household waste. Although, there are also kinds of pouches or bags that are drainable that can be emptied and lessens your burden of disposing many bags.

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.

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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