What are the tips for ostomy care?
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Understand more about your ostomy bag
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Change the ostomy bag regularly
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Empty the ostomy bag in a timely manner
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Plan ahead when traveling or going out
An ostomy is a surgically made hole that allows bodily waste to leave your body through your belly. Your surgeon will connect a pouch to the opening to collect the urine and stool. This is usually done if you have serious bowel problems, have certain organs that need to be removed, or have a body part that needs to heal after surgery. Living with an ostomy bag can be challenging at first, so you might have to tweak your daily routine. To help you, here are some ostomy care tips. Read on.
Understand More About Your Ostomy Bag
Ostomy surgery is life-saving. It’s necessary when you have a birth defect, cancer, serious bowel problems, and more. It’s a huge lifestyle change, but know that you’re not alone in your journey. That’s why it’s important to get comfortable living with an ostomy bag because this can make ostomy care so much easier.
The largest challenge that you need to overcome is body image and self-esteem. For this reason, it’s essential to find a support group within your community. Talk with your loved ones and help them understand how an ostomy impacts your daily life.
Change The Ostomy Bag Regularly
It’s critical to build a routine for changing your ostomy bag. It might be challenging at first, but it will become easier as you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. The most important thing is to change the pouch before it leaks.
Have a regular schedule for ostomy bag changes, so you can avoid leaks and skin irritation. For most people, this is done twice a week. The best time to do this is in the morning before you eat or drink anything. The wear time may decrease during hot seasons or when you’re sweating more.
Prepare your new ostomy bag before you remove the old one. Be extra careful when pulling out the pouching system. Rather than pulling the skin barrier, push your skin away from the sticky barrier.
Don’t forget to clean the skin around the stoma with water. Let it dry before putting on the skin barrier and pouch. When it comes to this, less is more. Avoid products that are not recommended for the skin around the stoma. If you notice that you have skin irritation, contact a qualified healthcare professional for assistance.
Empty The Ostomy Bag In A Timely Manner
Empty the ostomy pouch when it’s about ⅓ to ½ full. This prevents the pouch from bulging under your clothes and can help prevent leaks and odor. It’s best to do this before bedtime, or before you perform your daily activities. Gas can collect in the pouch even when there is no discharge. Make time to release the gas before the pouch bulges too.
The most common way to empty out an ostomy bag is to do it while sitting down. This is because it feels more comfortable and natural. It also reduces splashing because you’re close to the toilet seat.
Standing up is the next preferred method, especially when in public restrooms. It’s also more practical when there’s limited space in the bathroom. Other than this, some people also prefer to empty the contents into another bag. This is more convenient for those with physical disabilities or who can’t move around easily.
Plan Ahead When Traveling Or Going Out
At first, accidents might happen, especially when you least expect them. But the good thing is that you can use these incidents as learning opportunities, so you can plan ahead accordingly. That’s why it’s important to always have your ostomy bag supplies with you, especially if you go out. You can bring them in a small bag.
If you’re traveling, it’s also a good idea to take extra supplies, too. Bring them in your carry-on bag, so you can change the ostomy bag when needed. This is important because you don’t want to risk the loss of supplies when your checked-in luggage gets lost. It’s also beneficial to pre-cut your skin barriers because you might not be able to carry scissors in the plane.
During air travel, there might also be an increased amount of gas in your ostomy bag. To prevent this, you can reduce the consumption of carbonated beverages.
Key Takeaway
It might be difficult at first, but ostomy care will become easier as you get used to living with an ostomy bag. Over time, you will learn what works for you and what doesn’t. The important thing to remember is to have a routine when changing the pouch. Other than that, always empty the bag out before it’s full. Bring a bag of supplies whenever you go, so you can be prepared when accidents happen.
Other than these, it might also be easier for you to live with an ostomy bag if you have the support of the right people. If you have questions and inquiries about ostomy, you can contact our Ostomy Care Clinic here at PHMC.