Ileostomy Care

An ileostomy refers to an intestinal diversion in which an end of the small intestine is pulled out through a cut in the belly to create a stoma, bypassing the removed or rested colon. Your doctor may choose to give you an ileostomy if your colon is unfit to function. It may be due to an illness or injury.

Disconnecting the small intestine allows the colon to recover from the disease or injury. After the recovery, the surgeon reconnects the now-healed part of the bowel with the already functioning part, reversing the stoma. If there is no chance for the diseased colon to recover, the ileostomy you get will be permanent.

The stoma created in the belly allows the passage of wastes. In this article, we will discuss ways to take care of your ileostomy. The primary purpose of this post is to give general information. You can get detailed information from your doctor or ostomy care nurse. These instructions by professionals will be specific to your case.

Here is how you can take care of your ileostomy.

Activity

Here is how you can go ahead with your routine physical exertion.

• Be sure not to lift anything heavier than five pounds until your healthcare provider approves.
• Avoid driving after getting discharged from the hospital. Be sure to have someone drive you back home.
• If you have to go on a long drive, stop your car often to stretch your legs a bit.
• Speak with your healthcare provider regarding when you can get back to your workplace, especially when your work requires you to lift or push loads. You can speak to your employer to reduce your working hours.
• Increase your activity level slowly and gradually.
• Avoid getting fatigued.

Home care

Here are some home care instructions.

• Be sure to take care of your stoma the way your doctor or ostomy care nurse tells you. You will get these instructions before leaving the hospital.
• You may ask your healthcare provider for an ostomy care sheet. This sheet will help you remain organized and committed to your ostomy care. You will also get instructions from a wound-ostomy-continence nurse before and after surgery. You may also consider having someone else remember all those instructions for you.
• Speak with your healthcare provider to get suggestions about the medicines you may take to reduce the stoma output when necessary.
• Don’t be alarmed when you see mucus in the stomal output. This substance is produced by intestinal cells. You may also experience increased gas passing out of the stoma. It will subside over time.
• Wash the skin around your stoma as instructed by your health physician. Generally, you can wash this area using warm water. Using soap can result in a residue left over the peristomal skin, making it difficult for the new ostomy pouch to form a seal. If you must use soap, make sure that it is free of any perfumes or oils.
• Avoid taking any over-the-counter drugs until your healthcare provider approves.

Following these instructions will help you stay safe from any complications or bowel problems. You will need to contact an ostomy care nurse immediately if you notice excessive bleeding from your stoma, a change in the stoma color, the formation of a bulge around the stoma, and blood in your stool. Other problems that should prompt you to contact your doctor include a high fever, swelling in the incision, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and increased pain in your belly.