Colostomy
The colostomy is a surgical process of ostomy. It
builds an artificial hole on the outer side of the beely wall. It happens due
to any Crohn's disease in the colon, rectum, or bowel. Thus, surgeons close the
natural anal opening, they fabricate an artificial anus on the abdomen. They
remove the diseases part of the large intestine and re-route the colon. In case
of minor diseases like injuries, blockages, malfunctions, birth defects, and
infections in the colon, rectum, and bowel, doctors perform a temporary or
reversible colostomy. However, in the case of rectum cancer, colon cancer,
inflammatory bowel disease, and anal cancer, the colostomy stoma will be
permanent. A stoma is the artificial opening in the abdomen of a patient that
will perform the function of the anus. Doctors eliminate the disease and
infected sections of these internal organs and bring the colon to the stoma.
The new route will pass the stool (in thick consistency) to the opening. A
pouch or bag will collect the solid waste and the ostomate will empty the feces
from this sack.
Colostomy Pouching System
A colostomy or any other ostomy patient cannot
leave the stoma open. The function of the new hole in the abdomen is to eject
the feces. Therefore, a patient needs something that will cover the stoma
opening and collect the stool. So, an ostomate will wear the ostomy pouching
system that will fulfill all the demands of the stoma. It will protect, cover,
collect the waste, and look after opening, its edges, and surrounding's skin.
The colostomy pouching system includes a stoma pouch, skin barrier, flanges,
adhesive, adhesive remover, discardable drainage bag, wipes, filters, and
spray. The colostomy patients usually suffer from constipation, odor, and
intestinal gas; thus, they should wear a filter bag and use a spray to get rid
of feces smell.
Colostomy Irrigation
When it comes to colostomy irrigation, it does
not mean emptying and washing of the colostomy pouching system. It refers to
the cleaning and draining of the bowel by putting liquid into the opening
(stoma). Moreover, every colostomy stoma is not able to irrigate. Thus, before
irrigating your opening, ask your ET nurse or healthcare professional, either
you can perform this method on your bowel or not. Due to the colostomy
irrigation, the ostomate's bowel will move regularly. Moreover, the movement
will shoe signs and will become predictable. The bowel will not generate any
internal infection or disease. This will be free of any malfunction and
trouble. It will provide smoothness to the patient, stoma, and the bowel.
However, colostomy or bowel irrigation is not suitable for every colostomy
patient. Make a schedule for your bowel irrigation and follow that.
How to Irrigate the Colostomy?
Well, it needs proper knowledge and training.
Moreover, it requires some tools to irrigate your colostomy. Thus, you can take
help and training from your nurse or healthcare team. However, the following
are some steps you can adopt for the irrigation of colostomy:
- Collect all the tools first. A colostomy patient will require a plastic irrigating container with a long tube and a cone. This tube will help you to put water in the stoma. Moreover, you need an irrigation sleeve. This will empty the stool directly into the commode. Then, you need a belt, so you can attach it to the irrigation sleeve.
- The second necessary thing is your schedule. Do not change your timings every day. Pick a suitable time and irrigate the colostomy daily on the chosen time.
- You should know how much liquid your colostomy needs. Always put lukewarm water into your stoma. Fill the plastic tube with 16 to 50 ounces (500 to 1500 mL) of water. You can hang the container to relax your shoulder and ease the process.
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