When a person goes through a disease or condition that affects their intestines, a world of concepts opens up before them and their family members. Generally, doubts will revolve around the use of the colostomy bag, but there is a little word that will also be encountered very often: stoma. What is it? What does it have to do with the colostomy bag? In this article we will give you all the explanation.
What is a stoma?
After an ostomy what remains is a stoma, which is the end of the small intestine or large intestine that comes out of the abdominal wall. The stoma becomes the new channel through which waste will be evacuated from the body and collected in a colostomy bag.
It is important to note that both the size and location of the stoma depend on the shape of the person's abdomen and the specific operation that was performed. An ostomy can be, to be more precise, a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, as we explained in a previous article.
Most stomas are similar and share certain characteristics: they protrude from the skin as a small bump of up to one inch, are red and moist like the inside of the mouth and have no sensitivity. They are usually circular or oval in shape and can vary in size. It is usually swollen during the first weeks after the operation and will gradually shrink to its final size.
Who has a stoma?
Some diseases or injuries can block the flow and evacuation of stool. It may be due to cancer, trauma, inflammatory diseases or even congenital defects. When the segment of bowel needs to heal, a surgery called an ostomy will be performed.
The word ostomy comes from the Greek word stoma, which means mouth. Medically, an ostomy is an artificial opening that is created in the body by surgery. When this opening is made between the intestines and the abdominal wall, it is because it is necessary to allow the passage of urine and feces. After the ostomy there will be a stoma, which is the piece of intestine that is left uncovered and through which the body can dispose of urine and feces, which are collected in a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy bag.
Why does someone with a stoma need a colostomy bag?
An ostomy is an opening that is surgically made to "connect" the inside of the body with the outside through the stoma. There are three types of ostomies: colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy. The function of all three is to change the way the body eliminates waste. The urostomy bypasses the bladder, while the colostomy and ileostomy bypass the anus, rectum and portions of the large or small intestine.
Since body waste will exit through the stoma, for all three procedures the ostomate will need a collection bag for feces or urine. Then, depending on the surgery, the user will need a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy pouch. Each person's needs will determine the characteristics that his or her pouch should have.
How can I take care of my stoma?
There are basic recommendations to take care of both the stoma and the surrounding skin (peristomal) when changing your colostomy bag:
- Peel the adhesive off the skin barrier from top to bottom, without pulling and holding the peristomal skin.
- Remove the remains of feces that may be in the stoma with toilet paper.
- Clean the stoma and the peristomal skin with water and neutral soap. The stoma is very vascularized (it has many small veins) so it is possible that some bleeding may occur, this is normal.
- Dry with light touches, never rub. Make sure that the peristomal skin is completely dry before placing the colostomy bag.
There are also general recommendations that ensure good peristomal skin and stoma health, regardless of colostomy bag placement.
- Avoid products containing alcohol, as they may dry the skin excessively.
- Avoid products with oil, as this may cause the sachet to adhere incorrectly.
- Use the least amount of skin care products in the peristomal area. This will make it easier to avoid irritation.
In the event that the abdominal area has hair, it is very important to receive advice from an ostomy nurse on the best way to shave the area. The presence of hair could prevent the pouch from adhering well to the body, so it is important to receive professional advice so that shaving does not cause problems.
By following these recommendations and using high quality colostomy bags you can rest easy knowing that you are giving your body the best possible care.
