A colostomy performed by severing the colon and bringing one end of the colon (closer to the stomach) to the surface of the abdomen through an opening on the abdominal wall called a stoma. The other end of the colon that leads to the rectum is closed off and becomes dormant. The body's waste, the faeces, are collected in disposable colostomy bags attached to the opening, until the colon heals or corrective surgery is done.
Colostomy is often temporary, yet in cases where the entire lower colon or rectum is removed, the colostomy will be permanent.
Types of Colostomy
Colostomy types are related to where ths stoma is sited, which depends on the reason you need to have a colostomy.
- Ascending colostomy: The stoma is located on the right side of the abdomen. The stool that drains from this stoma is in liquid form.
- Transverse colostomy: The stoma is located in the upper abdomen towards the middle or right side. The output that drains from this stoma may be loose or soft.
- Descending or sigmoid colostomy: The stoma is located on the lower left side of the abdomen. The output that drains from this stoma is firm.
It's a combination of skin care and dietary control that will speed up the rehabilitation of the patient and the move towards normal life.
Diet Control
To avoid constipation, eat fibrous foods such as oatmeal, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables. Trial and error will tell you what foods cause you trouble. Drinking up to eight glasses of water and fruit juices per day is a good idea.
Medications and intolerance to certain foods can cause diarrhoea. If such is the case, avoid fibre and eat foods that will thicken the stool - such as white rice, bananas, yoghurt, pasta and bread. Continual diarrhoea can cause dehydration, and thus drinking more water is essential.
When trying new foods, eat small portions first and then gradually increase the portion sizes. If it gives you cramps or diarrhea, discontinue and try the food again in a few weeks.
Food that causes odour or flatus are best avoided. Eggs, cheese, fish, asparagus, onion and cabbage family, mushrooms, green beans and carbonated will be on the hit list for a few weeks at least.
Body Care
A lot of questions raise their heads as one heads home after the surgery. Will I be able to return to normal life, work at the office, dine out, do outdoor activities like swimming? Do I share my "secret" with friends? Yes, it can be disconcerting to many people the first time they have to deal openly with matters that were once private.
To help you in this job are support groups and the hospitals will gladly provide you such contacts. You can join forums on the internet. Talking to people who have walked same path with fortitude can give you a wealth of handy tips and useful information.
You need not avoid dining out, but choose to go out with people who know and respect your personal problems.
Faced with the prospect of carrying shit on one's own person can cause a loss of self worth. There are many different types of colostomy bag available in different sizes and shapes to suit different needs. It is most important that your bag fits properly. With a poorly fitted bag, you are likely to have problems with smell and possibly leaking. A well designed bag lies flat and is not noticeable under clothing.
You can get bags that have charcoal filters that can absorb smells built into them, so that the gas that escapes is odor-free. This is especially important when you travel by air, because the change in pressure in an aircraft can cause large amounts of wind to be passed, which can even cause the stoma bag to rip off.
You can consult your doctor about colostomy irrigation. This process clears the colon for the day using an enema through the stoma, so that you need not carry the bag.
Take good care of your stoma and keep the surrounding area dry, else skin irritation or infection can result from stool that leaks under the bag.
Occasionally, a hernia can develop around a colostomy, or the bowel may become narrow, blocking the passage of stools. Both of these problems can be corrected surgically.
The colostomy won't stop you enjoying your favourite pastimes. You can even swim after protecting your stoma with special waterproof bags. You can expect to lead a normal, complication-free life after you have fully recovered from the operation. Indeed, many people become much more active afterwards as their symptoms have been relieved. However, you should have an occasional medical check up with your doctor to ensure the stoma remains in good condition.
