How to Enjoy the Summer with the Stoma?

When a person has an ostomy, he/she thinks, it is better to stay at home and not to enjoy summer. Well, there is no reason to stay back and not to play with the colors of summer. You can also live your summer days with full enthusiasm and amusement. You can go for swimming, sports, BBQ parties, and anything else you want. You can join your friend’s parties and can make your summer plans. 

When you have a stoma, you just need to be a little careful. With some precautions, you can do whatever you want. You can live your summer vibes with a full playful mind and body. However, you cannot ignore the fact that you have to be a little vigilant as compared to others, as you are the one who has a stoma. Therefore, read out my blog, and enjoy your summer vacations in full swing.

Some Necessary Precautions

In summer, the first and foremost thing is the wearing duration of your ostomy pouch. You cannot wear it for a longer time as like any other weather. You have to change it two times a day in summer. Apart from the ostomy pouch, other supplies also need a change. The heat of the summer can damage your skin and stoma. Therefore, you need to change your flanges, barrier, and adhesive frequently. 

Well, when it comes to glues, it can melt quickly because of the heat waves; therefore, you should apply adhesive three to four times a day. Moreover, in summer, you will face odor more often than winter and fall. Thus, you should put in your perfume and powder frequently. In summer, you should keep in mind, that you cannot let your peristomal wet. The skin around the stoma should be dry and clean. Otherwise, your skin can get rashes and allergy. Merely, you need to take care of your stoma and peristomal skin like a baby. You cannot ignore the fluid discharge, wear time, odor, and rashes.

If you feel itching on the peristomal skin, do not rub the skin. Use a medicated powder to get rid of itching and irritation. The constant redness and itching can cause severe damage to your skin around the stoma.

Wearing a stoma bag does not mean that you cannot wear your swimsuit. When you pay vigilant attention to your stoma bag and supplies, you can wear whatever you want. You can play football, basketball, cricket, or any other sport. You can follow your hobby. 

You can do the gym, gardening, cycling, traveling, trekking, anything you like. When you walk, run, play, drive, or ride, make sure the adhesive has fixed to your stoma barrier. The ostomy pouch is not losing. Apart from the ostomy barrier, whenever you are out of your home, keep a small ostomy kit with you. You should have adhesive, powder, perfume, and an extra ostomy pouch in it. When you feel, you should change the barrier, change it immediately. Moreover, when you feel itching or rashes, apply your ostomy powder. You should use antifungal powders in summer.

Some Necessary Precautions for Food

When it is summer, you should drink plenty of water. As because of the sweating, we discharge a lot of water from our bodies. Therefore, we should drink water as much as we can. This precautionary line is for every person, either he has stoma or not.

However, when you have a stoma, you should drink water more than a normal person should. Because you discharge fluid constantly in your stoma pouch. If you will not drink water, your stoma will get dry, it can cause fungal infection, and you will have to face intense pain in your stoma. Therefore, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and hard foods in summer. Drink plenty of water and eat more fruits.

About Ileostomy Surgery What is an ileostomy surgery?

Many people have some misunderstandings regarding ileostomy surgery. Many patients got frightened when they hear about the operation. They think their life will be complicated after having this surgery. Many people even think of death. However, this is not true. Today, I shall clear all your mix-ups related to ileostomy surgery. I have spent a lot of my time reading articles and grasping knowledge about ileostomy and ostomy. Thus, if you have any confusion or fear regarding the ileostomy surgery, read out the entire blog to clear your thoughts.

An ileostomy is an artificial and surgical small opening in the abdomen wall. The small opening in the belly is called a stoma. Ileostomy surgery has happened when the rectum or colon cannot work satisfactorily. In this surgery, the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) drives towards the stoma. The primary purpose of the stoma is to excrete the waste from the body through an artificial hole. After the ileostomy operation, you will emit the waste directly from the stoma. 

Thus, the natural process of excretion will change. It can be temporary and permanent. In some cases, you use the stoma for a specific period. And in some cases, the ileostomy surgery is permeant. Right after the operation, the stoma takes five to six weeks to settle down. The color of the stoma is usually pink or red. It gives you pain in the initial few weeks. But, after the six weeks, you get used to it. The life with a stoma is not a big deal. There is nothing scary in your life after the ileostomy surgery. 

Once the operation has done, you can come after your previous life routine, which you followed before the surgery. You can perform all your activities, either it is work, gym, sexual life, pregnancy, sports, or any other hobby. Therefore, the soma does not change your life, it only changes the way of throwing out the waste from your body.

Ostomy Pouch

When you have a stoma, you think about the waste you emit. Well, you will need a bag for the poop. You cannot leave your hole open. Apart from the solid waste, your ostomy will emit the liquid material too. And the fluid discharge is constant. Therefore, you will need an ostomy pouch to cover the opening. The ostomy barrier will hold all the waste, either it is solid or liquid. The ostomy pouches are drainable. 

You can clean your ostomy bag and change it. You will have to empty and clean your ostomy pouch four to five times per day. Well, the time has not fixed, it is up to your body system. Some people need to empty the bag five times a day, some people need to clean it more than five times, and many people only empty their bags three times per day. Therefore, the case of the cleaning varies from person to person.

Apart from the cleaning and emptying of the ostomy pouch, you have to change it. If you are facing too much liquid excretion, you should change your ostomy bag two times a day. Moreover, too much liquid can damage the adhesive and peristomal skin. Thus, you should use a medicated adhesive and clean your skin all the time. To get rid of the odor, you should use medicated deodorants and creams. 

You should be vigilant with your ostomy supplies. You cannot use anything for your stoma after the surgery. Every supply cannot suit your peristomal skin and stoma. However, before applying the adhesive, cream, perfume, or anything else, you should ask your doctor and nurse. Your WOC nurse will guide you on how to use the adhesive, how to clean the ostomy pouch when to change it, and what supplies suit you the best.