Travelling with Your Stoma

Even if you live with an ostomy, you can still enjoy travelling. But plan and prepare ahead of your trip. Decide on the number of changes you will need. You must also think of things such as barrier strips, belts, skin protectants, and wipes. You should also cater for some extra changes in case of delays, failures or leakage. Better to have more than you need than not have enough.

If you are travelling by train or bus you will always have your luggage with your supply nearby. But in air travel, keep all your ostomy items in your hand luggage. It will be safer to have them with you than risk losing them. If you have to cut-to-fit wafer, you may need to pre-cut some flanges before starting your trip. This is to meet airline restrictions on travelling with sharp tools. 

If your travel is for an extended period, you may not be able to take all your ostomy supplies in your hand luggage. But ostomy suppliers have distributors around the globe. You can arrange for your supplies before you travel. Ask for names of providers at your travel destination. Prepare the order for the items you will need while on your travels so you get them easier.

Air travel may cause gas build-up in your pouch during the flight. To prevent more buildup, avoid drinking beer or carbonated drinks. Also refrain from chewing gums or sucking candies during your flight take-off. Travelling by car? Avoid putting your ostomy supplies in the trunk unprotected from temperature changes.

Your ostomy flanges can be affected by extreme ranges of temperature changes. Travel to cooler or warmer, more humid places will need storing your supplies at the appropriate temperature. Also keep them out of direct sun rays. 

A closed end pouch is better than the drainable pouch for of your trip. You can discard it in a Ziploc™ bag in the bathroom garbage. It may be more hygienic and easier than trying to find and sit on a toilet to empty a drainable pouch. But have some drainable pouches to manage diarrhea resulting from changing and unusal diets.

To enjoy swimming in your travel, consider using smaller stoma caps or mini pouches. These would be less obvious under your swimsuit or shorts. They will also be more suitable when the stoma function is predictable. Ostomy belts or a stoma guard can also protect your pouch system in sports and other activities. Your therapy nurse can advise you about availability of these items for your system.

In warmer climates you can get skin irritation under your pouch due to increased perspiration. Cloth covers for the pouch can absorb perspiration and prevent irritation. You can also apply an anti-perspirant to your skin under the pouch to reduce perspiration. Also, dry your pouch soon after any water activity. Yeast is a common result of increased heat and moisture under the flange. Travel with an anti-fungal powder and skin sealant to treat possible yeast rashes.

If you use irrigation to manage your stoma, make sure the water is safe at your travel destination. If it is not safe, then do irrigations with bottled water to prevent diarrheal problems. It would be wise to discuss issues with your care provider before you travel. The advice you get will help you to enjoy your trip.

Urostomy and Treating Kidney Stones

Urostomy, the surgical removal of the abdominal wall made during surgery, is an operation with pros and cons. The pros are that the surgery would remove the bladder and free the person of the burdens of iodine deficiency; this would allow the person to function more normally. The cons include a possible infection after the surgery as the surgeon would have to insert the appropriate equipment into the body, including catheters, oral tubes, and laparoscopic equipment. Most people who undergo urostomy or bladderctomy are diagnosed with kidney stones. 

This condition is because the bladder and urinary tract are cut off from the rest of the body during these operations. The urinary crystals that form in the bladder are not removed during these surgeries because these crystals would become lodged in the bladder. The surgeon would have to surgically remove the bladder and urinary tract during these operations to relieve the pain caused by the urinary crystals.

On the other hand, a urostomy would be performed when urinary tract infections have damaged the bladder. Infection is usually caused by the spread of bacteria or other harmful organisms to the bladder. 

Once bacteria enter the bladder, it would generate infections and blockage that causes severe discomfort. An empty bladder would be the optimal time for a urostomy to take place. The following are some of the conditions that may require a urostomy. If bladder stones have damaged the bladder, it is not possible to empty it. Damage is when the urostomy is needed.

The surgeon would cut through the bladder and remove the stones inside. It takes longer before recovery from bladder stones is complete, so this procedure should be done immediately upon detection. Another example of when a urostomy is needed is when kidney stones entirely block the bladder. This condition requires prompt intervention because the stone obstruction is dangerous and can cause severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Although kidney stones sometimes cannot be removed, a urostomy can be performed to pass through the bladder. What happens in this procedure is that the bladder is cut in two. One is taken away, and the other is placed back. 

The latter has proven to be more effective in ensuring that the stones can eventually pass out of the body. The length of a urostomy surgery can also vary. Most surgeons would recommend that the bladder be kept open for three to six hours. This time would ensure that the bladder can usually empty itself. For patients who have urinary incontinence, this might also be beneficial to avoid dealing with incontinence and urge incontinence. However, patients with bladder problems should also discuss their options with a qualified urologist so that an appropriate strategy can be set up. 

A urostomy might also be recommended if a person has had a previous operation. This recommendation is because it would help make the opening in their bladder smaller. However, a person must remember that a person would have to go through a urostomy again once a person undergoes an abdominal incision. So even though a urostomy might sound like an excellent alternative to bladder problems, it is still best to see their doctor for further tests and diagnosis. He or she could give a person valuable insight into what options a person has regarding bladder problems and how to treat them effectively.

Colostomy and Ileostomy Procedure and Aftercare

When a person suffers from an illness that requires them to have part of the colon surgically removed, their body has to be given an alternative to removing waste that would have otherwise traveled through their colon. 

This is normally corrected with a colostomy or ileostomy. These are surgeries that create a hole along the abdomen wall that works to allow waste to be removed from the body. This exit point is referred to as the stoma. 

Between the two procedures, a colostomy is performed to connect the colon to the wall of the abdomen, while an ileostomy is performed to connect the small intestine or ileum to the abdominal wall. 

This procedure can be temporary or permanent and depends on the level of the injury to the bowel. In cases where it is temporary, the procedure is performed to allow the bowel to recover from injuries like stab wounds, infections or inflammation. In such cases it is expected that the bowel will make a full recovery, making the procedure temporary. 

There are a number of documented conditions that may require a colostomy or ileostomy. These are conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, blocked bowel, bowel cancer, bowel inflammation, diverticulitis, bowel infections, ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis. 

Procedure

Before undergoing any of the two procedures, your Doctor will often take the time to discuss any concerns you might have and answer any questions such as hygiene, body image and sexual activity. Your Doctor will also take a look at your medical history, examine any medications you are taking such as over-the-counter-drugs, herbals, vitamins or minerals and will discuss the risks, complications and possible side-effects of the operation to help you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. 

Once you complete your consultation. You will be prepared for the surgery. The colostomy and ileostomy procedures are very similar and serve the same function, therefore the surgical procedures are the same. 

You might be asked to take on a liquid diet ahead of your procedure to help with cleansing and antibiotic medications. Once in the OR, a general anaesthetic will be administered and your Surgeon will open the agreed upon marked point on your abdomen, which is commonly located on the lower right side of the abdomen and pull out the healthy portion of your intestine and sew it to the stoma(opening). 

Then a clean plastic bag will be attached to the stoma to collect waste and the incision will be closed with stitches. During this time, the unhealthy part of your bowel will be removed. 

After Care

Following the procedure, you will be given intravenous infusions to help you grow accustomed to the process of having a stoma. During this time, a small tube might be inserted into your stomach which will remove any excess that would’ve otherwise gone to your intestines to help your body recuperate. 

You will be taught how to properly dress your wound and keep it clean to avoid infection and your care team will teach you how to change your bag. This process takes close to a week but recovery can take over three weeks, so prepare to give yourself a stress free time to ensure you gain your health and confidence back.