Tops Concerns For People With A Stoma

Here in this article, we will discuss the top concerns for people with a stoma. The purpose of this post is to let those people know what to do to avoid and get rid of those problems or issues.

Wind (Flatus)

Everyone passes wind, but things may become uncomfortable or embarrassing if you have a stoma. Having a stoma means no control over your stomal output and the passage of the flatus. Here is what you can do to avoid passing too much gas.

• First and foremost, you have to pay attention to your diet. If you have a colostomy, you may need to reduce green vegetables, onions, and fruits from your daily diet routine. If you have an ileostomy, you will need to be cautious while eating peas, beans, onions, and green vegetables. This problem also has a lot to do with how your body reacts to certain foods. Therefore, you have to discuss it with your doctor or a nutritionist.
• Fizzy drinks can cause a lot of wind. For some people, having these drinks during mealtime can be particularly problematic.
• Using ostomy pouches with built-in flatus filters can be quite helpful because they help prevent the ostomy pouch from ballooning. The charcoal in the filter neutralizes any odor before the gas escapes from the pouch.
• Natural yogurt can neutralize odor-producing bacteria in the gut. It can also help reduce excess wind.

Odor

The good thing is that almost all ostomy pouching systems made today are odor-proof. Using such ostomy pouches limits the odor emission only to the time when you change or empty the pouch. You can also purchase deodorants in the form of drops, sprays, or powders to neutralize these odors. You can ask a specialist nurse for help in this regard.

An odor-related problem is almost always due to what you eat or drink. That is why paying attention to your diet is the first and foremost thing to consider when it comes to reducing ostomy odors.

Pancaking

This problem refers to feces sticking around the stoma. It is more prevalent in people with a colostomy. Here is what you can do to avoid pancaking.

• You can cover the flatus filter to avoid the release of gas the entire time. It will help prevent the formation of a vacuum inside the ostomy pouch.
• Placing a cotton wool ball in the ostomy pouch helps it retain some air inside it. It also prevents the formation of a vacuum.
• Applying some oil to the inside surface of an ostomy pouch helps feces slide down the bottom.
• Not drinking enough water can be another reason for pancaking. Increasing your fluid intake can help prevent this issue for good.
• Using lubricating deodorants can also help prevent feces from gathering around the stoma. It also reduces ostomy odor.

Sore Skin

Skin soreness happens to everyone at some stage. It is best to know the cause of this soreness and deal with it accordingly. As a rule of thumb, be sure to wash your stoma and the skin around it with warm water. Avoid using soap as it can leave a residue. If you think that you will need to use some products anyway, ask your nurse for suggestions.