Inspecting Your Stoma for any Problems

Checking a stoma

At each pouch change, check your stoma for color, shape and function. Watch for stenosis, prolapse or swelling. Urostomates should be on the lookout for crystal formation. Be conscious of any stoma complication.

Bleeding stoma
A bleeding can occur with rubbing of the stoma because the mucous membrane, out of which the stoma is formed, is highly vascular. The bleeding usually stops quickly otherwise, see a doctor.

Can a stoma get cut?
Cuts or lacerations of the stoma can occur and some can be quite serious. Since a stoma has no sensory nerves, it can get without causing no pain. Causes of stoma laceration can include
1) shifting of wafer or pouch
2) too small an opening of the pouch
3) incorrect pouch application etc

How should a stoma be protected?
Protect stoma's from direct physical blows, tight clothing and belt buckles.

Antibiotic Side Effects

Antibiotic Side Effects

Many times ostomates who must take powerful antibiotics suddenly find they have itching and
burning under their pouches and have poor pouch adhesion. A side effect of antibiotic therapy can be
a yeast infection on the skin around the stoma. You may hear health professionals call this monilia.

At first it may appear as tiny white pimples, but in a few days it is a red rash. This is caused by the
antibiotic killing some normal bacteria in the body as well as the bacteria causing infection or illness.

At the same time you may also notice sores in your mouth, diarrhea, and a similar rash on the perineal area.

Contact your doctor for a prescription of mycostatin or nystatin powder. Put the powder directly on the irritated area. Apply a coat of silicone skin barrier such as Skin Prep or Bard Pro- tective Skin Barrier,

Let this dry!!! Apply your pouching system as usual. Eating foods such as yogurt or drinking
buttermilk helps to replace some of the normal bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

(Edited by B. Brewer, 12/2011 UOAA Update)

Tips on How to Avoid Leakages #2

Too Infrequent Emptying:
Pouches should be emptied before they become half full. If they are allowed to overfill, the weight of
the affluent may break the seal and cause leakage.

Extremely High Temperatures:
Wafer melt-out may cause leakage in warm weather. More frequent changes will prevent this.

Pouch Wear and Tear:
Disposable wafers do wear out. If you are stretching your wear time, leakage may be due to the wafer
wearing out. Change your appliance more frequently.

Improperly Stored Appliance and Ageing Materials:
Store your ostomy supplies in a cool dry place, humidity may affect your pouch adhesive. Appliances don’t last forever. However, you can use expired appliances without damage to the peristomal skin.

Tips on How to Avoid Leakages

How to Avoid Leakage:

Folds or Creases: 
If folds or creases develop in the skin, and leakage occurs along the crease, wafer pieces or ostomy paste can be used to build up the area in order to avoid leakage.

Peristomal Skin Irritation: 
Pouches will not stick well to irritated skin.

Improper Pouch Angle: 
If the pouch does not hang vertically, the weight of its contents can exert an uneven twisting pull on the wafer and cause leakage. Find the best angle based on individual body configuration.

Adhesive Non Sting Skin Barriers and Adhesive Removers

Urostomy Bag

Para sa may urinary diversion at gumagamit ng urostomy bag, maari kayo makahingi ng urostomy bags through colostomy friends. first come first serve na lang po at konti lang po ang available. Salamat po.

More Ostomy Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks—Ostomy Tips from Ostomates...
Reviewed By Our Local WOCNs, 2012
Courtesy of the Metro Maryland Ostomy Association’s Thrive

Stoma Care:
1. If your car seat belt rides over the stoma, use a small cushion/pillow between you and the belt, or try placing a clothespin at the top of the belt in order to wear the seat belt more loosely
without losing the safety of the belt.

2. Sometimes the stoma moves in and out—this is called peristalsis and is the natural movement of the intestine.

3. Almost impossible for a stoma to get infected. The natural coating of mucus keeps bacteria from sticking.

4. Don’t be afraid to take a shower without your pouch. Soap cannot hurt the stoma. Rinse your skin well. Hold a cold compress over the peristomal skin for a few seconds (closes the pores), then apply your appliance.

Skin Care:
1. Common causes of skin irritation are: leakage from effluent onto the skin, allergic reactions to the adhesive material in a wafer or tape, or improper hygiene.

2. Cleanse, rinse, and pat skin dry between pouch changes

3. Avoid oily or fatty soaps (e.g., Dove) that can leave a film interfering with proper adhesion of the skin barrier. Also, Ivory soap is too dry for the skin.

4. If correctly applied, a wafer will usually prevent leakage.

5. If your skin is uneven due to scarring or indentations, use paste, barrier rings, or strip paste to fill in
the depressions to make a smooth pouching surface.

6. If the skin under the wafer becomes red, open, or blistered—remove the wafer, clean the skin and
apply skin barrier powder followed by a non-alcohol skin sealant until the redness/open areas clear up.

7. A pinpoint red rash under the wafer is usually a yeast infection (quite common) and must be treated with antifungal powder.

8. Use a hair dryer on cool setting to dry a rash/open skin—never use a heat lamp which might burn the stoma and the surrounding skin.

9. Avoid skin creams and ointments under your wafer as this will interfere with the adhesion.

10. When removing the wafer, do not peel it away from your skin. Push the skin away from the adhesive.

11. For itching under the wafer or tape, mix 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water; apply gauze sponges, soak the skin for 5-10 minutes or use the solution in a spray bottle. Dry the
skin well before applying the wafer.

Pointers For The New Ostomate

Pointers For The New Ostomate
Via Big Sky Informer and Stoma-Life Newsletters

There is no one answer to the question, “Why me?” but it is normal to ask, and you do need to work through the process. Each person’s ostomy is different, even as our fingerprints are different.
Support and information received from someone who has an ostomy can be helpful. Ask your doctor or WOC nurse to arrange for an ostomy visitor.

It is your ostomy; learn to manage it and don’t let your ostomy manage you. In the beginning it is normal for your ostomy care to be the center of your existence; however, with time and practice
your ostomy and its care will become just a normal part of your life.

Basic management skills can be learned like new experiences; any problems that develop must be met and managed as they occur.

With time and experience, you will become comfortable with your
ostomy care.

You are alive! You will get better and stronger. Give yourself time to get over your ostomy surgery, adjust to this body change, and adapt to your ostomy

Group Picture

Sa susunod na meeting, christmas party naman po for December 2013, sa mga dumalo ng meeting at kamustahan noong June 28, 2013 - maraming salamat po. Ang mga meeting po ay walang registration, welcome po ang walk-in. Kapag may available na colobags ay dinidistribute at pinamimigay namin po ito na walang bayad.

Notice of Ostomy Meeting

Announcement:
May get together and meeting po ang mga ostomates sa National Kidney Institute sa darating na Friday. Ang NKI ay nasa East Avenue, Quezon City. Ang venue po ay sa Conference room 1. Ito ay mula 2:00 pm hanggang 3:30 pm.

Sana po ay makadalo kayo. Para sa mga ibang katanungan maari po kayo mag text sa 0926(7685887).
May mga libre na ibibigay na colobags na convex type and mga flat one piece pouch para sa nangangailangan. Maraming salamat po.

Ostomy Bags

May good news po:

Sa mga nangangailangan ng colostomy bag, may mga ipapamahagi na libre na colostomy bag. Ito po ay mga one piece bags na flat at convex. Dansac brand. Sa mga interested, paantay po ng date at sa venue. Salamat po

National Federation of Ostomates of the Philippines,Inc

Ostomy Lay Forum

Invite namin ang mga ostomates na sumali sa aming lay forum sa April 25, 2013
Sana po ay makadalo po kayo.

Colostomy Friends

Support us with our t-shirts for fund raising project. Nag hahanap po kami ng nag priprint with affordable price para sa quotation para maitinda namin ang shirt at a very reasonable and low price.
Tapos we welcome too other designs. Salamat po.

SSS Sickness and Disability Benefits

Sana makapagtulungan tayo kung ang isang ostomate ay maari makapag claim sa SSS. Kung may mga additional info katulad ng pag post ni Sir Anton and Sir Jun, baka makatulong sa atin lahat.

FB Account of SSS

Meron silang video file regarding paano mag file ng disability pero ang question ay considered disability ba ang colostomy. Sana matugunan natin ito.

Ang contact number ng SSS ay (632) 920-6401 or 920-6446 at member_relations@sss.gov.ph.

SSS Sickness Benefit

The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.

A member is qualified to avail himself of this benefit if:

• he is unable to work due to sickness or injury and is thus confined either in the hospital or at home for at least four days;
• he has paid at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of sickness;
• he has used up all current company sick leaves with pay for the current year;
• he has notified his employer or the SSS, if he is a separated, voluntary or self-employed member

Sickness Benefit Computation

The amount of an employee’s sickness benefit is computed as the daily sickness allowance times the approved number of days. Effective May 24, 1997, the daily sickness allowance is 90 per cent of the average daily salary credit.

The sickness benefit is computed by:

• Excluding the semester of sickness. A semester refers to a period of two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of sickness. A quarter refers to a period of three consecutive months ending on the last day of March, June, September or December.
• Counting 12 months backwards starting from the month immediately before the semester of sickness.
• Identifying the six highest monthly salary credits within the 12-month period. Monthly salary credit means the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the total earnings for the month. (The maximum covered earnings or compensation increases by P1,000 beginning at P7,000 in 1994 and every January of each year thereafter until the maximum of P12,000 is reached.)
• Adding the six highest monthly salary credits to get the total monthly salary credit.
• Dividing the total monthly salary credit by 180 days to get the average daily salary credit.
• Multiplying the average daily salary credit by 90 per cent to get the daily sickness allowance.
• Multiplying the daily sickness allowance by the approved number of days to arrive at the amount of benefit due.

Eligibility

A member can be granted sickness benefit for a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year. Any unused portion of the allowable 120 days sickness benefit cannot be carried forward and added to the total number of allowable compensable days in the subsequent year.

The sickness benefit shall not be paid for more than 240 days on account of the same illness. If the sickness or injury still persists after 240 days, the claim will be considered a disability claim

SSS Disability Benefits

Disability benefit is a cash benefit paid to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or totally.

A member who suffer partial or total permanent disability, with at least one monthly contribution paid to the SSS prior to the semester of contingency, is qualified.

The complete and permanent loss of use of any of the following parts of the body fall under permanent partial disability:

• one thumb one big toe
• one index finger one hand
• one middle finger one arm
• one ring finger one foot
• one little finger one leg
• hearing of one ear one ear
• hearing of both ears both ears
• sight of one eye

The following fall under permanent total disability:

• complete loss of sight of both eyes;
• loss of two limbs at or above the ankle or wrists;
• permanent complete paralysis of two limbs;
• brain injury causing insanity; and
• other cases as determined and approved by the SSS.

There are two types of this benefit. They are:

• the monthly pension; and
• the lump sum amount.

The monthly pension is a cash benefit paid to a disabled member who has paid at least 36 monthly contributions to the SSS prior to the semester of disability.

The lump sum amount is granted to those who have not paid the required 36 monthly contributions.

The amount of the monthly pension will be based on the member’s number of paid contributions and his years of membership.

The lowest monthly pension is P1,000 for members with less than 10 calendar years of service (CYS); P1,200 for those with at least 10 CYS and P2,400 for those with at least 20 CYS.

For permanent total disability, the lump sum is equivalent to the monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid to the SSS or the monthly pension times 12, whichever is higher.

For permanent partial disability, the lump sum is equivalent to the monthly pension time the number of monthly contributions times the percentage of disability in relation to the whole body or the monthly pension times 12 times the percentage of disability, whichever is higher.

In addition to the monthly pension, a supplemental allowance of P500 is paid to the total or partial disability pensioner. The allowance will provide additional financial assistance to meet his extra needs arising from his disability.

As a disability pensioner, he and his dependents are also entitled to Medicare benefits under the administration of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Only totally and permanently disabled members will receive a lifetime monthly pension. However, this pension will be suspended if the pensioner recovers from his illness, resumes employment or fails to report for physical examination when notified by the SSS. The member may request for a domicilliary or a home visit if his disability inhibits his activity.

The monthly pension of a partially disabled member is limited to a certain number of months according to the degree of his disability. If with deteriorating and related permanent partial disability, the percentage degree of disability of the previously granted claim shall be deducted from the percentage degree of disability of the present claim.

The monthly pension is given in a lump sum if it is payable for less than 12 months.

Colostomy Reversal

Colostomies divert stool from the colon to an opening on the abdominal wall. While many colostomies are permanent, some are placed temporarily to allow damaged bowel to heal after infection or removal of a portion of the intestine. In these cases, the bowel is later sewn back together, a procedure called a colostomy takedown, although in around 8 percent of cases, the bowel can't be reconnected as planned, the Colostomy Association states. Colostomy reversal can be done through an open incision or laparoscopically, using very small incisions. Serious complications can ensue during or after a colostomy reversal.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/227810-complications-of-colostomy-reversal/#ixzz2OScpSXEm

Looking for a ostomy support group, join us at colostomy friends. We are forming support groups among young people. We have meetings where we share experiences and enjoy each others company. Help us plan outings and other activities for young ostomates (teenagers).

Kung gusto sumali, maaring mag text sa 0926.768.5887 para sa mga katanungan. Hindi lang kabataan ang bumubuo ng mga grupo, may mga senior citizens na may colostomy bag ay hinihikayat rin namin na sumali sa mga meeting. Maraming salamat po.

Posted by:
Ron

Where to Find Ostomy Support Group in the Philippines

Nakita ko ang link na ito na tumutukoy sa Colostomy Friends. Salamat. Link

Colostomy Friends of the Philippines (Facebook)

Please add us in our new Facebook Page Account, Post po your questions and suggestions to make ostomy advocacy in the Philippines strong. Thank you very much.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is one form of cancer which develops slowly over a period of many years. It is a cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the inner lining of the colon or rectum.  It commonly develops from a tumor, an abnormal tissue which can be benign or malignant or from a polyp, a non-cancerous tumor.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and accounted for 608,000 deaths, affecting mostly individuals over 50 years of age. The incidence rate of the disease is more than 14 times higher in adults 50 years and older than in those younger than 50.

In the Philippines, colorectal cancer ranks fourth among the cancer-related deaths of Filipinos. According to the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc., almost 75 percent of the individuals affected were aged 50 and above while only about three percent were children 14 years old and below. It is estimated that one out of 1800 Filipinos will develop the cancer yearly.

Individuals who have personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps in the rectum or colon and inflammatory bowel disease are at high-risk. Lifestyle factors, particularly diet, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity were reported as risk factors. Studies showed that diet rich in fat and deficient in whole grains, fruits and vegetables increases the risk of getting the disease.

Most early colorectal cancers have no symptoms. why people were advised to consult a doctor whenever they experience any of the following symptoms: changes in bowel habits such as frequent diarrhea and/or constipation, especially when accompanied by abdominal discomfort, weight loss, unexplained anemia, and blood in the stool.

Two decades of awareness campaigns were pushed by the Department of Health (DOH) to inform the public that colorectal cancer like any other cancers can be cured if detected early. DOH encourages people to maintain healthy lifestyle by engaging in physical activities, eating a balanced diet, reducing alcohol intake and avoiding smoking to decrease the risk of acquiring the disease.

At the moment, the Department of Health Philippine Cancer Control Program (DOH/PCCP) recommends screening for colorectal cancer for all persons aged 50 years and above as colon cancer increases risk after the age of 50.

by Miss Hipolito

Where is your Ostomy

By Jess Grossman

Check out uncover ostomy and find out the advocacy of Jessica Grossman. She is a brave young woman with crohn's disease but has faced life with determination and hope.

Sleeping in Prone Position

It is possible for people with a stoma to sleep facing the bed or in the prone position. It is by the use of the pillows where some would like to be comfortable with.

The picture shows a paraplegic with a colostomy bag as an example.

What more for able bodied people with just a colostomy bag. They can roll over the bed provided the pouch is empty. The pouch bags we have now are durable. Have a good sleep.


posted by
Cynthia RN

Convex Wafers

If you need this colostomy bags for better quality of life, contact us. Priority to poor patients in the Philippines. It is not for sale.

If you will use a convex wafer with a stoma that is NOT recessed, the wafer or flange might just be wasted.

Recessed Stoma

Recessed Stoma is where the stoma is retracted creating a space that is deep around the peristomal area.

The best way to prevent leakages is through stoma paste or much better the use of Convex Flanges or wafers.

We are providing convex colostomy bags for patients with recessed stoma. Contact us.
Priority if for poor patients in the Philippines.

Network Post Paid and Prepaid Numbers

SUN
0922
0923

GLOBE / TM
0906 tm
0907
0915 Globe/Islacom
0916 Globe/TM
0917 Globe(w/ Postpaid)
0926 Globe/TM
0927 Globe

SMART / Talk and Text
0910 Smart/tnt
0918 Smart(w/ Postpaid)
0919 Smart/TnT
0920 Smart/TnT/Addict
0921 Smart/TnT
0928 Smart

Extelcom
0912