Ostomy Lay Forum - November 20, 2014

Invite namin po ang mga ostomates na sumama sa aming support group meeting at Lay Forum kung saan puede masagot ang inyong mga katanungan,

Maraming salamat po.

How can I stop my colostomy bag from smelling?

 

 

 

Check Your diet

Some foods are particularly likely to cause a smell. You could try reducing or cutting out

• Onions
• Cabbage, sprouts and similar vegetables
• Beans
• Strongly spiced foods, or foods with a lot of garlic
• Beer and other gassy drinks
• Very rich or fatty foods

You may need to try out various foods to find which ones cause wind for you.

Use Anti odour products

There are products that can help to mask the smell from a colostomy. They are often liquids, and you use a few drops each time you change your bag. These are a last resort, because you shouldn't have this problem if at all possible. But some people have a lot of difficulty finding the perfect fit from a colostomy bag and these products can then help.

Select Correct Type of colostomy bag

There are many different types of colostomy bag. Different ones suit different people. So you might have to try a few before you find the one that suits you best. Some have charcoal filters built into them. Charcoal is good for absorbing smells and the filter lets gas escape from the bag so that it does not become too full and uncomfortable. If the bag fits properly you should only be aware of the smell when you are changing or emptying the bag.

Stomas are different shapes and sizes. So, some bags may not fit you and others will. If the bag does not fit properly you are likely to have problems with smell and possibly leakage. You could get in touch with a stoma nurse at your hospital. Specialist stoma nurses can get different types of bags for you to try. And they will help you fit them.

 

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