Stoma Care & Complications

Four Types of Ostomy Pouch Clips: Know Your Options

2021-10-30T09:20:00.001-07:00

Ostomy pouch clips are a small but essential part of ostomy care. Ostomy pouch clips come in four different styles: plastic, metal, fabric, and paper. When you have an ostomy bag on your abdomen or side to collect waste from a damaged or diseased section of the colon, you need to ensure that it is securely sealed so as not to leak.

Qualities of A Good Ostomy Pouch

The first part of an ostomy pouch clip is the actual design. As previously mentioned, there are four different types of clips that you can use to secure your bag: plastic, metal snap-on, fabric, and paper.

Next, it is important to consider whether or not you like a clip that has an adhesive on one side of your bag and then adheres to itself to seal uptight. This style means there are no extra pieces involved that can simplify things for you if necessary. It also comes with dual-lock technology, which means that there is no way for it to slide up or down while you are wearing it.

Plastic Clips

Plastic is a good choice for those who have skin sensitivities as it tends to be a lot softer than metal which may irritate the skin.

Paper Clips

Paper pouch clips are an economical choice that works well with those who need a very low-cost, disposable option for their ostomy bag needs. It does not require any adhesive as it simply slides onto the top of your bag. This option is best used with those who have skin sensitivities or allergies.

Metallic Clips

Metal snap-on styles are more affordable. They come in various sizes. However, you will need to ensure that your bag fits within their measurements. The metal clip is best for those who have a strong sense of security and do not want to worry about the adhesive losing its hold at any point during wear.

Fabric Clips

Fabric pouch clips are great because they offer you an alternative if your skin has allergies. However, it holds onto itself in much the same way as the adhesive style. This clip is less bulky.

EasiClose

The EasiClose is a new type of ostomy pouch clip that offers you the ease and convenience of an adhesive system. However, it also allows for flexibility when it comes to removing or adjusting your bag without causing disruption.

This unique, patented design works in much the same way as other styles by adhering to another surface on one end before it is pressed together and secured. While some find this design to be a little more challenging than other options, it comes with the benefit of not needing any adhesive that can irritate your skin. The adhesive option can cause damage if you forget that you have one attached before washing your clothes.

InvisiClose

The InvisiClose is the only ostomy pouch clip on this list to feature a second surface for adhesion. Such features can make it difficult if you are looking for something that will not irritate your skin or cause damage. Still, another side of velcro attached is attached, which means you can easily remove and adjust your bag during wear without disrupting your clothing or other accessories.

Lock n Roll

The Lock n Roll is an excellent option for those who need something that will hold firmly in place throughout wear. However, it can be difficult to remove and adjust if you are not used to this style.

This clip features an adhesive on one side of the bag which means there is no way for your pouch or skin sensitivities to become irritated during wear. It is best for those looking to provide extra security without needing an additional side of velcro that can be easily removed by someone else. Nonetheless, it does mean that you cannot adjust the bag yourself if required.

Ostomy care accessories:

2019-07-01T08:28:00.003-07:00

Ostomy care needs, minimally, a skin barrier and a pouch.TO ensure a safe, protected, and predictable seal, some patients use additional accessories. Some common additional supplies are pastes, clips or belts, etc. While selecting additional accessories you must consider the Ostomy care:

Protection of stoma from any trauma
Stool doesn’t come in contact with stoma
Skin and stoma remain safe from the used products
Preserving the patient’s dignity
Simple to use
Not too expensive

You should always remember these principles when you consider the benefits of any additional accessory for your Ostomy care.

Individuals+ facing ostomies have a more sense of creativity and innovation, because they are intended to find a product that will help them to manage their Ostomy in a good manner.

In this article, we have discussed some of the common most reviewed products.

Ostowash System

Ostowash is a system that helps you to sanitize and clean your Ostomy bag. It consists of a washbasin (stainless steel) that is attached to a wall beside the toilet, at the level of the toilet tank. When you have to drain your pouch, it is placed over the toilet and when not in use, you can place it out of the way in a standing position.

The system requires installation, which includes connecting a T-line to the waterline of your toilet and installing it on a nearby wall surface. Attaching a faceplate that matches your flange size allows you to customize the basin for usage. According to the website, the device costs the same as a refrigerator. The makers advocate using their cleaning solution, Ecolab.

In some aspects, ostowash can’t be a feasible and appropriate option. It is a huge and prominent system with a great expense. It can be easily noticed in a bathroom, reducing privacy and thus requiring closure to anybody using this facility.

It lacks immobility, that’s why you would need two techniques to drain your pouch.

The ostowash at home and the usual technique of draining via the tail while you are not at home i.e. traveling, shopping, and dining out. It can accidentally limit your activities if you are outside the home, as you may not feel at ease with this traditional procedure.

It is not confirmed if this procedure will work for all pouching systems or not. It is mostly used by people who use a two-piece pouching system. However, there is no evidence of the effect of the cleanser on the adhesion and coupling mechanism. It also doesn’t affect the odor-resistant ability of the pouch.

The cost-effectiveness would be determined by a variety of criteria, including the cost of the system and cleansers vs. the possible cost savings achieved by lower pouch consumption. If you have a temporary stoma, the installation of this system may not help you. The size of your bathroom may be a constraint since there must be sufficient clearance between the toilet and the vanity. as well as any surrounding walls/counters to accommodate the Ostowash There is no information available on warranty or maintenance services.

Stay-Dry pro pump

This latex sleeve can fit over your abdomen, and it works on the same principle that is used to avoid the water touching bandages or casts on the arms and legs during activities like swimming and bathing. The patient simply put this leave on the pouch and an air pump is used to extract the air. This way we can get a waterproof seal. This sleeve usually ranges from 110 inches (25 cm and it is available in several sizes. You are required to pull it over your pouch and abdomen to release the vacuum so that you can remove it easily.

Because the sleeve is suctioned, it does not allow the pouch expansion during the stoma function. It is the best option for people who have a frequent stomal function. They can use it for a short period such as while bathing or swimming and enjoy their leisure time without any discomfort. It has been unknown if the Stay-Dry pro pump can be seen through swimming suits. Patterned suits are more preferred to conceal the pockets than solid color suits.

You don’t need this device in your daily routine of bathing and swimming. An uncovered pouching system can tolerate the wetness associated with these activities. You can dry the pouch quickly by using an air dryer. In case if you like physical activities such as water skiing and long soaks in tubs, then this gadget can be the best option for you and it comes with a better sense of security.

People with latex allergies are not welcomed to use this product.

It is hard for some individuals to pass gas out of a pouching system. Integrated circuits are used for this purpose but they have following disadvantages:

Delayed time in gas release
Pouch billow
Filter clogging due to stool (liquid stool)

Osto-EZ-Vent is a good replacement for the people who don’t like to open the pouch to let the gas out i.e. burping or tail opening.

It is attached with the pouch just like the nipple on the beach ball. A tape is used to attach it with a pouch. So that gas is not accumulated in the pouch instead it vents out without any delay. There is no deodorizing filter in the pouch; it is just used as a gas releasing valve in the pouch. It is also an alternative for individuals who can’t use integrated filters due to leakage concerns (ileostomies). We can’t say anything about the working of the vent under extreme pressure such as during overfilled pouches.

The comfy drive is used to protect stoma from seatbelt rubbing and any trauma. It is a cushioned over that is attached and fitted with the seatbelts. You can use it on both your waist and shoulders. Most of the time the piles of the clothes are not enough to protect stoma, if you are worried about this then Comfy Drive is the best option to consider

You can interchange it with different cars. The retail price is almost $ 25.

How to manage Ostomy during pregnancy?

2019-07-01T08:22:00.003-07:00

There is nothing to worry about the stoma and your pregnancy. You need not worry about your pregnancy and delivery even though you are having a stoma. Several women experience no complications and risks before and after the delivery, it’s normal and safe. But here are several things you must take care of during your pregnancy and after the birth also.

Changes that occur during the gestation period:

The most prominent changes occur in the stoma. It can change in its:

Height
Degree of protrusion
Diameter

These changes also affect peristomal skin (creases, curves, and dips)

With the passing days as the fetus starts growing and you gain weight; there is a decrease in stomal projection and there may be an increase in its diameter. There are also chances that the skin around the stoma may flatten out. During your gestation period, the stoma may change its color and it may become less visible. But don’t worry its functions will remain the same. You just need to change your stoma appliances to cope up with the increase in stomal height and diameter. The most common example is changing your flange. If you have been using a flat flange, now you need to replace it with a curved flange. In the first trimester, there are not many changes in the stomal orientation. However, during the end of the second trimester and start of the third trimester when you start to gain more weight, changing your products is necessary. If you will not switch to the other products it may develop the risk for skin irritation and stomal laceration.

Post-partum changes:

It is recommended not to shop too many products at a time because the changes in body and stoma are very sudden and dramatic during the last trimesters. So you may need to switch to the different sizes with every coming day. Most of the famous brands offer samples that can be used as a free trial. You can also contact your ET nurse. She can help you to choose the products for you throughout your gestation period. She can also help you with using these products.

They're also the number of changes in your peristomal skin after the delivery. Some common changes are:

Less taut skin
More wrinkles around the stoma
The stoma may begin to protrude again.

After delivering the baby you will lose weight and it will bring changes in your body one after another. That’s why you need to make changes in your pouching system accordingly. Depending on the alteration and variations in your body weight after the delivery, it is hard to decide whether you can use those appliances which you were using before pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Ileostomy:

Usually, nausea and vomiting that are related to morning sickness can cause problems if you have an ileostomy. Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration due to fluids and electrolyte imbalances. Nausea may affect your appetite, and it can be bad for you and your baby. In this case, you must have regular checkups by the physician so that she can introduce intravenous nutrients into your body. This shows how dehydration and other weaknesses can be avoided.

Pregnancy and colostomy

In case if you have a colostomy this can cause constipation with the advancing trimesters. If constipation prolongs then you can consult with your ET. She will prescribe you any medicine or any remedy that will be safe for you and your baby as well. If you are having a colostomy and you are used to performing irrigation, it can be a concern for the later stages of pregnancy. With the advancing days, you may not be able to install an adequate amount of water that is needed for irrigation. This will lead to discontinuous leakages. You will also observe that you are not able to insert the cones properly and ultimately water can’t reach inside your body. You may need to stop irrigation in the last trimesters and use any alternative. But you can start irrigation after some period of delivery.

It has been observed that some women feel difficulty in the irrigation of the pouch during the second and third trimesters. It’s hard for women to place a catheter inside the stoma. This problem can be solved by following the steps mentioned below:

Use more lubricant
Lying supine during the insertion of catheters
Use a relatively smaller catheter

Problems related to Ostomy care

If you decide to use a small catheter then you must avoid high fiber foods. This will ensure that the pouch is irrigated and drained properly. You can seek help from a dietitian for this matter.

There is also the possibility that you may not see the stoma because of your weight and large stomach. You may need a perched mirror to perform your Ostomy care. You can also use a longer ouch that will help you to drain the pouch easily in the toilet. Most of the women prefer to drain the pouch in containers placed on the bathroom counter. It prevents them from the extra struggle to visualize their stoma.

Risks

There are chances of some complications following the delivery. You may develop:

Parastomal hernia (hernia around the stoma)

Abnormal lengthening of the stoma (prolapsed stomas)

Your ET can support you to manage the complications after your delivery. If you will stay connected with your health care team it will be good for the health of your baby and it will allow you to enjoy your precious moments.

What is Parastomal Hernia?

2018-07-01T09:30:00.002-07:00

If there is an abnormal protrusion or outpouching of the bowel from a feeble area in the abdominal wall, this condition is called a hernia. If you are having a hernia then the weeknd area is around the stoma opening in the abdomen. You can observe a slight bulge to a very large protrusion, depending on the size of the weakened area. Sometimes the prostration is so large that it can be noticed easily under the clothes. There are many things that you should know about how to manage a hernia.

Almost 5- 10 % of people with colostomies have chances to develop hernia and almost 3-10% of patients with ileostomy also develop a hernia. However, it is difficult to know who might be affected by parastomal hernia. Some factors can help you to predict it before its development.

Location of the stoma: Typically, when a new stoma is created, it must be brought through a muscle present in the abdomen that is referred to as rectus abdominis. If the stoma is placed outside this muscle this may develop a hernia.
Obesity: People with a lot of fats or obesity have more chances to develop a hernia than others.
Malnutrition: If you don’t take a well-balanced diet or you have a poor diet after the surgery, this will not only affect the healing time but also weaken your parastomal area.
Age: Advancing age can be the reason for poor muscle tone. This will develop hernia more easily.
Increased intra-abdominal pressure: The conditions such as severe coughing, severe sneezing, or lifting a heavy object can also weaken the muscles of the abdomen near the stoma; this will be the reason for the increased pressure within the abdomen that can lead to a hernia.
Infection following stoma surgery: Any kind of infection can weaken the muscles of the abdominal wall and leads to a parastomal hernia.

When does a hernia develop?

Parastomal hernias may occur just after the surgery and in other cases, it takes many years to happen. Usually, people (80%) don’t experience any complications during hernias and recover without any interventions. The rest of the 20% may notice some symptoms that need to be resolved immediately. In some cases, a hernia can be noticed only in a certain position such as if you are standing or sitting. And this will disappear if you lie on your back. In some cases, a hernia can be noticed in any position.

How to manage parastomal hernia?

Abdominal discomfort can be caused due to parastomal hernias. Many people complain about the tightness, tautness, and weight of the parastomal area which is not painful but the patients become uncomfortable. If you will use a hernia belt or an undergarment such as lycra it can help you to avoid this discomfort. The belt should be according to the size of your abdomen, and it must have a hole that fixes exactly around the stoma and allows the Ostomy pouch to connect with the stoma. In case of severe and continuous pain or discomfort, you should call your doctor without wasting any time. Your ET can help you to choose between a Lycra and belt according to your condition.

Main Concerns

The size and shape of the stoma may also be affected by parastomal hernia. The changes in stomal size and shape are more prominent when you are sitting, standing, or lying on your back. In case of a large hernia, it is hard to examine your stoma and you need to struggle for your Ostomy care. These changes in stoma size and shape can also bring leakages in Ostomy bags and can irritate peristomal skin. You should consult with your ET nurse to cope up with this problem.

When surgery is needed?

This can be a reason for abdominal bloating (distention). There can be a need for surgery, that’s why you should consult with your surgeon if you feel any of these signs. Moreover, a hernia can prevent the normal functioning of the stoma. If this happens with you, there is an immediate need to see your medical expert. Patients who have colostomy along with parastomal hernia, and they use an irrigation method, they need to stop irrigation at this point. If irrigation is not stopped it can cause other complications. You can ask for help from your ET about the regular pouching system.

Some people dislike the bulge that occurs due to the parastomal hernia and they want to fix it through surgery. It’s better to discuss with your surgeon whether surgery will work for you. There are different methods to resolve this issue. For example, the stoma can be shifted to the opposite side, closing the hernia or local repair at the stoma site. If surgery is recommended; then the surgeon will discuss with you the basic risk, complication, and procedure.

Ostomy Accessories

2018-03-03T04:59:00.001-08:00

You’ve probably been sent home after your ostomy with a paste, powder, and skin wipes. You may wonder why in the world you are given this? They are different accessories that may not be needed, but there are a lot of reasons for this, and here, we’ll go over the accessories and the uses for each of these accessories.

Paste

The paste is usually thick and similar to a toothpaste, and is essentially different in the way that it’s sed. It’s basically a barrier that is a part of the flange system. While it may seem like a “glue” because of the name paste, it’s actually similar to caulking than anything else. Paste is used on the inner part and the edges of you flange, protecting the skin that’s there from stool that’s exposed.

The paste pretty much fills in those gaps left by the flange, in order to protect your skin as well. You also can use this for creases and the like if you have different rivets in the area. Not everyone who has a stoma needs paste, but if you have a colostomy, you may want to consider using this, depending on the barrier that’s employed.

Powder

Powder for your stoma is pretty much a ground up version of the barrier parts of the flange. The powder is limited with absorption, and it’s used to help with irritated skin and other issues. When this is sprinkled in the areas affected, you then seal it with a wipe, since if used just by itself, it may not allow for adhesion of the pouch to the skin itself.

Powder s not always needed in ostomy care, since it’s the same as a barrier, but if you have irritation and the like, it may offer some benefit as well. Routine usage does cost a bit, and it does increase the time between changes, but if you have a skin condition, this will help as well.

Wipes

Wipes are another part of this. There are adhesive wipes that are used to remove the paste in the ostomy care, but it may not be necessary. If your skin isn’t irritated, you can gently move the flange pulling I away, helping to take off the pouching system. The adhesive removers work well if you have a lot of adhesive or paste, or if there are fabric fibers which gather near the edge.

You do need to clean up the skin well after you use this, before you put on a new pouching system, since if you don’t do this, it may cause sensitivity of the skin, and also bad adhesion.They also have skin protector wipes, which when they are applied directly, dries fast, and then from there creates a film or barrier that helps protect the skin, and offers a bit of a stronger adhesive to the system as well. Most ostomy pouches are designed for gentle adhesion though, and not to cause trauma to the body as well.

Routine use of this normally isn’t’ required, as it is costly, it can cause issues with the skin, ad it will not automatically increase overhaul adhesion when applying a new pouching system. Again, all of these are accessories, and not every single person needs these accessories if they’re going to be using a stoma bag and the like. But if you do suffer from skin conditions, r issues with adhesion of the product to the body, you will want to include this in your routine to help better off the results of this as well, for you right now and down the road.

Physical Activity After Ostomies

2017-01-12T20:33:00.002-08:00

After you get an ostomy, you may wonder if you can still be physically active. While you can’t really do much right after, usually after about 6-8 weeks you can start getting cleared for this, but what about lifting and other exercises? Let’s find out.

Lifting weights after Ostomy

You can lift weights after your ostomy, but only after the doctor approves. You will need to start off pretty low in weight and be mindful. Your body will probably struggle at first, but it may be easier if you had Crohn’s disease because that can cause malnutrition. That malnutrition does cause fatigue, weight loss, and other things. Usually after an ostomy, you’ll have energy, a better diet, and much more energy.

You may not be able to lift as much as you did before, and you may find that energy will come slowly but surely after you heal, so you may have more strength than before. Also be mindful that you probably do need to wait for the abdominals to heal before lifting too heavy and then overworking them.

Running with an Ostomy

You usually can do this once the doctor okays it. But you will need to ease into this pretty slowly. One thing that some people worry about is the pouch loosening and leaking, and while that’s a worry, there are products that aid with this. You probably will need to walk for a few minutes, and then run for one minute, and do intervals for a little bit. An ostomy belt is recommended, since this can help prevent leaks when you start to get back into lifting and running while having an ostomy.

Yoga and ostomies

If you were doing yoga before surgery, you probably know by now that you feel different kinds of intensity after certain yoga positions. For instance, Hatha yoga is much better to begin with than Bikram yoga which involves being in a hot room where you’re constantly moving around. You should discuss this with your doctor before you sign up for your next exercise class. You should ensure that the incision sites are healed, and your abdominal muscles have recovered. Remember when you start with this, you probably aren’t going to be as good as you were before, but you can definitely start out easy. A lot of people prefer wearing wraps or other layers when doing this. Most ostomy-b barriers are resistant to weather, but you may want to secure the bag when doing this.

Swimming with an ostomy

You can totally go back to doing laps at the pool once you’ve been cleared by the doctor to get started. You want to try slow-paced types of swimming to start, since it does improve the strength. You may worry about leakage, or if someone will see it in the suit, but there are options. You can get different wraps, swimwear, and other types of clothing to hide this as well. You’ll probably want to cover the ostomy pouch anyways when swimming since you don’t’ want to let water in and bloat it.

Usually, ostomy pouches along with skin barriers tend to be water-resistant and will usually offer a good hold towards the skin. You also may want to consider barrier strips, a mini pouch with filter, or a closed-end pouches. And there you have it, there’s a lot of options for those with an ostomy, and you can still be active. Just wait until your doctor gives you the okay before jumping right in and doing this though, to help keep you nice and healthy too.