Getting the best gear for your stoma

When you find yourself with a stoma it gets hard to see what is going to work and what won't.  That is because Ostomy gear and supplies are a huge market.  I find that there are lots of companies out there and that they are all safe to use.  The safety side of what worries me the most is the possibility that I may not be able to actually get them.  This is something I would have never thought of until the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic happened.  It has fundamentally changed the United States Economy and with all the shutdowns and riots going on the ability for our supply chain to be as it was is gone.  It sounds crazy and a bit overdone, but in the United States, some cities and states had major issues with getting medical supplies.  It is very understated, but the online talk with friends across the country has given real updates on the lack of supplies in 2021. 

A lot of people know the economy is crashing and want to be safe.  So they are getting more gear. What is not shown on Tv is that many big box stores with pharmacies in them were burned down.  Also, most of the local pharmacies in the corner of the streets were burned as well.  This was all coupled with delivery trucks that would not go into those cities due to the chaos.  Put this all together and you end up with a city that has lost its supply chain.  These were not small cities but major metropolitan areas and the reality is that people who did not deserve any of this suffered.  So what happens if this occurs again?  Most people are hoarding gear now and that is just the truth of it.

We see it is an important thing to have because we saw those without gear and it was not great. Normally, I don't think that it is necessary to have prepping gear or lots of extra supplies because the United States is an incredible place to live and we are normally running very smoothly as an economy.  But with State Shutdowns that have all been different across the country the reality is that times have changed.  It is now not an impossibility to go with a regular supply of normal products. When it comes to your ostomy gear it is something you need to survive healthily.  Make sure you have the fresh and clean gear to use.  Don't get caught without it.  

It is no joke anymore to be prepared.  The Government will not help you.  What this means is that if you are able to, you should prepare for another lockdown or supply chain breakage in 2021.  Our country is trying to manufacture locally on the medical gear, but that will take years to move into a real viable option.  So when you are ordering your gear online, try and get some extra supplies.  Or if you are able to pay out of pocket to get a few extra months' supplies, do it.  It may take time because it is costly and supply is still a bit limited.  So work slowly but diligently and get that psychological barrier of fear eliminated from your life.  Just have enough and don't expect anyone else to help. 

What is Colostomy? – Colostomy Care

A colostomy is the surgery of a large intestine. In this operation, a stoma or an opening created on the outside of the abdomen. A part of the large intestine attached to the belly wall for excretion purposes. The hole could be permanent or temporary. Moreover, it collects the solid waste matter of the body in a container, attached to the artificial opening or stoma. The gas or feces exit the body of a patient without passing through the rectum. Well, the colostomy occurs in the large intestine. It is the merger of the colon and rectum. This part of the intestine connects to the small intestine. This section digests the food and absorbs nutrients, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The remaining undigested food goes into the large intestine. In this section, the colon absorbs water from the waste and the remaining waste stores until the next movement of it. Finally, after the next movement of the bowel, it goes into the rectum for excretion.

Why you Need Colostomy?

Well, colostomy surgery happens due to several reasons. There could be an injury or infection in the colon or a part of the large intestine. Moreover, when the colon cannot perform its function appropriately, then a patient needs colostomy. Moreover, you may need this surgery when:

• The large intestine or the colon section gets damaged or blocked.
• A small portion of the large intestine removed surgically due to any chronic disease or digestion problem.
• There is a rupture in the colon or it causes an abdominal infection.
• There is a colon or large intestine cancer.

When you Need Temporary Colostomy and Permanent Colostomy?

When a patient suffers from cancer, then he/she need a temporary colostomy surgery. After the healing of the rectum or colon, the doctors change the path of excretion from belly to the natural one. However, for other patients who have injury or infection in the colon or rectum section, they may require a permanent colostomy.

Types of Colostomy

The following are the types of colostomy:

• Sigmoid colostomy.
• Transverse colostomy.
• A loop colostomy.
•  A single-barrel colostomy.
• A double-barrel colostomy.
•  Descending colostomy.
•  Ascending colostomy.

Recovery Time

Well, the common question we usually received regarding colostomy surgery is how long will it take to recover from surgery? Well, the normal time of the recovery is one to two weeks. However, the period varies from case to case. It can take up to two months or four months. This all depends on the severity of the disease and infection.

However, during this, you may encounter the following risks:

•  Bleeding from the stoma.
•  Internal bleeding in the colon.
•  Itching on the peristomal skin.
•  Fluctuation in the size of the stoma.
• Redness and rashes on the skin around the stoma.
• Infection of internal organs or stoma.
• Damage to the nearby organs of the stoma and large intestine.

Colostomy Care

Colostomycare is an essential phenomenon after surgery. After recovery or discharge from the hospital, you are the one who has to take care of yourself and the stoma. The first and necessary step is emptying the stoma bag and cleaning all the appliances and peristomal.

The stoma pouch collects the stool and controls the gas; therefore, you have to empty and wash the bag two times or three times a day. Right after the surgery, the stoma releases liquid and frequent stool. So, in the initial days, you have to be careful and clean it four to five times a day. Otherwise, it may get leaked and you have to face trouble and embarrassment. Empty the colostomy pouch when it is half full.

Peristomal Care

The skin around the stoma is called peristomal. Apart from the care of stoma and stoma appliances, you have to take care of peristomal. It may get sensitive; therefore, use soft appliances and clean it regularly to get rid of itching, bleeding, and redness.

What is Ileostomy? – Ileostomy Care

An ileostomy is the incision of the small intestine or a part of the small intestine, called the ileum. As a result of ileostomy surgery, doctors create an opening on the outside of the belly wall, called a stoma. This has created for the collection of solid excretion of the body and gas. Moreover, the stoma or an artificial opening needs some appliances for the collection and care of the stoma. The ostomy bag or pouch controls the leakage, gas, odor, and collets the waste matter of the body.

The ileostomy stoma has created after the incision of the small intestine, which connects to the opening in the abdomen. The small intestine is a path between the stomach and the large intestine. It absorbs the nutrients, proteins, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates from the food. The small intestine takes minced food from the stomach and after the absorption of the mentioned nutrients into the blood vessels, the undigested or waste food sends to the large intestine. It is the combination of the colon and rectum. However, the remaining job of the absorption of water and excretion of waste has done by colon, rectum, or large intestine.

Why you Need an Ileostomy Surgery?

Ileostomy surgery needs several circumstances and reasons to be performed. Surgeons perform the ileostomy to remove a small part of the ileum (a part of the small intestine) or bypass it to the outside of the abdomen (stoma). However, a person may need the ileostomy surgery when:

•  Ileum or a part of the large intestine gets blocked or damaged.
• A part of the ileum or small intestine removed due to any severe infection or disease.
• There is an abdominal infection, injury, or rupture in any part of the intestine whether it is ileum, colon, or rectum.
• Patients have cancer, such as colorectal cancer.
• Ileum cannot perform the function appropriately.
•  A person has Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or Familia adenomatous polyposis.
• A woman has ovarian cancer.

When do you Need Temporary Colostomy and Permanent Ileostomy?

When a patient has cancer-related diseases, then he/she needs the ileostomy surgery temporarily. After the recovery or healing of the ileum, colon, rectum, the patient goes back to the natural process and path of the excretion. However, in the severe injuries or permanent dis functioning of the small or large intestine, a patient needs a permanent ileostomy surgery.

Types of the Ileostomy Surgery

The following are the types of ileostomy:

• Standard ileostomy.
• Continent ileostomy.
• Ileo-anal reservoir.

Recovery from the Ileostomy

The recovery or healing needs some time. Doctors do not discharge you right after the surgery. You will be in hospital for one or two weeks. However, after the healing of the cuts and stitches, they will send you back to the home. But, the stoma will take some time for healing and recovery. Moreover, you will take some months to get used to a new life. A patient can take three to four months for a full recovery. But, it has involved some pains and risks. These are:

•  Internal bleeding.
• Bleeding from the stoma.
• Damage nearby the small intestine or large intestine.
•  Stomal infection.
• Rupture of the internal tissues.

Ileostomy Care

Just like the colostomy, you have to take care of the stoma and its appliances. The first thing, you have to clean and care about is the ostomy bag or pouch. When it gets half full or you feel leakage, empty it, and wash it. Moreover, if you are using a disposable stoma container, then dispose it off and wear the new one.

Stoma and Peristomal Care

Apart from the appliances and internal organs, a patient has to take care of the skin around the skin. Due to the bleeding or leakage of the waste, the skin starts redness and itching. Therefore, clean the peristomal skin and stoma to get rid of such issues.