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.