Ostomy surgery is used to treat a wide range of medical issues. Ostomy is a life-saving procedure that helps people live healthy lives despite a variety of conditions or injuries. It is sometimes indicated for inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, infection, birth defects, incontinence, and a host of other medical issues. Ostomy includes varied stoma supplies for the convenience of its user.
Ostomy procedures allow bodily waste such as faeces and urine to exit the body through alternate, surgically-created openings called stomas when the urinary or digestive systems are not moving things along as they should.
Stomas can be found on either the left or right side of the abdomen and connect internally to the small or large intestines or the kidney ureters, depending on which body system is involved. Stomas connect to prosthetic receptacles called pouches, or bags, which collect waste outside the body, bypassing the digestive and urinary systems. Stoma bag care must be of the highest quality to ensure safety and maximum usage.
Ostomy supplies: How to choose the best ones for your needs
When people who have ostomies start using ostomy supplies for the first time, they need to learn how to do it right the first time.
Ostomy pouches, skin barriers, flanges, and other wound care products, which are also called prosthetics or appliances, are the things you’ll be changing and maintaining on your own. It’s important to know how they work. Ostomy supplies are usually given to you by the hospital after you have surgery. It’s important to know that you don’t have to keep using the same brands or styles if you don’t like them.
For the best wound care, you don’t want to use a system that leaks, is uncomfortable, causes skin irritation, or emits odours. As long as you talk to your doctor or WOC nurse, they’ll help you figure out what’s best for you. But, just to help, we’ve put together all of our research on ostomies to help you find everything you need to meet your daily needs.
Ostomy Bags/Pouches
By attaching to the outside of the stoma, ostomy bags can collect stool or urine. They sit against the skin and are very easy to put on.
Like most stoma supplies, these pouches come in a wide range of sizes and designs to fit different people and different types of activities. Smaller pouches are better for things like having sex or swimming. Larger pouches are better for everyday use or night use, so the bag doesn’t need to be changed or emptied, which can interrupt sleep.
The Right Skin Barriers
It can be hard to find the right skin barriers for your needs because they come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and configurations. This is because there are so many different bodies and stoma shapes and sizes.
To understand the purpose of barriers for wound care, skin barriers are separate units in two-piece systems and come with the pouch in one-piece systems. They attach to the stoma and the area around it. They can be soft and flexible or rigid, depending on what the user needs. They can also be flat or convex. Others can be cut to fit. Some skin barriers have pre-cut openings, while others can be cut to fit.
While many two-piece systems come with their skin barrier, these barriers can also be bought separately so that they can be used in different ways. Some already have adhesive on them, but others may need extra adhesive to stay in place for better wound care.
Ostomy Deodorants
Among the most common issues that new ostomates worry about is how to keep their ostomy system smelling clean. Whether the smell comes from urine or stool, nobody wants to smell bad. With the latest technology, ostomy odours are a thing of the past. Ostomy deodorising products come in drops, tablets, liquids, and sprays. They work well at getting rid of odours from your ostomy appliances. Which is definitely the most sought after item for stoma bag care.
Is there a time when there should be no odours? When you’re emptying the bag. If you notice odours at any other time, this means there is a problem with your ostomy bag or system. These deodorants can also be used to keep stool from sticking to the top of the pouch.
Other Stoma Supplies
While many people with ostomies don’t require anything more than a pouching system and a skin barrier to meet their elimination needs, a significant number of people will require some additional accessories to reduce the risk of serious infection, contamination, and skin irritation that can occur when ostomy management and hygiene are neglected.
Wipes, Powders, and Pastes
For the wafer of the ostomy appliance to fit snugly around the stoma, special pastes help fill in the folds, crevices, and other irregularities around it.
It helps to protect the skin around the ostomy, which helps to ease skin irritation and provides effective wound care. Liquids, powder, and wipes also help to improve the adhesion of the wafer.
Adhesives, Tapes, and Adhesive Removers
There are different types of adhesives and tapes that can be used to keep the wafers and pouches in place when ostomy systems don’t come with their skin barrier. Some can also be used to keep the ostomy appliances dry and clean.
Compared to other wound care products, ostomy adhesive removers are very good at getting rid of any adhesive from the appliances or the skin.
Covers and Belts
For convenient stoma bag care, ostomy pouch covers are sometimes built into the pouch itself, but they can also be bought separately for extra skin protection and comfort. They can also help reduce the size of the pouch when having sex.
To keep the belt in place, wrap it around the abdomen. Belts can also be used as a replacement for adhesives, which can be hard to remove.
Coloplast manufactures barrier cream and other wound care products aimed to make the life of patients easier and more comfortable. They also provide a personal support service program with Coloplast Care that aims to aid patients in adjusting to their new life.
