Discover the best care for an ostomy

The ostomy care is not very complicated but it is important to make sure that we do it correctly. The good care of your ostomy will contribute to the improvement of your health and well-being. How do you get it? At Ostocare we explain everything in detail so that you don't have any doubts.

Maintain proper hygiene

Cleaning the skin around the stoma well is very important to avoid irritation or infection and to ensure the care of an ostomy. This should be done each time the pouch is changed to make sure the area is clean at all times.

1. The first step is to carefully remove the bag by pulling the adhesive from top to bottom and holding the surrounding skin with the other hand.
2. With a natural sponge, lukewarm water and neutral soap carefully cleans from the centre outwards. If the area bleeds a little don't worry, wash it.
3. Finally, gently dry the skin with a cotton towel, taking special care not to damage the stoma.

When to change the ostomy pouch

Each collection pouch system or ostomy pouch has a spare time. Some have to be changed daily, others every three days and others only once a week. In any case, after the operation a Stoma Therapy nurse should explain to you what procedure to follow and advise you on how to maintain the care of your ostomy.

As for the most appropriate time of day to do so, it is recommended that it be at the same time that you used to go to the bathroom before the operation. However, also pay attention to when there is less intestinal activity for the sake of your comfort.

How to empty the collection pouch system

1. Sit in the toilet or a chair in front of him, always leaving room for stool.
2. Place the top down and open the bag.
3. Slowly and carefully empty the contents of the bag and then wipe the end of the bag.

Keep an eye on the food

When altering the digestive process, it is convenient that you look at the type of food you will wear to maintain the care of the ostomy. In general they do not usually set very restrictive guidelines because maintaining a balanced diet is enough. In any case, we recommend that you consult your doctor as each person is a world.

After the operation always it is recommended to introduce the food little by little and in small amounts for the stomach to get used to them. In addition the first 6-8 weeks you should follow A low-fiber diet and reintegrating it little by little from about the sixth week onwards.

It is important to maintain your weight control and a correct electrolyte status, so you should also take a good look at the liquids you consume. If a doctor does not say otherwise, the recommended amount of water you should drink is 1.5 litres.

Eat slowly and chew your food well to aid digestion. Do not skip meals or fast as this encourages the appearance of liquid stools or gases.

Here is a table showing how the different foods you might digest can affect you to ensure ostomy care.

Foods that contribute to the formation of gases	Carbonated beverages, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, legumes, eggs, prunes, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber.
Foods that produce odors	Asparagus, cabbage, garlic, onion, fish, strong cheeses, pork.
Foods that help control odor	Yogurt, fresh cheese, mint, critics, spinach.
Foods to wait for feces	Pasta, white bread, banana, cheese, white rice, cooked apple, cooked carrot.
We advise you these foods	Fruits, vegetables (mostly raw and green leafy), raw fruit, legumes, pasta, rice, and dairy products.
You should avoid	Fatty foods, alcohol and soft drinks, pork.

 

Accessories you may need

To complement the care of your ostomy and ensure that you maintain proper hygiene of the collection pouch system, we recommend that you also pay attention to what kind of appurtenances you may need.

• Beltto improve the stability of the pouch in very active patients and hold it during high-impact situations.
• Stuffed: are used to fill in those skin imperfections that hinder the adhesion of the pouch and thus prevent leaks.
• Adhesive residue removers: are used to clean the adhesive build-up area well and help sensitive skins to remove the barrier.
• Sealants: care for the most sensitive and irritating skin. It can also be used to waterproof the skin barrier.
• Post-operative Wraps: will help you hold the pouch and abdominal area after surgery.
• Covers for ostomy pouch: will serve as a double protective layer between the skin and the collection pouch system.

Complications during ostomy care

You should not fear anything if complications arise during ostomy care.. It's a long and complicated process and it's normal for us to run into a stone along the way. However, as soon as you feel that something is wrong with your ostomy pouch, make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the subject.

Bad smells

There are several reasons why we can notice bad smells. These may have to do with certain foods, diseases or vitamins that we are ingesting.

Gases

Gas after surgery is very common, but annoying. As a recommendation we suggest that you cross your arms over the ostomy to better control the exit of gases and reduce the noise they can produce.

Leaks

If you have not adjusted the pouch to your ostomy properly, leakage is likely to occur. Make sure it's the right size or that it's properly attached to your skin. Also make sure that the collection bag model you have chosen is the right one for your body shape.

Do you have more doubts? Do you want to know which pouch models are the most suitable for you? We know that taking care of your ostomy is very important to you and that's why we will be happy to advise you with any query you want to make.