Ostomy

Overview   
Symptoms   
Treatment   
Products   
Resources

Ostomy is an artificial opening in the body through which waste is expelled into a special appliance that is attached to the body. Almost 2 million Americans have had an ostomy surgery because they have lost the ability to eliminate waste through normal channels.

Colo-rectal cancer is the most common cause for colostomies, which account for up to 70 percent of all abdominal ostomies. Ostomates represent 10 to 20% of all home health care patients. The primary medical resource for ostomates are enterostomal therapists (ET’s), specialists in the management of ostomies, skin care, wound management and incontinence.

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Types of Ostomies

1. Colostomy is the most common type due to colon or rectum cancer. Part of the colon is removed or disconnected and all or part of the rectum may be removed.
2. Ileostomy is performed because of severe ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel disease. The entire color is removed or disconnected and the end of the small intestine is used to construct a stoma, which is the new opening in the abdomen.
3. Urostomy is when the bladder must be bypassed or removed and urine is redirected to the outside of the body.

If the ostomy occurs near the end of the digestive tract as in most colostomies, then the person has only lost a storage area and the sphincter muscle to release feces. If the ostomy is farther up the digestive tract, the person also loses the ability to absorb water and mineral salts.

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Ostomy Products (Appliances)

• Pouches or Bags are available in either drainable or closed-end styles, transparent or nontransparent material and in a variety of sizes.
• Wafers offer a secure method of attaching these pouches to the body. A wafer contains one-sided durable adhesive that is important for proper assembly.

Related Ostomy Products

• Pads and Belts are adjustable sized products that help anchor the wafer to the body.
• Adhesive Products include discs, cements, pastes and powders that either provide a seal around the stomal area or easily remove adhesive from the skin.
• Skin Barriers are sprays, creams and ointments that offer a protective barrier between the wafer and sensitive skin.
• Skin Preps are cleansers that prepare the skin prior to applying adhesives.
• Irrigation Products include bags, belts, drain sleeves and lubricants.
• Accessories include tapes, gauze pads, deodorants and lubricants.
• Skin Care is a concern for people with incontinence because they are prone to skin breakdown, especially when continuous washing with regular alkaline soap dries out the skin. Skin care products protect, soothe and replenish the skin.
  • Cleansers cleanse and remove urine and fecal material. They are available in no-rinse and deodorizing formulas.
  • Barriers and Skin Protectants protect incontinent skin form further exposure and irritation by creating moisture and antimicrobial, antifungal barriers on affected areas.
  • Moisturizers and Creams replenish moisture to skin that is dried out or irritated by incontinence.
  • Deodorizers eliminate odor as well as deodorize.
  • Rinseless Shampoos, foot cleansers and shaving gels are also available.

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Ostomy Resources

United Ostomy Association (UOA)
800 826-0826
www.uoa.org

International Ostomy Association
www.ostomyinternational.org


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