Undergoing life-changing events can take some time before the person involved can accept the reality of their life. It is not surprising since no one is perfect, and everyone is vulnerable in their own ways.
Constantly performing ostomy bag care is not that easy. Doing it the first time, even with proper guidance from a doctor, can still be nerve-wracking. Even though it seems natural because they have not done it before having a stoma around their stomach, a careless mistake can lead to complications like necrosis, parastomal hernia, and retraction.
That is why it is not simple to live with a stoma. Even though you can live a normal life like everyone else, you must take extra measures when performing ostomy bag care. Tracking when you need to replace your ostomy bag and other supplies attached to your stomach is what you will be doing every day.
If you are not familiar with what a stoma is, it refers to the end of the intestine that is sewed into an ostomy. An ostomy, however, is the actual opening of the abdomen.
You need to know everything about your condition to be able to do all of that as naturally as possible. Keep reading the following to get you started.
What Is An Ostomy Bag?
An ostomy bag is a type of durable medical equipment (DME) used after going through an ostomy surgery. Its purpose is to collect any waste from your digestive or urinary system, which is why it is attached to the stomach.
A doctor attaches an ostomy bag for postoperative care to your stoma so you can easily pee or poop. You can wear an ostomy bag until it is about to get full from urine or stool. Afterwards, you have to replace some or if not all of the ostomy supplies fastened to your stomach.
Here are the common reasons why most people undergo ostomy surgery and require ostomy bag care.
- Birth Defects
- Cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Incontinence
What Are The Different Types Of Ostomies?
Three main types of procedures necessitate the use of ostomy bags and require ostomy bag care. Knowing the difference allows you to determine which ostomy supplies you will need for postoperative care.
● Colonoscopy
A colostomy is an ostomy procedure used to bypass the rectum. If you undergo this surgery, your doctor will construct a stoma with a portion from your colon.
If you are not familiar with the word colon, it refers to your big intestine. The surgeon will remove the lower half of your colon, leaving you with a permanent stoma in some cases.
But not at all times since colostomy can also be for temporary measures if your colon only needs some time to heal and recover.
● Ileostomy
The surgeons will use your small intestine to produce a stoma. It helps to allow waste to bypass your colon and rectum.
Usually, this ostomy surgery is for those people who will have temporary stomas. However, it can also be done for permanent reasons, depending on your conditions.
You may need an ileostomy if you are suffering and experiencing the following disease:
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Bowel Cancer
● Urostomy
Using your small intestine, your doctor will create a pouch. Then the surgeon will use ureters to connect this to an ostomy bag and teach you the proper care. Hence, you will be able to urine and drain outside of your body instead of going through your bladder.
Most people may require a urostomy procedure when their bladder gets infected or damaged.
Your doctor will most likely utilise one of these two ways to create your stoma, regardless of the type of stoma you have:
End Ostomy
Your intestine is sliced and drawn through the ostomy, then stitched to the opening.
Loop Ostomy
An intestinal loop is drawn into the hole. The surgeon will then cut the loop and ensure that both ends are secured to the ostomy. The mucus stoma is one, while the faeces stoma is the other.
How to Choose Ostomy Supplies?
Because everyone is different, the type of ostomy supplies they need also differ. What may work for others may not work well for you.
Instead of buying any ostomy bag care supply online, you need to know whether or not it fits your stoma and lifestyle. You should know that choosing the right ostomy supplies allows you to remain comfortable as if you do not have a stoma in the first place.
Below are the options that you need to know.
Ostomy Pouches
● One-Piece or Two-Piece Pouches
Between the two, a one-piece ostomy bag features a merged bag and skin barrier, necessitating the replacement once it is full. Once removed, you can no longer use it since it is disposable.
Meanwhile, the latter one is removable from the skin barrier. You can replace, empty, and clean independently without you having to remove the skin barrier.
If you are looking for a cost-effective, a two-piece pouch might work for you.
● Drainable or Closed
Closed-end ostomy bags are disposable pouches with sealed ends. You can discard them after using them. Drainable ostomy bags have a closure mechanism built-in or attached that allows them to be emptied, cleaned, and reused.
Pro Tip: Most closed ostomy bags are mostly available with one-piece ostomy systems. You can get both drainable and closed types for two-piece systems.
Conclusion
Living with a stoma does not have to be as hard as you think. You can make your life easier by choosing the right ostomy supplies. Similar to other types of wounds, proper wound care starts with the tools you use.
If you think you are ready to purchase ostomy supplies, go to Coloplast in Singapore. Besides stoma bag care, they also sell other wound care products to help you heal and recover in no time.
Contact Coloplast at +65 6235 5933 or leave a message on their website if you are interested in their wound care products.
