What if you get wind?
What is wind? Wind, flatulence or farting is the release of intestinal gas through your stoma. What can cause wind? Swallowing air whilst eating or talking. Fermentation of food by bacteria, a natural process of digestion. Some food and drinks. Some laxatives. Long periods without food. Smoking. Hints and tips…
Read more >What if you get sore skin?
What is sore skin? The skin around your stoma called the peristomal skin can become red but intact, sore but dry or broken and wet. What causes red or sore skin? Waste from your stoma getting directly on to your skin. Changing your stoma pouch too frequently causing trauma to…
Read more >What if you get bleeding on or around your stoma?
When your stoma was formed, a piece of bowel was brought out onto the surface of your tummy through your abdominal wall. This piece of bowel was then folded back upon itself to form your stoma, rather like when you turn over the cuff of your jumper, so the inner…
Read more >What if you get bowl leakage or incontinence?
What is bowel leakage or incontinence? Bowel leakage or incontinence is caused by the loss of regular control of the bowels causing involuntary leakage to occur. What can cause bowel leakage or incontinence? Surgery which involves removing a part of the bowel. Surgery can affect the normal working pattern of…
Read more >What if you get colostomy diarrhoea?
What is colostomy diarrhoea? Colostomy diarrhoea is the frequent passage of watery waste from your colostomy. Sometimes but not always accompanied by tummy ache or cramps. What can cause colostomy diarrhoea? Food Poisoning. A tummy bug. Some medications. Radiotherapy to the bowel. Chemotherapy. Emotional upsets, stress, anxiety, shock. Diet. Hints…
Read more >What if you get constipation?
What is constipation? Constipation causes your colostomy to work less frequently than usual, and your stoma output becomes drier and harder. What can cause colostomy constipation? Medication, particularly pain relief containing morphine or codeine, antidepressants, iron supplements, calcium supplements, indigestion remedies and water tablets are amongst the most common culprits….
Read more >What if you want to manage your colostomy differently?
Colostomy Irrigation Colostomy irrigation is a method of emptying the colon (bowel) by inserting warm water into your colostomy to flush out the stool. You will need irrigation equipment, clean warm water and access to a lavatory for up to one hour. Colostomy irrigation should be carried out at a…
Read more >What if you get rectal discharge?
What is a rectal discharge? If you have had an operation resulting in the formation of a stoma, but have not had your rectum removed you may get a discharge from your back passage which is normal. The rectum produces a natural lubricating substance called mucus which is discharged through…
Read more >What if you get odour?
Stools have an odour that can vary depending on what we eat or drink. This does not change when you have a stoma. Your stoma pouch is made from special laminated and odour proof plastic. When it is in place and properly applied, there should not be an odour. What…
Read more >What if you get pancaking?
What is pancaking? Pancaking is the term used to describe what happens when the output from your colostomy does not fall to the bottom of the pouch, but instead remains at the top and around your stoma. What can cause pancaking? Insufficient air in the stoma pouch causing the sides…
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