What if you get an ileostomy blockage or obstruction?
What is an ileostomy blockage or obstruction? This is a blocked or obstructed portion of your bowel which prevents your stoma functioning normally. What causes a blockage or obstruction? A lump of undigested food can block an ileostomy. This type of blockage is normally relieved by the sudden and often explosive passage…
Read more >What if you get dehydrated?
What is dehydration? Dehydration occurs when you pass more fluids out of your body than you take in. What can cause dehydration? An acute bout of diarrhoea caused by a tummy bug or food poisoning. Drinking too much alcohol. Hot and humid conditions which cause us to perspire more freely….
Read more >What if you get ballooning?
What is ballooning? Ballooning happens when the wind from your stoma collects inside your pouch causing it to inflate or balloon. What can cause ballooning? A blocked pouch filter. A wet pouch filter. Dietary issues. Hints and tips Ballooning is uncomfortable. It causes your pouch to bulge underneath your clothing,…
Read more >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 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 a parastomal hernia?
What is a parastomal hernia? A parastomal hernia is a bulge or swelling around or underneath your stoma. The hernia usually develops slowly and may increase in size over time. What can cause a parastomal hernia? When a stoma is created, the end of the bowel is brought out onto…
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