Ostomy care accessories:

Ostomy care needs, minimally, a skin barrier and a pouch.TO ensure a safe, protected, and predictable seal, some patients use additional accessories. Some common additional supplies are pastes, clips or belts, etc. While selecting additional accessories you must consider the Ostomy care:

• Protection of stoma from any trauma

• Stool doesn’t come in contact with stoma

• Skin and stoma remain safe from the used products

• Preserving the patient’s dignity

• Simple to use

• Not too expensive

You should always remember these principles when you consider the benefits of any additional accessory for your Ostomy care.

Individuals+ facing ostomies have a more sense of creativity and innovation, because they are intended to find a product that will help them to manage their Ostomy in a good manner.

In this article, we have discussed some of the common most reviewed products.

Ostowash System

Ostowash is a system that helps you to sanitize and clean your Ostomy bag. It consists of a washbasin (stainless steel) that is attached to a wall beside the toilet, at the level of the toilet tank. When you have to drain your pouch, it is placed over the toilet and when not in use, you can place it out of the way in a standing position.

The system requires installation, which includes connecting a T-line to the waterline of your toilet and installing it on a nearby wall surface. Attaching a faceplate that matches your flange size allows you to customize the basin for usage. According to the website, the device costs the same as a refrigerator. The makers advocate using their cleaning solution, Ecolab.

In some aspects, ostowash can’t be a feasible and appropriate option. It is a huge and prominent system with a great expense. It can be easily noticed in a bathroom, reducing privacy and thus requiring closure to anybody using this facility.

It lacks immobility, that’s why you would need two techniques to drain your pouch.

The ostowash at home and the usual technique of draining via the tail while you are not at home i.e. traveling, shopping, and dining out. It can accidentally limit your activities if you are outside the home, as you may not feel at ease with this traditional procedure.

It is not confirmed if this procedure will work for all pouching systems or not. It is mostly used by people who use a two-piece pouching system. However, there is no evidence of the effect of the cleanser on the adhesion and coupling mechanism. It also doesn’t affect the odor-resistant ability of the pouch.

The cost-effectiveness would be determined by a variety of criteria, including the cost of the system and cleansers vs. the possible cost savings achieved by lower pouch consumption. If you have a temporary stoma, the installation of this system may not help you. The size of your bathroom may be a constraint since there must be sufficient clearance between the toilet and the vanity. as well as any surrounding walls/counters to accommodate the Ostowash There is no information available on warranty or maintenance services.

Stay-Dry pro pump

This latex sleeve can fit over your abdomen, and it works on the same principle that is used to avoid the water touching bandages or casts on the arms and legs during activities like swimming and bathing. The patient simply put this leave on the pouch and an air pump is used to extract the air. This way we can get a waterproof seal. This sleeve usually ranges from 110 inches (25 cm and it is available in several sizes. You are required to pull it over your pouch and abdomen to release the vacuum so that you can remove it easily.

Because the sleeve is suctioned, it does not allow the pouch expansion during the stoma function. It is the best option for people who have a frequent stomal function. They can use it for a short period such as while bathing or swimming and enjoy their leisure time without any discomfort. It has been unknown if the Stay-Dry pro pump can be seen through swimming suits. Patterned suits are more preferred to conceal the pockets than solid color suits.

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You don’t need this device in your daily routine of bathing and swimming. An uncovered pouching system can tolerate the wetness associated with these activities. You can dry the pouch quickly by using an air dryer. In case if you like physical activities such as water skiing and long soaks in tubs, then this gadget can be the best option for you and it comes with a better sense of security.

People with latex allergies are not welcomed to use this product.

It is hard for some individuals to pass gas out of a pouching system. Integrated circuits are used for this purpose but they have following disadvantages:

• Delayed time in gas release

• Pouch billow

• Filter clogging due to stool (liquid stool)

Osto-EZ-Vent is a good replacement for the people who don’t like to open the pouch to let the gas out i.e. burping or tail opening.

It is attached with the pouch just like the nipple on the beach ball. A tape is used to attach it with a pouch. So that gas is not accumulated in the pouch instead it vents out without any delay. There is no deodorizing filter in the pouch; it is just used as a gas releasing valve in the pouch. It is also an alternative for individuals who can’t use integrated filters due to leakage concerns (ileostomies). We can’t say anything about the working of the vent under extreme pressure such as during overfilled pouches.

 The comfy drive is used to protect stoma from seatbelt rubbing and any trauma. It is a cushioned over that is attached and fitted with the seatbelts. You can use it on both your waist and shoulders. Most of the time the piles of the clothes are not enough to protect stoma, if you are worried about this then Comfy Drive is the best option to consider

You can interchange it with different cars. The retail price is almost $ 25.

How to manage Ostomy during pregnancy?

There is nothing to worry about the stoma and your pregnancy. You need not worry about your pregnancy and delivery even though you are having a stoma. Several women experience no complications and risks before and after the delivery, it’s normal and safe. But here are several things you must take care of during your pregnancy and after the birth also.

Changes that occur during the gestation period:

The most prominent changes occur in the stoma. It can change in its:

• Height

• Degree of protrusion

• Diameter

These changes also affect peristomal skin (creases, curves, and dips)

With the passing days as the fetus starts growing and you gain weight; there is a decrease in stomal projection and there may be an increase in its diameter. There are also chances that the skin around the stoma may flatten out. During your gestation period, the stoma may change its color and it may become less visible. But don’t worry its functions will remain the same. You just need to change your stoma appliances to cope up with the increase in stomal height and diameter. The most common example is changing your flange. If you have been using a flat flange, now you need to replace it with a curved flange. In the first trimester, there are not many changes in the stomal orientation. However, during the end of the second trimester and start of the third trimester when you start to gain more weight, changing your products is necessary. If you will not switch to the other products it may develop the risk for skin irritation and stomal laceration.

Post-partum changes:

It is recommended not to shop too many products at a time because the changes in body and stoma are very sudden and dramatic during the last trimesters. So you may need to switch to the different sizes with every coming day. Most of the famous brands offer samples that can be used as a free trial. You can also contact your ET nurse. She can help you to choose the products for you throughout your gestation period. She can also help you with using these products.

They're also the number of changes in your peristomal skin after the delivery. Some common changes are:

• Less taut skin

• More wrinkles around the stoma

• The stoma may begin to protrude again.

After delivering the baby you will lose weight and it will bring changes in your body one after another. That’s why you need to make changes in your pouching system accordingly. Depending on the alteration and variations in your body weight after the delivery, it is hard to decide whether you can use those appliances which you were using before pregnancy. 

Pregnancy and Ileostomy:

Usually, nausea and vomiting that are related to morning sickness can cause problems if you have an ileostomy. Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration due to fluids and electrolyte imbalances. Nausea may affect your appetite, and it can be bad for you and your baby. In this case, you must have regular checkups by the physician so that she can introduce intravenous nutrients into your body. This shows how dehydration and other weaknesses can be avoided.

Pregnancy and colostomy

In case if you have a colostomy this can cause constipation with the advancing trimesters. If constipation prolongs then you can consult with your ET. She will prescribe you any medicine or any remedy that will be safe for you and your baby as well. If you are having a colostomy and you are used to performing irrigation, it can be a concern for the later stages of pregnancy. With the advancing days, you may not be able to install an adequate amount of water that is needed for irrigation. This will lead to discontinuous leakages. You will also observe that you are not able to insert the cones properly and ultimately water can’t reach inside your body. You may need to stop irrigation in the last trimesters and use any alternative. But you can start irrigation after some period of delivery.

It has been observed that some women feel difficulty in the irrigation of the pouch during the second and third trimesters. It’s hard for women to place a catheter inside the stoma. This problem can be solved by following the steps mentioned below:

• Use more lubricant

• Lying supine during the insertion of catheters

• Use a relatively smaller catheter

 

Problems related to Ostomy care

If you decide to use a small catheter then you must avoid high fiber foods. This will ensure that the pouch is irrigated and drained properly. You can seek help from a dietitian for this matter.

There is also the possibility that you may not see the stoma because of your weight and large stomach. You may need a perched mirror to perform your Ostomy care. You can also use a longer ouch that will help you to drain the pouch easily in the toilet. Most of the women prefer to drain the pouch in containers placed on the bathroom counter. It prevents them from the extra struggle to visualize their stoma.

Risks 

There are chances of some complications following the delivery. You may develop:

Parastomal hernia (hernia around the stoma)

•  Abnormal lengthening of the stoma (prolapsed stomas)

Your ET can support you to manage the complications after your delivery. If you will stay connected with your health care team it will be good for the health of your baby and it will allow you to enjoy your precious moments.