This post on Stoma is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about this important topic. Whether you’re a caregiver, or someone living with a stoma, and seeking information, we provide you with all the essential information you want to know.

Stomas shouldn’t be seen as embarrassing. In fact, they can often be lifesaving solutions for people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other chronic digestive conditions.

Living with a stoma can present unique challenges, but with the right guidance and support, you can regain confidence and lead a fulfilling life. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about stomas, from the basics to practical tips and emotional support.

What is a Stoma?

A stoma is an opening through the abdominal wall that connects the bowel to the surface of your stomach (abdominal wall). Usually round or oval-shaped and pink in colour, its surface appears moist but does not hurt when touched or disturbed by someone.

Stomas may be temporary or permanent in nature and formed as part of cancer treatments such as surgery for bowel, bladder or anal cancer or due to injury.

Finding your way around living with a stoma may take some getting used to, but with help from specialist healthcare providers and some practice, it can be managed without too much of an impact on daily life.

There are also support services such as Colostomy UK and Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group available that may assist with this transition process.

Reasons for Stoma Creation

A stoma can be created for various reasons, including managing chronic bladder and bowel conditions. Your doctor may create a stoma from the large bowel (colostomy) during surgery to give an area of the bowel time to heal. In other cases, a surgeon might need to remove part of the colon, and can’t join the remaining ends of the colon together, hence the need for a stoma.

Stomas may be life-changing – and even lifesaving for people living with chronic bladder and bowel conditions. Unfortunately, public understanding of stomas was previously limited until recent surveys like Potter Rees Dolan showed attitudes are improving while stigmas began fading away.

Stoma products must always be on hand – whether bought locally from pharmacies or online – should the skin around it become compromised. This means making sure you always have adequate stoma product supplies, such as stoma bags, barrier film sprays and wipes, and medical adhesive removers for replacements.

Your stoma nurse will give you some stoma supplies when you leave the hospital after your surgery, but if more are required they can usually be ordered through your GP or supplier and often come at no charge to those in need.

It’s a great idea to carry an extra pack away from home for easy changes, and should always be stored in a cool, dry place.

Different Types of Stoma

There are different types of stomas, depending on your medical condition or injury. People requiring stoma surgery may need either an ileostomy, urostomy, or colostomy stoma. Each of these types has an opening on the abdomen through which waste or urine can pass into a bag attached to their respective stomas for disposal.

Colostomy Stoma

Colostomy Stomas are generally placed over the sigmoid colon creating an opening from the large intestinal tract to your outside. It is done so solids and gasses can exit your body via the stoma, instead of the rectum (bum). A pouch is worn around the outer body to collect the waste, which you must empty regularly to stay healthy.

The Sigmoid Colon is the S-shaped portion of the large intestinal tract that leads to the rectum. It is responsible for moving faecal materials from the ascending colon to the rectum.

Motions called Peristaltic movements move the bowel contents downwards toward the descending and sigmoid colon. Here, the faeces would normally gather in the rectal area before elimination. But with a stoma in place, the waste is diverted to your outer body.

Ileostomy Stoma

Ileostomy Stoma joins the last portion of the small intestine – the ileum – to the abdominal walls. This allows waste to be passed from the small intestine into the stoma. They are then collected in a plastic pouch (stoma bag) and removed outside the body.

Sometimes, an ileostomy will only be required for a brief time. For example, for 3-6 months. That’s usually because the colon part needs some time to rest and recover after a disease.

However, a more severe disease like cancer can require an ileostomy to be permanent.

Urostomy Stoma

When certain conditions and diseases cause severe bladder issues and diseases such as rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), and urinary tract infections., urostomy surgery may be necessary.

An urostomy allows you to pass urine through the body without going through your bladder. A stoma is created during the surgery.

Urine is diverted from the urinary tract (kidneys and ureters) through the stoma into the stoma bag, which you wear on the outside of your body.

Stoma Care Basics

Once your stoma has been created, nurses or stoma therapists will teach you how to change its bag yourself and use and maintain its supplies.

Depending on your stoma type, your bag may require changing more regularly. While it may feel odd at first, eventually it will become part of your daily routine.

You’ll also need to maintain regular contact with your stoma nurse and report any leakages or sore skin immediately if any arise. Carrying spare bags may also come in handy should there be an unexpected need or while travelling.

Your community nurses play an essential part in your stoma care. They can refer patients for stoma support as well as offer devices and prescriptions tailored specifically to each person’s specific needs.

Stoma: Choosing the Right Ostomy Products

Stomas can offer life-altering relief from chronic bladder and bowel health conditions. However, their care can sometimes be complex and complicated, leading to additional frustration and anxiety for people living with them.

If you need stoma surgery, you will receive detailed information about the procedure and the ideal place for your stoma during your preoperative appointment.

You’ll need to meet with your stoma specialist nurse in the hospital to discuss any concerns or questions that may arise.

Stoma leakage has become a common problem. When stomal fluid leaks past the baseplate, and contaminates clothing or creates discomfort, this can harm a person’s quality of life.

Leakage is often caused by improper use of stoma products. All necessary barrier covers and flanges, as well as stoma bags of the correct size, must be used to ensure optimal usage.

Pre-cut barriers may be easier for most stoma sizes to apply quickly. And if yours is a  non-circular stoma, you should consider mouldable or cut-to-fit barriers that fit better.

Stoma: Dealing with Potential Challenges

Being diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction and having to adapt to having a stoma, even temporarily, is an extreme change for your body and requires time and patience for adjustment.

Problems associated with your stoma such as leakage and peristomal skin (the skin directly around the stoma) complications, as well as any physical or social restrictions, can be managed through proper stoma care, diet changes and support from community nurses who specialise in Stoma care.

Stomas can cause lots of difficulties for some people. These may include food blockage, skin damage and increased faecal output.

Food blockage typically results from improper chewing – often when eating fibrous foods like sweetcorn or mushrooms. If experiencing pain, it’s wise to see a doctor immediately for advice and help.

1. Pain and discomfort

Some people living with stomas experience pain and discomfort. This may be caused by issues with their devices. To address these concerns, speaking with either your stoma care nurse or GP may help.

Other issues can include leakage, odour and discomfort when touching the stoma or changing its appliance. These could all be the result of improper fitting appliances; therefore you must find one which does.

If your stoma is causing problems with its surroundings, try using a barrier cream to protect the surrounding skin. Also, consider switching to a two-piece system which reduces how often base plates need changing.

And if your faecal output increases significantly, speak to your stoma care nurse as this could indicate infection.

With stomas, one may experience increased stool output; if this becomes excessive and causes you to lose fluids, speak to your health care team immediately. They may suggest increasing fluid consumption to replace lost electrolytes.

This will not only help improve your quality of life but will also prevent your stoma from becoming blocked up.

2. Emotional impact

Many people with stomas experience an adverse impact on their mental health, often including anxiety and depression, body image issues, sexual problems and decreased self-esteem.

These intense emotions are part of the recovery process and should pass with time. Discussing them with loved ones or a member of an ostomy support group may also help.

3. Discomfort with your appearance

Some ostomates (people with a stoma) may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their stoma, particularly if it protrudes from their abdomen. Furthermore, many are fearful of getting hernias or experiencing other health complications related to having an ostomy.

Talk with your ostomy nurse about these problems; they may suggest different strategies that will help you manage them effectively.

You may be able to wear clothing that conceals your pouch or opt to place it somewhere that can be covered up by clothes. And you may wish to join a support group for ostomates, for more tips from people familiar with living with an ostomy, while also finding support and encouragement from peers who share similar experiences.

4. Changes to your lifestyle

Once you are familiar with your new stoma routine, it may be possible to resume normal activities without much impact; however, it’s wise to plan ahead. Packing enough stoma supplies can prevent an accident from ruining your day. When travelling make sure you bring all of the necessities along.

Having a stoma shouldn’t stop you from participating in physical activities or exercises, although some rough sports should be avoided. You can buy special supports and bags designed to protect your stoma during physical activities.

You could even get special pouches specifically made to be worn while swimming or engaging in other sports activities.

5. Changes to your relationships

Men and women living with stomas may notice changes to their intimate relationships due to changes in how they view themselves, physical factors like scarring and interruption of blood and nerve supply, as well as psychological factors.

Some people find having sex more challenging due to having to empty or switch out their appliances before initiating intimacy. Others may experience issues with erections or ejaculation as a result, though often these symptoms improve over time.

At your stoma nurse visits, any concerns about sexual function and relationships should be raised, in addition to support and advice that may come through virtual appointments. Furthermore, organisations specialising in stoma care and support may offer further advice and services for you.

5 Tips on Dealing with Common Stoma Problems: Video

Lifestyle Adjustment with a Stoma

Though stomas may require major lifestyle adjustments, research shows that people can maintain their quality of life following surgery. While some changes might need to be made initially, most are back to regular activities quickly enough.

People living with stomas should remember that certain foods may change the output of their stoma and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, gas, an unpleasant odour or blockages. One can keep track of this by keeping a food diary or journal to see what affects it most. If something causes difficulty you could try temporarily cutting it from your diet.

One should also make time for physical activity by staying active, and finding an exercise regimen one enjoys doing. For instance, taking a stroll with friends, doing some light yoga in comfortable clothing, or working out at home.

Also, accept offers of help from family and friends so that more time can be spent doing what makes you happy!

Common Myths about Stomas

Stomas may be required for various conditions, including bowel cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. They can either be permanent or temporary depending on the individual’s circumstances.

People living with stomas often worry others will notice it. Although this may take some time to get used to, it’s vital to remember you’re not alone!

Many people worry that post-stoma surgery, their diet will significantly change. However, it’s entirely possible to continue eating as before the stoma creation. Eating a variety of protein and fibre-rich foods will keep your stoma in good health.

Drinking plenty of water is also crucial when living with an ostomy, to decrease the risk of leakage, which could damage the skin. To get more personal advice about this matter, you’ll need to speak to your stoma care nurse.

Stoma: Frequently Asked Questions