Bloating is a common issue for people who have undergone an ostomy. Provided below is a guide on controlling and avoiding this unpleasant situation. Bloating and DistentionThe most common belief of these problems' cause is the relationship between the movement of gas and its subsequent release. Furthermore, abdominal swelling calls for the same loosening of clothing as bloating. While this is the public perception, a sizable amount of data indicates that intestinal gas has little to do with bloating or distention. General Definition"Bloating" is when abdominal pressure increases while the abdomen remains static. "Distention" is when both abdominal pressure and size increase by in tandem. Roughly half of patients who experience bloating also experience distention. Bloating is common to patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and distention is more common in people with constipation or pelvic floor dysfunction. Bloating is a largely subjective symptom, varying in description from patient to patient. While common to gastrointestinal disorders, half the patients who suffer bloating do not suffer from IBS. IBS Studies regard bloating as less a direct endpoint than a secondary or composite endpoint. Sadly, bloating's causes remains somewhat unknown. Managing bloating and distention requires therapies targeted at clearing out their mechanisms. "How Do I Handle Ballooning?"Ballooning is when gas builds up within an ostomy pouch's stoma. Try to Avoid Swallowing Air When EatingLimiting the amount of air swallowed when using your mouth to eat, drink, smoke and so on can trap air in your gut. Limit Consumption of "Gassy" Food and DrinkDiets rich in carbohydrates not only increase flatulence but also ballooning. Undigested carbs tend to inspire fermentation through colonic flora, leading to unpleasant sensations of bloating, cramping and diarrhea. Carbohydrates like lactose, mannitol and those commonly found in beans are all prime offenders. Several types of vegetables like cabbages, broccoli and corn can also induce gas. Antibiotics and certain probiotics are a viable route for dealing with intestinal microflora. Carbonated drinks should be avoided at all costs as they are the leading culprit in gas generation. Ileostomates are more likely to encounter bloating and ballooning, if only because their bowels have less nutrient and fluid content. Fortunately, these symptoms tend to reduce within four to six weeks after the procedure. Work on Controlling the Gas Within Your PouchHandling gas build-up within the pouch depends on the type of bag and procedure involved in your ostomy. Some bags have charcoal filtration, while others allow gas to seep out slowly through this filter. The filter soaks up the odor and keeps fluids from leaking out. Filtered pouches are poor choices for ileostomies because the stool tends to be liquid, seeping through the filter and leading to many unpleasant situations. Colostomy patients have less trouble here as their stool is thicker. To mitigate ballooning, remove the pouch system from its flange and free the gas. Return the bag to the flange while avoiding punctures to the pouch. Consider Dietary Supplements Lactose intolerant people tend to need supplements to mitigate gas build-up and other problems. Some of these supplements help with digesting dairy products. Controlling ballooning can be difficult for an individual, so experience can be the best guideline. Check with your nurse or caregiver on the best course of action for managing this problem with your condition.
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Colostomy bags are gadgets that collect a patient's stool from the digestive system. All that is done via an opening made in the abdomen through a surgery called a stoma. Usually, after surgery, the hospital gives the patients the first colostomy bag. The patients may decide to continue with that treatment or explore another treatment option. After leaving the hospital, the patients sometimes encounter problems when choosing the colostomy bags at first. They should consult ostomy nurses on the best choice that is suitable for them. Understanding the terms A colostomy is described as a procedure for the externalization of a small part of the large intestines. It is done in the anterior part of the patient's abdomen. The part of the colostomy bag that is involved in collecting waste is called a pouch or a bag. The part which sticks to the patients' body is referred to as a flange or faceplate. The system used is called the pouching system. It can be a one-piece or a two-piece. The pouches can come as drainable pouches or closed-ended, which now come with filters to prevent odor from escaping. The pouches come in various sizes and materials, depending on the patient's needs. The general time for having a bag on is four days. It helps keep patients from irritation and infections. What choices do you have? Because of producing more waste, colostomy patients prefer closed colostomy bags. Others may prefer charcoal filters because they filter odor as they release gases. Patients involved in irrigation tend to go for stoma cups because they are more convenient for movement. What should you consider when using colostomy bags? For new users, they should consider advice from nurses for the colostomy bags which best suit them. For the one-piece systems, there is a need to change the entire system, but the wafer has to be changed for the two-piece systems. The bags need to be changed if there happens to be any pain or itching. For any recent surgeries, the bag needs to be changed every two days. There need to be additional changes to the bag when and if the patient has a fever to avoid deforming it. Advantages of two-piece systems • Allows gas to escape, which is better than filters that dampen when used. • Patients can change to bigger bags without replacing the entire system. • They have floating flanges which help patients with impaired hands. Disadvantages of two-piece systems • They are bulk and visible under clothing. • For it to match, it may need additional appliances. • Convex models are rigid, making them hard to cope. Advantages of one-piece systems • They require fewer components to match. • They are lighter and flexible. • They are available in soft convex models. Disadvantages of one-piece systems • They do not emit gas. • The close-ended versions are disposable, making them expensive. Stoma and colostomy care considerations All patients with stomas or colostomy bags need to be educated about how to take care of themselves. It aids in giving them more courage to manage and change the poaches to avoid some problems. It also helps patients avoid being dehydrated. Most of the peristomal skin conditions can always be avoided. That can be done by excellent pouching system care as well as good skincare. A WOC nurse or experienced physicians can treat many of the skin conditions caused by either using the poaching system or other conditions. Experts who design stomas should be able to solve problems that their patients may experience. It is also essential for nurses to follow up with new stoma users to educate them on how to use them properly. It also helps identify and treat skin conditions early before they get serious. |
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