Thursday, 14 September 2017

What is a Colostomy Bag? - Life With a Colostomy Bag

Colostomy Bag

Colostomy bags, stoma bags, and ostomy bags are the same things. These are some different names or recognition of ostomy pouches. Well, a colostomy patient discharges solid stool, and the colostomy appliance collects the waste in it. The colostomy bags are usually discardable and waterproof tools. They have attached to the opening in the abdomen or stoma of the ostomate. The hole of the colostomy appears on the left side of the abdomen wall. The round opening has created by doctors during the procedure of colostomy surgery.



During the colostomy surgery, doctors remove the infected or injured part of the colon, they bring the remaining section to the outer side of the abdomen (towards the hole or opening, called a stoma) for the excretion purpose. After the making of the stoma, a person discharges the solid waste through the opening. The feces do not come out through the anus after the construction of the stoma. The colostomy surgery happens in the result of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Diverticulitis, colon cancer, rectal cancer, blockage in the colon, infection in the colon, injury in the large intestine, or disease in the bowel.

After the creation of an opening in the abdomen of the patient, there should be something to cover the hole and collect the solid stool. The tool you use for this purpose is called a stoma bag, colostomy bag, ostomy bag, or pouch. Sometimes, a colostomy is permanent; however, in a few cases, it is a temporary procedure.

Usually, ostomates think that their entire life is going to change after the use of an ostomy bag. Well, there is no complication in your lifestyle and body after getting the stoma. It does not bother you once you are used to your stoma life and ostomy appliances. Stoma and its tools do not give you pain. It is a common surgery and happens to many people. Merely, a patient feels a burden on the mind and a few emotional changes in their behavior in the early days of the colostomy, but with the time everything gets settled down.

When and Why do You Need a Colostomy Bag?



Right after the construction of stoma in the patient's abdomen, wearing of colostomy bag gets compulsory. You cannot leave the opening open and alone. It needs to get covered with an appliance. Thus, you need a pouch or bag that can collect the discharge of the body. The stoma of colostomy excretes solid stool; therefore, it is ok to not wear a drainable pouching system. Moreover, no matter what age and gender you are, after getting the stoma, you will have to wear the colostomy bag. If it is a loop colostomy, then you will get rid of these tools after the reversal of the procedure; however, for end colostomy, you will have to wear the pouching system for the rest of your life.

Life with Colostomy Bag

Life with the ostomy pouching system does not mean that your special moments are halting. An ostomate can live life on their own choices and wishes after the healing of internal organs and stoma. It does not affect the life and lifestyle negatively. A patient has to bring some new things and changes in life. It will be your new diet plan, change of hygiene routine, change of excretion path, bringing ostomy appliances with you all the time, changing your tools, cleaning the pouch, and taking care of the stoma and peristomal skin.


Moreover, when it comes to lifestyle, a colostomy patient can live his/her previous life. Going to work, gym, swimming, shopping, traveling, running, everything is normal with the colostomy.

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What is a Colostomy Bag? - Life With a Colostomy Bag

Colostomy Bag Colostomy bags, stoma bags, and ostomy bags are the same things. These are some different names or recognition of ostomy pou...