1) Proper way of disposing of soiled ostomy pouches to help with odor
Do not dispose of your pouch in the toilet. It can go into regular trash but it is best to place your used pouch in a bag. Some companies provide bags with the pouches: they may be grey or blue. They are open ended and have to be tied shut. Unlike your ostomy pouches, disposal bags are NOT odorproof. Tie the first bag and if you are serious about controlling odor, put the first bag into a second bag and immediately take the double bag to the outside trash. If this is still not enough, add a charcoal briquet or a few drops of deodorizer into the second bag before tying it closed.
Be aware, that there are pouch liners that supposedly make emptying your pouch easier and cleaner. I have yet to meet anyone who thought that they helped. They claim to be flushable but I would not trust them.
2) Demonstrate New ostomy products.
We discussed new MIO line by Coloplast, and the new ostomy barrier strips
Other products that weren't mention are Diamonds and other packets to thicken liquid stool, Ostomysecrets abdominal binder These are currently available for free to try.
3) Can you swim, do you need to do anything special.
Swimming, waterskiing, scuba diving or even just sitting in a hot tub are all appropriate activities. Be aware that water sports will normally decrease wear time. For added security, some people like to use waterproof tape, like HyTape, picture-framed around the edge of their pouch or some of the new barrier strips that are available.
4)List of Suppliers
We will post one soon.
5) What to do when powder does not stay on
Powder should only be used when the skin is red AND raw. When it is raw, it will be wet and when powder is put on a wet surface it should stick. When it does not stick, there is probably skin and powder is inappropriate. Using a spray skin prep over the powder will seal the powder and form a crust. Powder, skin prep and a hair dryer to completely dry the area is the ULTIMATE OSTOMY BANDAIDE
6) What to do for skin irritation
Skin irritation for whatever reason should initially be treated with a light layer of powder, spray skin prep, and a hair dryer to completely dry the area. Multiple layers can be used if the area is very raw but it is important to dry well between each layer.
7) Nutritional health-such as good vitamins, foods that are irritating and not irritating
Most people benefit from a Multivitamin. Older adults may use other over the counter supplements like Flax seed oil, calcium, 81mg aspirin. Discuss all supplements with your physician because they can interact with prescription medication.
Most people - even those with an ileostomy - can eat whatever they choose after the first month. ALL foods need to be chewed well and taken with adequate fluids. It is advisable to start new foods one at a time to help you determine how a particular food affects you.
8) Tips for longer lasting wear of ileostomy
This IS the million dollar question.
1.Ideally, it begins before surgery with the location expertly identified by a CWOCN and hopefully this is the location that the surgeon uses. Like all good real estate, it is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Best wear time is with a good location which is on a firm, flat surface.
2. Second to location is an absolutely dry surface. Nothing sticks to wet skin. Use a hair dryer if needed and for urostomies, I strongly recommend tampons to help wick the urine up and away from the skin. Even a “manly man” will love tampons once they see how much easier pouch changes are.
3. The right pouching system is critical. You may need flat or convex wafers. Perhaps you need additional products like rings. If you have creases or wrinkles, caulking may be needed. Sometimes, you may need two kinds. Think of conventional paste( remember it in misnamed and has no additional sticking ability)in a tube and the putty paste strips. If you need both, think of them like bricks and mortar. (See images below.)
9) How to slow down dumping
Dumping may be tied to the length of the remaining bowel, or diet or transit time. A high intake of sugary drinks can increase motility and cause an osmotic diarrhea. For some increased fiber may help bulk the stool and create a more consistent quality of stool. The reality is that most individuals need to work very hard to slow dumping. A food diary may be helpful.
10) How to help stop leaks while changing pouches
If you are having a problem with changing pouches, or failure shortly after changing a pouch, you may want to review the basics including how large to cut the opening, cleaning with plain water or special stoma wipes, getting the skin really dry (THIS IS THE MOST COMMON REASON FOR POUCH FAILURES), placing the pouch and then holding it in place for a full 5 minutes. Some people like to use a heating pad to help increase wear time.
If you are doing everything correctly, then you may want to see a CWOCN to identify what the problem may be. Sometimes, you may have a condition that you do not recognize like a hernia. Perhaps your stoma telescopes from outside to inside with a change in position. There may be any number of issues that a CWOCN can help with.
Do not dispose of your pouch in the toilet. It can go into regular trash but it is best to place your used pouch in a bag. Some companies provide bags with the pouches: they may be grey or blue. They are open ended and have to be tied shut. Unlike your ostomy pouches, disposal bags are NOT odorproof. Tie the first bag and if you are serious about controlling odor, put the first bag into a second bag and immediately take the double bag to the outside trash. If this is still not enough, add a charcoal briquet or a few drops of deodorizer into the second bag before tying it closed.
Be aware, that there are pouch liners that supposedly make emptying your pouch easier and cleaner. I have yet to meet anyone who thought that they helped. They claim to be flushable but I would not trust them.
2) Demonstrate New ostomy products.
We discussed new MIO line by Coloplast, and the new ostomy barrier strips
Other products that weren't mention are Diamonds and other packets to thicken liquid stool, Ostomysecrets abdominal binder These are currently available for free to try.
3) Can you swim, do you need to do anything special.
Swimming, waterskiing, scuba diving or even just sitting in a hot tub are all appropriate activities. Be aware that water sports will normally decrease wear time. For added security, some people like to use waterproof tape, like HyTape, picture-framed around the edge of their pouch or some of the new barrier strips that are available.
4)List of Suppliers
We will post one soon.
5) What to do when powder does not stay on
Powder should only be used when the skin is red AND raw. When it is raw, it will be wet and when powder is put on a wet surface it should stick. When it does not stick, there is probably skin and powder is inappropriate. Using a spray skin prep over the powder will seal the powder and form a crust. Powder, skin prep and a hair dryer to completely dry the area is the ULTIMATE OSTOMY BANDAIDE
6) What to do for skin irritation
Skin irritation for whatever reason should initially be treated with a light layer of powder, spray skin prep, and a hair dryer to completely dry the area. Multiple layers can be used if the area is very raw but it is important to dry well between each layer.
7) Nutritional health-such as good vitamins, foods that are irritating and not irritating
Most people benefit from a Multivitamin. Older adults may use other over the counter supplements like Flax seed oil, calcium, 81mg aspirin. Discuss all supplements with your physician because they can interact with prescription medication.
Most people - even those with an ileostomy - can eat whatever they choose after the first month. ALL foods need to be chewed well and taken with adequate fluids. It is advisable to start new foods one at a time to help you determine how a particular food affects you.
8) Tips for longer lasting wear of ileostomy
This IS the million dollar question.
1.Ideally, it begins before surgery with the location expertly identified by a CWOCN and hopefully this is the location that the surgeon uses. Like all good real estate, it is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Best wear time is with a good location which is on a firm, flat surface.
2. Second to location is an absolutely dry surface. Nothing sticks to wet skin. Use a hair dryer if needed and for urostomies, I strongly recommend tampons to help wick the urine up and away from the skin. Even a “manly man” will love tampons once they see how much easier pouch changes are.
3. The right pouching system is critical. You may need flat or convex wafers. Perhaps you need additional products like rings. If you have creases or wrinkles, caulking may be needed. Sometimes, you may need two kinds. Think of conventional paste( remember it in misnamed and has no additional sticking ability)in a tube and the putty paste strips. If you need both, think of them like bricks and mortar. (See images below.)
9) How to slow down dumping
Dumping may be tied to the length of the remaining bowel, or diet or transit time. A high intake of sugary drinks can increase motility and cause an osmotic diarrhea. For some increased fiber may help bulk the stool and create a more consistent quality of stool. The reality is that most individuals need to work very hard to slow dumping. A food diary may be helpful.
10) How to help stop leaks while changing pouches
If you are having a problem with changing pouches, or failure shortly after changing a pouch, you may want to review the basics including how large to cut the opening, cleaning with plain water or special stoma wipes, getting the skin really dry (THIS IS THE MOST COMMON REASON FOR POUCH FAILURES), placing the pouch and then holding it in place for a full 5 minutes. Some people like to use a heating pad to help increase wear time.
If you are doing everything correctly, then you may want to see a CWOCN to identify what the problem may be. Sometimes, you may have a condition that you do not recognize like a hernia. Perhaps your stoma telescopes from outside to inside with a change in position. There may be any number of issues that a CWOCN can help with.