Pre-cut Pouching Systems Question: I have had a stoma for several years, but recently I developed arthritis in my hands. It’s getting difficult to use scissors to cut my flanges. Is there anything else I can use? Answer: Preparation of pouching systems can be a cause of concern for individuals with ostomies. There can be [...]
Skin Irritation Question: I have recently noticed a bit of red skin around my stoma (an ileostomy) that sometimes burns, and sometimes itches. I have never had this before. Is there anything I should do? Answer: Redness on the skin around the stoma can be from several sources. Some of the more common reasons can [...]
Stoma Site Selection Question: I have Crohn’s disease and need to have surgery. My surgeon says I will need to have a stoma. A friend said I should get the spot selected for the stoma before surgery. What does this mean? Answer: Your friend is referring to stoma site marking, a process that occurs prior [...]
Jennifer R Tales of Triumph My story is one of triumph in the making. My journey with IBD started with my premature birth, during which I was born weighing only a little over a pound and went down to just a pound. My first tale of triumph was at the tender age of three days [...]
Tips for Travelling with IBD Travelling away from home for any length of time requires preparation and planning. For an individual with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are some extra things to consider. IBD primarily refers to two diseases of the intestines: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are chronic and systemic with treatment [...]
Minerals: We are what we absorb Introduction We are what we eat? Well, “we are what we absorb” might be the more precise statement. It is possible to eat enough to meet the recommended nutritional needs on paper, but if your body is not absorbing those nutrients, then it is simply not enough nourishment, and [...]
Concealing your Appliance Question: I am worried that people can see my ostomy appliance under my clothes. Is there any way that I can “hide” my pouch better? Answer: Concealment of an ostomy appliance under clothes is a common concern. There are several options that may help you to “hide” your pouch under your attire. [...]
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consisting of fine ulcerations in the inner mucosal lining of the large intestine. Inflammation starts at the lower end of the colon, just above the anus, and extends upward in a continuous manner, to variable [...]
Bowel Blockage or Obstruction Question: I had ulcerative colitis, have had my large intestine removed, and have an ileostomy. I just got out of hospital after having experienced a bowel obstruction. Can this happen again? Answer: A bowel obstruction is when the normal movement of food, fluid, or gas is prevented from occurring within the [...]
Irrigation for Colostomies Question: I have a colostomy and someone suggested I could try irrigation to manage it. What is irrigation? Answer: Irrigations for colostomies involve the regular installation of moderate to large volumes of water to clear the colon of stool. Essentially, it is an enema into the stoma resulting in the clearing of [...]
Parastomal Hernias Question: My doctor says I have a hernia around my stoma. What do I need to know about this? Answer: Simply, a hernia is an abnormal protrusion, or out-pouching, of bowel through a weakened area in the abdominal wall (the abdominal wall being the muscle and fat layers). In the case of a [...]
Regular vs. Extended Wear Barriers Question: I have an ileostomy, and was told that I should change my flange from my current regular barrier to an extended wear barrier. What's the difference? Answer: There are different types of barriers available for people with ostomies. Most ostomy product suppliers offer a range of barriers or wafers. [...]
Sex and a Stoma Question: My wife recently underwent surgery for ulcerative colitis and now has a temporary ileostomy. While we have talked a little bit about starting to have sex again, we’re both rather scared about doing this. Are there things I/we can do to make this easier? Answer: Resuming sexual activity after ostomy [...]
Stoma Shape Question: My Stoma Seems to be Changing Size/Shape. Is This Normal? Answer: Changes to the size and shape of a stoma can occur with both new and established stomas. Multiple factors can contribute to these alterations. Changes to the size and shape of a new stoma are normal during the post-operative period. Initially, [...]
If You’ve Got a Life to Live, You Need MedicAlert® When it comes to living life, there’s a lot to enjoy. However, if you have a health condition, drug or food allergy, or take medication on a regular basis, you may be exposing yourself to undue risk every single day. That’s why there is MedicAlert. [...]
Ileostomies & Colostomies and Diet For individuals with an ileostomy (opening into the ileum) or a colostomy (opening into the colon), a well-balanced diet is important. For both groups, there are losses of fluid via the ostomy because water is normally reabsorbed by the body in the colon. A typical fluid intake per day for [...]
Diet for the Compromised Bowel If you have an ostomy, or even if you have had sections of your bowel removed and do not have an ostomy, understanding these food characteristics may be helpful: These foods are likely to produce gas: Beer and other alcohol, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chewing gum, cucumber, dairy products, dried beans, [...]
Bismuth for IBD and IBS-D Researchers in Australia recently studied colloidal bismuth subcitrate (oral bismuth) as a possible long-term treatment for chronic, difficult to treat (intractable) diarrhea associated with some types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).1 The researchers chose to study this product instead of bismuth subsalicyclate (the active [...]
Ulcerative Colitis Patient Journey Video Video Transcript If you or a loved one have received an ulcerative colitis diagnosis, you might feel overwhelmed and concerned. The patient journey can be long and complex, but with the right tools and a support system, you can lead a healthy and balanced life. Typically, [...]
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