COLOSTOmates
DISCLAIMER: All materials contained within these web pages are presented expressly for informational purposes only. In no way are any of the materials presented here meant to be a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. ALWAYS check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, or before starting a new program of treatment. The operators of this web site are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for ANY form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by these documents.
DISCLAIMER: All materials contained within these web pages are presented expressly for informational purposes only. In no way are any of the materials presented here meant to be a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. ALWAYS check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, or before starting a new program of treatment. The operators of this web site are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for ANY form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by these documents.
Colostomy and Exercise
from Coloplast Website - 12/04/2009 It’s important to resume your normal activities when possible and get moving. Gentle exercise such as walking is ideal. When you feel ready, you can gradually increase your activity levels to improve your circulation. Exercise is good for everyone and the type of activities you do will depend on what you did before your operation. If you weren’t rock climbing before your surgery then you probably won’t feel too inclined to take it up after! All doctors agree on the benefits of exercise – but it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise programme, especially if you’re very out of practice, or if you have other conditions, like asthma or a heart condition. There are special small ostomy bags available, which provide extra discretion and are ideal for sports or swimming. A gradual process Taking up any sport should be a gradual process and you should speak to your specialist stoma nurse for advice on how to reduce the risk of getting a hernia. If you are doing any type of contact sport, always use a stoma shield for protection. For some sports such as boxing, judo or martial arts, you may need a letter from your consultant. If you are playing golf, walking or cycling over long distances, carry a changing set and disposable bag with you. The benefits of exercise:
SOOOO—HOW DO I CLEAN THIS POUCH? Via: Hemet-San Jacinto, CA If you are cleaning a drainable two-piece pouch for reuse, use warm, rather than hot or cold water. Cold water doesn’t lift stool or urine as readily from the plastic and the pouch is less pliable. Hot water will cause the pouch to wear out faster and may increase the likelihood of odor. If you want to rinse the pouch while you’re still wearing it, use a small squirt bottle to get the water in it, slosh’ it around by holding the end and let things empty into the toilet. Unless you have no option, it’s best to remove the pouch entirely for cleaning. A bit of ordinary dish detergent with warm water, or, if bacteria is a concern, a bit of white vinegar mixed with water will do the trick. Fill the pouch with the warm water/soap/vinegar solution and slosh it by hand over the toilet, drain and repeat as necessary. It’s not recommended that you wash these things in the sink- - the drains are usually too small to handle this sort of waste and the result will not be hygienic. Once you have things reasonably clean, you can hold the pouch under the bathtub faucet and let it rinse. Tub drains are larger and so long as you let a good flush of water follow, and scrub the bathtub on a regular basis (which you do anyway, right?) your bathroom will not smell. Baking soda in the wash water and down the drain is an excellent deodorizer. You can hang the wet pouch by the ring on a hook to dry or just leave it flat on a towel and it will be ready for use the next day. The inside doesn’t have to be bone dry for use, but the outside and ring should be. A lot of products have a thin fabric covering on them—nice against the skin when dry but very uncomfortable if damp. Make sure that part is dry before putting it back on. |
Overall Colostomy Care
From Edgepark Medical Supply website: You may have questions about daily life with a colostomy. Edgepark provides ostomy tips to provide you with answers.Talk to your physician about your questions and follow his or her recommendations. Now, on to the ostomy tips! Colostomy Care Question # 1: Question: I'm wondering about my colostomy and bathing. Do I need to wear my colostomy bag in the bathtub or shower? What about swimming? Answer: You can bathe or shower with or without your colostomy bag. Water will not enter your stoma. Empty your bag before you go swimming and be sure to wear the bag while you are swimming. Colostomy Care Question # 2: Question: What about returning to work? What can I expect? Answer: You can return to work as soon as your physician approves of your return. If you do heavy lifting in your job, you may need special support (ostomy belt) to avoid getting a hernia. Some people with a colostomy worry about needing special clothing after their surgery; in fact, your colostomy bag is flat enough that it won't be noticeable under most outfits. Colostomy Care Question # 3: Question: What limitations are there on exercising? Answer: Exercise is important for your overall good health. Talk to your physician to find out when you can begin exercising again and then start back slowly. If you want to play contact sports, be sure to empty your colostomy bag before participating and ask your physician about the added protection of an ostomy belt. Colostomy Care Question # 4: Question: How will medicines that I take for other conditions affect me? Will I need to take extra vitamins? Answer: Medicines can change the consistency of output, often causing constipation or runny output. As far as vitamins, you'll want to talk to your physician about that but, typically, you can get all the vitamins you need from a healthy balanced diet. Colostomy Guide: In English (24 pp, 195 kB) En Español (29 pp, 271 kB) Guidebook, PDF format Colostomy Facts: In English En EspañolFact Sheet (web page) Colostomy Irrigation: In English (4 pp, 159 kB) Article by Debra Rooney PDF format Irrigation FAQs: In English (13 pp, 83 kB) PDF document Colostomy: Articles for New Patients In English (36 pp, 2.00 MB) Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Legal Terms of Use UOAA.ORG NATL WEBSITE
Copyright ©2013 - OSTOMY LAS VEGAS SUPPORT GROUP
Contact Us / 702 483-8116
Copyright ©2013 - OSTOMY LAS VEGAS SUPPORT GROUP
Contact Us / 702 483-8116