About Colostomies
During a colostomy, an operation takes place to divert one end of the colon (part of the large intestine) through to a new opening located to the left side of the body’s stomach.
The new opening is what we refer to as the stoma. Pouches are then placed over the stoma to collect the redirected waste, which are known as the colostomy bags.
Depending on the circumstance of the individual or the type of operation conducted, a colostomy bag may need to be worn temporarily or for the foreseeable future.
When a colostomy is needed
Colostomy’s are typically the result of an illness, injury or underlying problem with the digestive system. Opting for a surgery that results in a rerouted colon is often the result of removing a part of the colon which prevents the bowel from being joined together again.
Depending of the type of surgery, a stoma may be temporary or reversed at a later date, however in most cases a stoma is permanent.
Causes of a stoma of this nature can include:
- Bowel cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Anal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Bowel incontinence
- Hirschsprung disease
Products and maintenance
A colostomy bag will require changing regularly, how often is dependent on the types of bags you use. For example, closed bags may need to be changed one to three times a day, whereas drainable bags will only require changing every two to three days.
If you’re unsure on what type of bag will best suit your lifestyle, or if you’re looking to find a new solution after a recent operation, we can offer unbiased advice to suit your needs.
Pouch types
Colostomy pouches are available as one-piece pouches and two-piece pouches. Deciding which pouch is best for your stoma is dependent on a variety of factors. These include:
- How irritated the skin around your stoma can be
- The consistency of your bowel movements
- How predictable your bowel movements are
These are just a few of many factors that should be considered when recommending products and appliances. This is why we take the time to understand your full history, lifestyle and stoma type before guiding you on some of the best stoma care solutions available.
Browse our Stoma Products
View each category of stoma we cater for and order free samples to find your best fit. Our range of colostomy bags, ileostomy bags, urostomy bags and other stoma accessories are just a phone call away.
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