Using Irrigation Kit To Manage Your Colostomy

Chicago IL

21 April, 2021

1:18 PM

Description

You may wonder if you won’t have to wear an ostomy pouch anymore after getting an ostomy. If you have a sigmoid colostomy, you can irrigate your colostomy to stop wearing an ostomy pouch. Colostomy irrigation involves instilling water into your stoma to stimulate a bowel movement. This process is similar to an enema. This process allows you to remain stool-free for 24-48 hours. Having fewer flatus will be an added benefit. This method is popular among people with colostomies around the world. It usually takes one hour to complete an irrigation process, and it has to be done consistently. That means you have to do it at the same time every day. An irrigation kit usually includes a bag for holding water, tubing with a flow regulator, a stoma cone, an irrigation sleeve, and a belt. Although the procedure of irrigating a colostomy is simple, it is not always easy for beginners. It might get quite messy until you get familiar with the process. Overall, you have to instill 500 – 1,000 ml of lukewarm water into your stoma, and then wait for about 30 minutes for a bowel movement to initiate. It will result in the stoma output passing out of your stoma. While there are a lot of benefits of colostomy irrigation, this procedure is not for everyone. You will not be able to irrigate your ostomy if you have an ileostomy, or you suffer from diarrhea, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, prolapsed stoma, or parastomal hernia. Even if you are the right candidate for colostomy irrigation, you have to dedicate an hour to the procedure. You may need to speak to your physician before starting irrigation if you are undergoing chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatment. As a general tip, be sure to stay hydrated the entire time and drink plenty of water particularly before starting the irrigation process. Some people have a good stomal output when they eat before the irrigation process. It is worth knowing that your stomal output may vary on a day-to-day basis, depending on your diet and hydration status. If you experience cramping while instilling water into your stoma, stop the water flow and wait for a minute. Cramping happens when you increase the flow and speed of water being instilled. Too cold water can also result in abdominal cramps. You can cut or cuff the irrigation sleeve to whatever size you want. You may still have intermittent stomal outputs throughout the day after irrigating your colostomy in the first few days. So, make sure to wear a small-sized ostomy pouch until you become confident that you won’t have any stools after irrigation. Once you start becoming stool-free after irrigating your colostomy, you can switch to using a stoma cap instead of an ostomy pouch. Overall research suggests that people who irrigate their colostomies are more confident and have a better quality of life than those who do not irrigate. Individuals irrigating their colostomies have fewer skin complications and better sleep quality. If you have a sigmoid or descending colostomy, and you want to start irrigating it to improve your quality of life, be sure to speak to your healthcare provider or an ostomy care nurse before starting colostomy irrigation.