An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening, called a stoma, from an internal organ to the outside of the body. This allows waste to exit the body through the stoma, bypassing a diseased or damaged part of the digestive or urinary system.
Understanding Ostomies
Here's a breakdown to further clarify what an ostomy entails:
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Purpose: Ostomies are performed to treat various diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. They are often necessary when a part of the intestine or bladder is diseased, injured, or blocked.
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Stoma: The stoma is the surgically created opening on the abdomen. It is usually round and red and should be moist. It doesn't have nerve endings, so it's not painful.
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Types of Ostomies: The type of ostomy depends on the location in the digestive or urinary system where the opening is created. Common types include:
- Colostomy: An opening created from the colon (large intestine). Stool exits through the stoma.
- Ileostomy: An opening created from the ileum (small intestine). Stool exits through the stoma.
- Urostomy: An opening created to divert urine. This is commonly done by creating a conduit (a small pouch) from a section of the intestine and connecting the ureters (tubes carrying urine from the kidneys) to the pouch. Urine then exits through the stoma.
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Temporary vs. Permanent: An ostomy can be either temporary or permanent.
- Temporary Ostomy: Performed to allow a diseased or damaged section of the intestine or bladder to heal. Once healed, another surgery can be performed to reconnect the intestine or bladder, and the ostomy is closed.
- Permanent Ostomy: Performed when a section of the intestine or bladder is removed or is so damaged that it cannot be repaired.
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Collection Pouch: Because the stoma has no muscles to control the flow of stool or urine, a collection pouch (ostomy bag) is worn over the stoma to collect the waste. These pouches are designed to be discreet and odor-proof.
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Living with an Ostomy: People with ostomies can typically live full and active lives. They learn how to care for their stoma, manage their pouch, and make dietary adjustments if necessary. Support groups and ostomy nurses are available to provide education and assistance.
In summary, an ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening from the inside of the body to the outside for the purpose of eliminating waste, often due to disease or damage to the digestive or urinary systems.