Ostomy Information
What Is An Ostomy?
What is IBD?
Did you Know?
What Is An Ostomy?
Ostomy is the term used to describe a surgically created opening in the body that results in a stoma, a small protrusion from the body at the site of the opening. Ostomies are created to change the flow of bodily waste. This change can be temporary or permanent, depending on the patient's disease and/or their particular condition.
Ostomies involve either the large or small intestine or the bladder. When impacting the large intestine, the term colostomy applies. Those affecting the small intestine are generally ileostomy procedures, and the procedures that divert urine away from the bladder are urostomy procedures.
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What is IBD?
IBD is a group of disorders that cause the digestive tract to be inflamed. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is broken down into 2 main categories as follows:
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by recurring episodes of inflammation of the mucosal layer of the large bowel not related to an intestinal infection. The inflammation involves the rectum and may extend proximally in a continuous fashion.
Crohn's disease is characterized by recurring episodes of suppurative inflammation of any part of the bowel, from the mouth to the anus. This inflammation is transmural, and can result in strictures, microperforations, and fistulae. The inflammation is noncontiguous and thus can produce skip lesions throughout the bowel.
It is estimated that seven people out of 100,000 in the United States develop Crohn's disease, and 10 to 15 people in 100,000 develop ulcerative colitis. The exact cause of these diseases is still unknown, but the latest research suggests that they may be caused by a malfunction in the body's immune system. Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis appear to run in families, and certain environmental factors may also increase an individual’s risk for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
In the early stages of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, medication is often needed. The goal of medical treatment is to suppress the abnormal inflammatory response and allow the intestinal tissues to heal. Once diarrhea and abdominal pain are under control, medical treatment can reduce the frequency of flare-ups and maintain remission.
Currently, there is no cure for IBD. In more advanced disease, surgery is often necessary. The type of operation performed is specific to each disease.
For more indepth information please visit the Cleveland Clinic Website. The Cleveland Clinic is an outstanding source of information.
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Did you Know?
*Did You know that Mrs. Barbara Bush's youngest son and brother of current president Bush, Marvin Bush was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1985? He underwent surgery to remove his colon the following year.
*Did you know that surgery does not, in general, interfere with a person's sexual or reproductive capabilities? Although some men who have had radical ostomy surgery for cancer lose the ability to achieve and sustain an erection, most men do not experience impotence, or, if they do, it is temporary. If impotence does occur, a variety of solutions are available. A urologist, a doctor who specializes in such problems, can help find the best solution. In women, ostomy surgery does not damage sexual or reproductive organs, so it does not directly cause sexual problems or sterility. Factors such as pain and the adjustment to a new body image may create some temporary sexual problems, but they can usually be resolved with time and, in some cases, counseling. Unless a woman has had a hysterectomy to remove her uterus, she can still conceive and carry a child to term usually without any
complications.
*Did you know that certain foods can cause an ostomy to become blocked?
Many people with ostomies can partake in a regular healthy diet. There are certain foods however that can cause problems. In my case, mushrooms are a no no. For other people popcorn and/or nuts are out of the question. If your ostomy is new, ask your ET nurse for a list of foods to watch out for.
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