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Stomas
A stoma is an artificial opening of an organ onto the abdominal wall. In general, for patients requiring stomas because of bowel conditions, they will have either an ileostomy (opening of the small bowel onto the abdominal wall), or a colostomy (opening of the large bowel or colon onto the abdominal wall). The quality of life for people with stomas have improved dramatically in the past two decades for two main reasons:
- The introduction of disposable adhesive appliances which has ensured a very safe reliable seal around the stoma.
- The training of specialized registered nurses as stomal therapists who are available to help with practical and psychological difficulties.
Appliances
Appliances consist of a plastic bag and a flange, which is attached to the skin around the stoma. Appliances can be in either a one piece or two piece attachment. They are often inseparable in a one-piece appliance, but can be detached from each other in a two-piece appliance. The two-piece appliance has the advantage that the flange is left attached to the skin while the bag is changed, and if a satisfactory seal is maintained, it can be kept in place for several days. This makes management easier, as it is less time consuming and less damaging to the skin. Most flanges have attachments for a supporting belt for added security. Disposable bags have largely replaced non-disposable appliances.
Long term management of stomas
Ileostomy function is less predictable than colostomy function, and therefore ileostomies are usually permanently managed by allowing them to empty into an appliance.
Colostomy management may involve one of three methods
- Natural method - occasionally the colostomy can be relied upon to act at a predictable time each day, often in response to a stimulus such as a hot drink. Between actions, a covering such as a plastic cap supported by a belt may be all that's required.
- Appliance methods - most times bowel activity is not predictable and many patients find a permanent appliance satisfactory. One or two-piece non-drainable bags are most commonly used, being disposed of and changed after each action.
- Irrigation method - in the irrigation method the colon is emptied by irrigation every 24-48 hours. Advantages include freedom from a bag between irrigations and perhaps some saving in time and cost. This technique involves the patient sitting on a toilet and passing an irrigation tube into the colostomy. Approximately 1000ml of water usually acts after 10-30 minutes. A substantial amount of faecal material is passed, and the bowel may well then not act again until the next irrigation. The stoma may be covered by a small pad or bag between irrigations.
Related Downloads
Authorised: Adrian Polglase
Reviewed: Monday, February 27, 2006
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gas
July 18, 2007 |
| We’ve all experienced intestinal gas, some more than others. While belching, bloating, and flatulence are considered normal, the urge to pass gas can cause social embarrassment, discomfort and pain. Although you can’t stop gas from forming, you may be able to alleviate the symptoms through diet, lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience persistent gas pains, you should talk to your doctor.
For more information on intestinal gas, visit the ACG Web site at www.acg.gi.org
Source: American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
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Bowel cancer finding brings screening closer
July 18, 2007 |
| RESEARCHERS have identified for the first time a gene that triggers bowel cancer, a move that could bring closer a genetic screening test for the disease.
The gene, carried by about half the population, appears to increase the risk of developing bowel cancer by 20per cent.
Bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for about 13,000 new cases a year.
So far, faulty genes have only been implicated in about 5 per cent of all cancers, and 5 per cent of bowel cancers.
In the case of bowel cancers, the genetic defects so far associated with the disease are all thought to be associated with faulty cellular repair mechanisms, meaning that the body loses the ability to kill off cells that start to divide abnormally.
Bowel cancer is also the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia, accounting for 4372 deaths in 2003, or 11.5 per cent of the total fatalities. It is notoriously hard to pick up for a number of reasons, including the difficulty of picking up warning signs - such as blood in the faeces - and patients' reluctance to see their doctors.
This year the federal Government began rolling out a screening program, costing $43 million over three years, whereby older Australians send in a faecal sample for testing.
If blood that could indicate a cancer is detected in the sample, the patient may be called in for further examinations.
The latest findings, published in international journal Nature Genetics, suggest a faulty gene found on chromosome 8 may trigger bowel cancer, and account for 10per cent of all cases of the disease. |
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| Let's Beat Bowel Cancer |
| An initiative of Cabrini Health, Let's Beat Bowel Cancer is a not-for-profit, community awareness program dedicated to saving lives through improved bowel cancer research, education and prevention.
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