what is the best way to clean a colostomy bag after a bowel.movement

Colostomy Irrigation

People with colostomies may choose colostomy irrigation to regulate bowel movements and cleanse the bowel. The process involves flushing the colon daily with water through a stoma (surgical opening) in the abdomen. You don't demand to wear a colostomy bag. People with inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer may need a colostomy and irrigation.

Overview

Colostomy surgery overview

What is a colostomy?

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that connects role of the large intestine (colon) to a surgical opening in the abdominal wall (stoma). As part of the digestive organization, the large intestine helps move poop (stool) out of the body.

When you have a colostomy, stool exits the body through the stoma instead of the rectum. A bag that attaches to the stoma (skin) collects the stool. You empty this handbag several times during the day.

Some people need colostomies for a short time while the colon or rectum heals. A surgeon and so reattaches the ends of the intestine and closes the stoma. Other people need permanent colostomies.

A colostomy is different than an ileostomy, which also moves stool out of the trunk. It connects the small intestine (ileum) to a surgical opening in the intestinal wall.

What is colostomy irrigation?

Colostomy irrigation is a mode to remove stool without wearing a colostomy bag all the fourth dimension. Y'all utilize the stoma to wash out the colon with water (similar an enema). You perform this procedure at the same time every twenty-four hour period, or every other day, depending on your needs.

Who needs colostomy irrigation?

People with sure digestive tract disorders that affect the large intestine (colon and rectum) may need a colostomy. While there are several atmospheric condition that demand this, the more common ones include:

Anal cancer or colorectal (colon) cancer.
Cervical cancer or vaginal cancer.
Diverticulitis.
Fecal incontinence.
Hirschsprung disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's illness.
Abdominal injury or trauma.
Large bowel (intestinal) obstacle.

Who is a candidate for colostomy irrigation?

Irrigation works best when stool is firmer. For this reason, irrigation is only an option if you have one of these colostomy types:

Descending: The descending colon, which runs down the left side of the abdomen, connects to the stoma. Solid stool starts to class in this office of the colon.
Sigmoid: A sigmoid colostomy connects the last function of the bowel (sigmoid colon) to the stoma. The sigmoid colon moves solid waste matter into the rectum.

Process Details

What colostomy irrigation supplies practise you lot need?

You need special medical supplies to perform colostomy irrigations. You can go these supplies from your healthcare provider, chemist's shop or medical supply store. You need:

Adjustable belt.
Closure clips.
Irrigation sleeve and organization (container and tubes).
One-half to 1 quart of warm water (500 to ane,000 cubic centimeters).
Water-based lubricant.

How is colostomy irrigation performed?

Your healthcare provider will prove you lot how to perform colostomy irrigation. Here's what you should know:

The process can take upwards to ane 60 minutes. It gets easier with practice and fourth dimension.
It's best to perform irrigation at the same time each day.
Y'all may desire to try irrigating at the time of day y'all typically had a bowel movement (before getting the colostomy).
Irrigation may be easier afterward a meal or hot drinkable.
Abdominal pain or nausea may occur during irrigation, and may mean that water flow is too fast or the h2o is too common cold.
In half dozen to viii weeks, your bowels will typically adjust, and bowel movements volition become regular.
A cap covers the stoma betwixt irrigations.

Risks / Benefits

What are the potential risks or complications of colostomy irrigation?

You may develop skin irritation around the site of the stoma. You should call your healthcare provider if you discover signs of infection, such as burning, itching or waterish belch. It's normal to accept a small corporeality of blood at the stoma.

A colostomy may make you more prone to constipation or diarrhea. Information technology's of import to become enough fiber in your nutrition and drink enough of water to forbid these problems. Some people experience a pocket-sized amount of stool leakage between irrigations.

Having a colostomy may touch how you feel about yourself and your trunk epitome. It's not ever easy to control things like passing gas and odors. Talk to your healthcare provider if you start to feel anxious or depressed.

Recovery and Outlook

How effective is colostomy irrigation?

If not having a bag is important to you, colostomy irrigation tin can be an effective way to remove stool from the torso.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I call my healthcare provider?

You lot should telephone call your provider if you lot experience:

Change in stoma size or appearance.
Chronic skin irritation or signs of peel infection.
Extreme nausea and vomiting.
Pregnant decrease in gas or stool (stoma output).
Severe stomach cramps that last for more than a few hours.
Unusual smell, severe haemorrhage or watery belch from the stoma.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Adjusting to life with a colostomy tin can be challenging. For some people, a colostomy is temporary. Others will e'er need one. Your body just needs to do this normal process in a slightly unlike way. Over time and with practise, irrigation becomes easier. Your healthcare provider tin help you adjust to this new way of using the bathroom. Whether you cull to gargle or wear a pouch, a colostomy shouldn't keep y'all from doing the things y'all beloved.

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10747-colostomy-irrigation