Introduction
If you have had an ostomy, you might be wondering if there is a way you could control the time you empty your bowels. There is some good news for you. You could teach your colon to empty at specific periods with ostomy irrigation. However, you need your ostomy doctor's input to know if you can have this procedure.
In this post, we will explore ostomy irrigation and how it improves the lives of ostomates.
What is Ostomy Irrigation?
Irrigation is a bowel management approach for colostomies where the colon is washed to induce movement. Over time, your bowels will become used to this routine after a while, and you won't have to worry about going without waste in between flushes.
Am I A Candidate For Ostomy Irrigation?
Ostomy Irrigation is not for everyone. However, irrigation may be appropriate if you meet one or more of these criteria. They include;
- People with permanent colostomies in the descending or sigmoid region of the colon and who had normal bowel function before their ostomy surgery are suitable candidates for irrigation.
- Your stoma should generate a regular, semi-formed, or completely formed stool.
- You should have excellent eyesight and good handling skills.
How Does Ostomy Irrigation Work?
An ostomy irrigation works similarly to an enema, with water poured into your stoma. Before doing this, your ostomy care team will examine you and see if you can tolerate it. Afterward, you will be taught how to perform the procedure at home. This is how it works;
- Allow around an hour for the ostomy irrigation process.
- Pour some water into your stoma using a specific irrigation kit at the set time.
- Typically, the irrigation kits used in the process include an irrigation bag, a sleeve, and a stoma cone.
- Following irrigation, apply a stoma cap or a closed ostomy pouch to cover and protect the stoma easily.
If you are considering ostomy irrigation, it is essential to inform your ostomy care team. Your care team will help with vital details like the best time to have your irrigation and how frequently it should be done.
What are the Benefits of Ostomy Irrigation?
Some of the advantages stoma irrigation offers ostomates include;
- Allows you to decide when your stoma empties
- You can perform the procedure conveniently and stay continent between irrigations.
- Allows you to wear a more petite bag over your stoma, which might be more discreet and improve your confidence.
- It can help alleviate typical ostomy problems like bag leaks.
Conclusion
Ostomy irrigation can help people with stomas get greater control, freedom, and a better quality of life. Before you decide to do irrigation, you should talk to a medical professional to determine the pros and cons of your specific case.