Frequently Asked Questions of colostomize

Like you, there are more people living with a colostomy. Initially encountered d
ifficulties, but with adequate knowledge about their situation, managed to deal
adequately with their colostomy and reached a good level of physical and psychol
ogical well-being.
For this to happen it is essential to be well informed, and have the support of
health professionals and those around him. For that we created this guide which
aims to respond to questions most frequently colostomize.
What is a colostomy?
The term refers to union colostomy the anterior abdominal wall of a portion of t
he colon, in order to allow the evacuation of feces and gases. The evacuation ta
kes place by a hole called stoma. We can say that the colon or large intestine f
ulfills a function of absorption of fluids and sodium (for ex. Salt) diet. One c
an live normally without the colon, because digestion takes place before the foo
d gets to that place. The main consequences of withdrawing a portion of the colo
n are: • as the small intestine to replace the colon in the absorption of fluids
. • The output is accompanied by fecal enzymes which are substances that
serve to break down food. At first the stools will be more fluid, slowly gaining
consistency. So can irritate the skin.
What should I watch with my stoma?
Preventing skin problems is much easier to treat them. Therefore it is important
a careful skin cleansing and the use of suitable collection devices (boards and
bags). Therefore, you should: • • • Keep the skin that is under the bag, clean
and dry. Clean the skin surrounding the stoma with warm water and mild soap, wit
hout rubbing too. Do not use irritants (such as perfumes, alcohol, ether, etc ..
.)
•
Do not use depilatory creams or shave the hair around the stoma, can cut them wi
th scissors.
How do I place the colostomy bag?
It is recommended that the placement of the bag is made in the position it will
usually stay while you post. So for example, to put the bag you will use during
the day, do it in the morning while standing or sitting. For the night, to lie,
we recommend placing the bag in the down position. You may also be useful to put
the bag in front of a mirror. The fixing of the bag around the stoma, it is imp
ortant that the fastening system prevents the escape of feces because they irrit
ate the skin. The opening of the bag or board that supports it depends on the co
ntour of the stoma and this in turn undergoes changes over time.
In changing bags should remove the adhesive and gently in the direction of hair
growth. You should always clean the skin gently put a new bag.
Can I wear the same clothes he wore before?
Yes, just be careful to wear clothing that does not exercise direct pressure on
the stoma (eg, underwear too tight and rigid parts with straps, belts at the hei
ght of the stoma, tight pants).
... and the bath, how do I do?
You can bathe as before, with or without a bag according to your preference. If
the feces are more liquid is preferable to bathe with the bag.
Can I travel or go on vacation?
You can even travel outside the country, since it can effectively take care of t
heir stoma. If you are traveling separately from your luggage should carry a bag
of booking.
What kind of food should I have?
You may continue with a diet as varied as before the intervention, however there
are some simple rules that must meet in order to avoid diarrhea, constipation a
nd gas. Foods such as yogurt and fresh cheeses and lean have the virtue of reduc
ing gases and unpleasant odors.
Your diet will depend on the location of the colon (large intestine) where they
performed the colostomy.
If your colostomy is located on the right side of the intestine, have a natural
tendency for diarrhea, the stool will be softer by should avoid: • vegetables ri
ch in fiber
• • • • •
the charcuterie, raw fats or fries, condiments, bread, carbonated beverages, fro
zen or exciting (coffee, tea and alcohol).
The stool will be more consistent if your diet include: • Lean meats and fish,
• • • • • •
rice, carrots, pasta, cassava, corn starch, peeled fruits (apples, pears, peache
s).
If your colostomy is located in the transverse colon should be aware that: • whe
re it is located closer to the blind to your diet will be similar to a colostomy
right, • where it is located closer to the sigmoid will be similar to a colosto
my left . If your colostomy is located in the left colon or sigmoid your stools
will be harder and molded€less aggressive to skin and a lower frequency of the s
tools 3-4 times per day. Due to reflex gastro - colic stools, in general, are re
lated to the point in time when the intake of food. So if make their meals at re
gular hours your bowel function in a more regular and predictable.
See the following tables for a better knowledge of foods to include or avoid in
your diet. Colostomy on the right foods
Milk
Authorized
In controlled quantity (fresh milk, skimmed, skimmed condensed unsweetened powde
r). Fresh, cooked.
The avoid
In case of milk intolerance should introduce it gradually or use their products.
Cheese Poultry Meat
fermented Strong (goat). Delicatessen.
All without skin.
All lean meats, smoked meats. (Veal, beef, chicken, rabbit), poor nerves and gri
lled. Everyone. and All crustácios and white fish (sole, pescadinha, cod, sea ba
ss, hake, trout), preferably slightly cooked in the oven or grilled. Dark fish (
anchovies, salmon, tuna), fried, smoked, sardines, mackerel and herring fillets.
Fish eggs crustácios
White bread and bread derivatives fresh, full and dark bread. crackers, toasted
bread and crackers. Rice cereal, pasta, starch or potato chips fried cassava, wh
eat semolina, in excessive amounts. mashed potatoes. Cooked green vegetables (gr
een beans, carrots and leeks). Green vegetables cruos (peeled tomatoes, salads).
Fiber-rich vegetables (asparagus, artichokes, turnips, cabbage, celery, radishe
s). Laxatives vegetables (spinach), fresh vegetables (beans, peas). Strong veget
ables (garlic, onion, cucumber, mushrooms).
Vegetables
Fruits
Ripe, peeled fruit or nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, pome (apples, pears and raisins,
almonds). Peaches). Laxative fruits (cherries, melons, plums, oranges, tangerin
es). Fresh butter, margarine, lard and frying. olive oil, peanut oil, corn and s
unflower. Jelly, honey, sugar, chocolate cakes, ice cream and pastries without c
ustard. with cream.
Fats
Sugary
Drinks
Non-carbonated mineral water, fruit juice, wine in small quantities, vegetable s
oups, tea or weak coffee. It is desirable to drink without quantitative restrict
ion during meals.
Carbonated (mineral water, beer, champagne, cider), alcohol in general (appetize
rs, digestive liqueurs), tea or strong coffee, cold drinks.
Condiments and salt, tomato paste, herbs All other. spices are tolerated.
Colostomy Left Food
Milk
Authorized
The avoid
Fresh semi-skimmed milk, in case of intolerance skimmed condensed introduce them
without sugar. progressively or preparation of other cooked. Fresh cheese, ferm
ented and cooked. And almost all cooked. Smoked, grilled, fatty meats (pork ribs
, bacon and bacon), sausages less lean ham.
Cheese Meat and poultry
Eggs
All cooked to taste.
Fresh bread and bread derivatives.
Wholemeal bread, dark bread (except in case of constipation).
Cereals Vegetables
All meals, rice, fries or sautéed with pasta, semolina, potatoes. too often. All
 cooked vegetables that were tolerated According to the individual. previously.
Raw vegetables (carrots, salad). Mashed. tolerance
Dried Fruits Vegetables
Entire second individual tolerance.
Cooked, raw, very Raisins, almonds, walnuts and ripe and peeled. Dried fruit nut
s seconds. individual tolerance. Fresh butter, olive oil, raw, fried fresh cream
(not excessively). All in moderate second quatidade Chocolate, pastries without
tolerance, ice cream, fruit pie. pastry with cream. Water, weak tea and coffee.
Herbs, vegetables and meat broths, wine in moderate amount. All carbonated beve
rages (sparkling), beer, cold drinks, fruit juice (according to tolerance) and p
epper
Fats
Sugary drinks
Condiments and All who drank too much spices before. peppers.
Who can I go if I have questions?
If any doubt or problem you can go to your health center and talk to your doctor
or nurse. Hopefully with this guide to answer some of your questions and help t
o improve their quality of life.
This guide was prepared by Susana Pereira and Pedro Silva, students from years 1
999-2000 complement of Nursing, School of
Nursing at St. John during Stage Community Health conducted by the Center for He
alth Arcozelo.