Resources Archive

The holidays are quickly approaching. The season may come with more time spent with family and friends but also more issues with stoma management. Learn helpful ostomy tips from our wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nurse to help keep your ostomy-friendly diet on track during this year’s holiday season.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the digestive tract and can lead to the need for an ostomy. Cheryl Hutton, wound, ostomy and continence nurse with CHC Solutions, Inc., highlights who is affected by Crohn’s and provides information on an ostomy.

According to Healthline, a colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the inside of the large intestine. This is done to check the bowel for disease or abnormalities. Learn how a colonoscopy works for those with a stoma and how to prepare for the procedure from the wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nurse, Cheryl Hutton, with CHC Solutions, Inc.

The skin surrounding the stoma (parastomal skin) and under the wafer can become irritated. To help prevent this irritation, rash and redness, you can follow the following tips from Cheryl Hutton, wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nurse with CHC Solutions, Inc.

According to Coloplast, ostomy ballooning occurs when there is a gradual build-up and accumulation of gas (flatulence) in colostomy or ileostomy bags. This gas passes through the stoma and fills the bag gradually just like inflating a balloon. The bag eventually fills up until it looks like a balloon attached to the abdomen.

Cheryl Hutton, a wound, ostomy and continence nurse (WOC nurse) with CHC Solutions, Inc., informs us of what a parastomal hernia is and how to identify it and reduce the chances of it happening.

For this Conversations with Clinicians segment, Cheryl Hutton (a wound, ostomy and continence nurse (WOC nurse) with CHC Solutions, Inc.) answers common questions about what to expect after ostomy surgery.

To help prepare you for your experience with your ostomy surgery, our wound, ostomy and continence nurse (WOC nurse), Cheryl Hutton, has laid out the process you can expect and included helpful tips for making the best of your surgery and stay at the hospital.

For today’s Conversations with Clinicians, Cheryl Hutton, a wound, ostomy and continence nurse (WOC nurse) with CHC Solutions, Inc., discusses ostomy leaks and how to help prevent them.

Ostomy pancaking is when stool overflows from the stoma. It leaves a thick, pancake-like mass of stool at the top of the bag. This can be unexpected and unpleasant, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent this from happening.

According to Hollister, a medical products manufacturer, it may take a few months to fully recover and adjust to your ostomy, but eventually you can exercise again. Exercising is a good way to keep your body active. Having this drastic change in your body may be scary, but don’t let it hold you back from staying healthy.

The United Ostomy Association of America recently shared guidelines on support groups that ostomates can attend virtually and online.   

The United Ostomy Associations of America has provided parents and caregivers of pediatric ostomates with a treasure trove of resources and links for them to peruse. You can find more information at www.ostomy.org   

For many ostomates, the potential of colostomy gas can be a source of anxiety. While there is no way to control the release of colostomy gas completely, there are a variety of ways to improve the odor and lessen the noise. Very Well Health has provided some tips on how to reduce gas and odor from a colostomy:

During the warmer months of the year, children like to cool off and get valuable exercise by swimming. Kids with ostomies are no different.

If a child has undergone ostomy surgery, changing the way their bowels empty, a parent and/or caregiver will need to understand the processes and proper care it involves. At Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, caregivers will find a list of suggestions, as well as tips and tricks, for selecting ostomy products, preparing for pouch changes, getting connected with a local nurse and more. Additionally, Hand To Hold provides tips from NICU nurses who have experience in taking care of babies with ostomies. Some of these resources include steps to most efficiently manage ostomy changes and find the best routine for bag changes.

After a person has an ostomy surgery, they’re introduced to a life with a pouch – and the patient or their caregiver may have questions. They may want to know how frequently pouches should be changed and the area around the stoma should be cleaned.

An ileostomy is the opening in an ostomate’s abdomen where surgeons removed a part of the colon or rectum. The name comes from the part of the small intestine called the ileum.

Disney World’s approach to serving guests with disabilities – including those with ostomies – is designed to ensure every guest can enjoy rides and attractions in the theme parks and resorts. The park system’s Disability Access Service (or DAS card) is about more than getting ahead in line; it is designed to ensure that every guest has an amazing Disney experience.

The parent advisory council of ostomy advocacy group ImproveCareNow has released an online “toolkit” for pediatric and young-adult ostomates, named “A Guide to Gutsy Living.” It is available by clicking HERE.

An ostomy doesn’t go away when someone is shopping, working or exercising. It is important for ostomates to be able to change their pouches and utilize their supplies outside the comfort of their own homes.

Travel locally or nationally with an ostomy doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little pre-planning and understanding of airport/train station security rules and an individual’s right to privacy, most people can avoid problems and enjoy their travels.

Pancaking is when a vacuum occurs in the stoma bag and the bag sticks together, preventing the contents from dropping to the bottom. This happens most frequently with ileostomies and colostomies. When it does occur, waste remains as a pancake-like mass at the top of the bag, which can potentially block the filter, and the bag also can be forced off the body.

When a child starts going to school with an ostomy, it’s best to be prepared. Learn about helpful tips to help get your child ready.