Everything You Need To Know About Ileostomy

For those of you that do not know, an ileostomy is an ostomy type that involves a surgical opening. It provides the end of your small intestine with a route for releasing stool. Generally, an ileostomy is created by a surgeon to remove a part of your rectum and colon. An external pouch appliance has to be worn by people who have an ileostomy in order for their stool to be collected. Education and support are integral for managing the ileostomy. It helps maintain your health and skin.

What Is Ileostomy?

In the simplest of words, an ileostomy is needed for allowing the stool to exit your body when your intestines are very injured, inflamed, or damaged. As you might already know, ostomy has different types. The term “ileum” is what gets ileostomy its name. It is the end of your small intestine. Thus, the surgeon has to make an opening through the abdominal wall for providing an outlet so that stool can leave your body. A portion of your large intestine gets connected to the abdominal wall opening during a colostomy.

When a person gets a colostomy, their stool can either be soft or firm. On the other hand, someone who has an ileostomy would have watery and loose stool. The ileostomy pouch will rest on the lower abdomen. The part of the abdomen where the pouch is placed depends on the type of colostomy you get. It is important that you understand that an ileostomy is a temporary solution. But, if the colon or rectum has undergone severe damage or disease, the doctor would need to remove the damaged area and perform a permanent ileostomy.

Who Needs An Ileostomy?

When a person has any of the following, they would require ileostomy.

• Crohn’s Disease
• Cancer
• Ulcerative colitis
• FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)

Anyone who has an ileostomy has to wear a pouch that collects their stool. It could have one to two components. One-piece pouches stick to your stoma and have a sticky back, whereas, two-piece pouches fit the stoma and have a sticky ring. It is crucial for someone who has an ileostomy to wear the pouch at all times for collecting their stool. Now, you need to understand that the small intestine moves the stool through your body continuously.

How You Can Prepare For Ileostomy?

There is no denying that an ileostomy will change your life for good. It would help ensure that you experience fewer bowel damage symptoms. However, you will need to ensure regular care to look after the ileostomy. You must be prepared for how it would affect you. It is important that you consider your relationships, sexual health, physical activity, and nutrition. Your doctor will show you different options and advise you on which one to get. Once the surgery is performed, you will have to stay at the hospital.

Conclusion

Now that you know everything there is to know about an ileostomy, you will be able to take on the change.