Ileostomy Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An ileostomy is an opening that is made in the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) with surgery. After the opening is made, the end of the ileum is brought to the surface of the abdomen. The stool drains from the ileum to the outside of the body through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma. The stoma is usually located on the lower right side of the abdomen. The stool has a liquid to soft consistency and drains into a flat, changeable, watertight bag or pouch. The pouch is attached to the skin with an adhesive (substance that seals the pouch to the skin). An ileostomy is sometimes needed for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cancer, trauma or other diseases. With an ileostomy, the colon and rectum are usually removed and cannot be used again. However, temporary ileostomies are sometimes done to allow the colon to rest and heal for a period of time.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Your stool passes through your intestine more quickly than before you had your ileostomy. So, some medicines are not absorbed by your intestine. Call your caregiver if you see pills in your ostomy pouch or stool. Your caregiver may order a different type of medicine that can be better absorbed by your intestines.
  
  
• You should not use laxatives because your stool already has a liquid to soft consistency. Tell your caregiver that you have an ileostomy so that laxatives will not be ordered before a test or surgery.

Follow-up visit information:

Keep all appointments. Write down questions you have about having an ileostomy. This will help you to remember to ask these questions during your next visit. Your stoma may change over time depending on things like gaining or losing weight. Caregivers will measure and check your stoma and ostomy. Bring your ostomy equipment with you to your appointments and anytime you have to go to the hospital.

How do I care for the skin around my stoma?

A good time to check your stoma and the skin around it is when you change your pouch. The stoma is always pink or red and moist (wet) looking. Because your stoma has many small blood vessels, it may bleed when it is cleaned and wiped. You should not worry about a little bleeding unless the bleeding does not stop. As swelling goes away, your stoma size should get smaller and should be its normal size in about eight weeks.

• The part of your ileostomy pouch that sticks to your abdomen is called a skin barrier. It is important that the skin barrier opening for your stoma fit closely (not closer than one-eighth of an inch) up to the stoma. Use the stoma-measuring guide that comes with your ileostomy supplies to check the size of your stoma. As your stoma gets smaller, you will also want to cut the skin barrier opening smaller. Stool can leak through the opening onto your skin if the opening is too large. The stool may then cause your skin to be red and irritated.
  
  
• Red skin may also mean that the skin barrier was left on too long. It is always important to learn why the skin around your stoma is red or irritated. Talk to your caregiver about what to do about red and irritated skin.

How do I change my pouch?

The amount of time that your pouch stays tightly on your abdomen depends on many things. These include the size and shape of your stoma, the shape of your abdomen, and the type of pouch you use. Your caregiver will tell you how often to change your ileostomy pouch. However, if you think your pouch may be leaking, change it right away. Your caregiver will give you specific instructions on how to change your ileostomy pouch. The following is general information about how to change your pouch:

• Empty the contents of the pouch into the toilet. Gently remove the pouch by pushing the skin down and away from the adhesive skin barrier with one hand. With the other hand, pull the pouch up and away from the stoma.
  
  
• Clean the skin around the stoma with warm water. You may also use soap but do not use soaps that have oil or perfumes. Pat your skin dry.
  
  
• Use a pouch that has an opening that is one-eighth of an inch larger than the stoma on each side.
  
  
• Use skin protection products if you have irritated skin around the stoma. The skin can be treated with these products to protect your skin and create a dry surface.
  
  
• Center the pouch over the stoma and press it firmly into place on clean, dry skin. It may be helpful to hold your hand over the newly applied pouch for 30 seconds. The warmth of your hand can help to mold the adhesive skin barrier into place.
  
  
• Place the old pouch in another plastic bag to be thrown away if the pouch is disposable. If you use a reusable pouch, talk to your caregiver about how to clean the reusable pouch.

How do I empty my pouch?

• You will have to empty your pouch about every four to six hours. Empty the pouch when it is one-third full. Do not wait until the pouch is completely full because this could put pressure on the seal and cause a leak. The pouch may also detach, causing all of the pouch contents to spill.
  
  
• Place toilet paper into the toilet to reduce splash back and noise.
  
  
• Take the end of the pouch and hold it up. Remove the clamp.
  
  
• Make a cuff at the end of the pouch to keep it from getting soiled.
  
  
• Drain the pouch by squeezing the pouch contents into the toilet.
  
  
• Clean the cuffed end of the pouch with toilet paper or a moist paper towel. Make sure and keep the end of the pouch clean.
  
  
• Undo the cuff at the end of the pouch. Replace the clamp or close the end of the pouch according to your caregiver's instructions.

What are some problems that may happen with an ileostomy stoma?

• Skin problems: Your skin may become irritated if you do not have a tight seal around your stoma and your stool touches your skin. Your skin may become very red, sore and weeping (always wet). Keep a watertight seal around your stoma to prevent skin problems. Keeping the skin around your stoma clean and dry will also help prevent skin problems.
  
  
• Food blockage: Sometimes food blocks the stoma. These blockages are often caused by certain foods such as corn, nuts, seeds, and fruit and vegetable peelings. Food blockages may be complete or partial. A complete blockage is one in which there is no output for more than six hours. A partial blockage is one in which some liquids pass through the stoma. Symptoms of a food blockage include cramping pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
  
  
• Dehydration: You may become dehydrated (lose too much water from your body) during certain times because you lose extra liquids through your stoma. The risk of dehydration is highest during periods when the output of your stool is high such as with diarrhea or vomiting. You may also become dehydrated when you do not drink enough liquids during the day. Some signs of dehydration are dry mouth, low urine output than normal, dizziness, and increased thirst. You will need to drink extra liquids if you have dehydration. Ask your caregiver about liquids that contain electrolytes (sodium and potassium).
  
  
• Diarrhea: Persons with ileostomies may get diarrhea that is caused by the flu, certain medicines or a partial food blockage. The symptoms of diarrhea usually include a large amount of watery stool with cramps. When you have diarrhea, your intestines may not absorb enough fluids and electrolytes. You will need to drink extra liquids during periods of diarrhea. Ask your caregiver about liquids that contain electrolytes.
  
  
• Stoma retraction: Retraction happens when the height of the stoma goes down to the skin level or below the skin level. Retraction may happen soon after surgery because the colon does not become active soon enough. Retraction may also happen because of weight gain. The pouching system must be changed to match the change in stoma shape.
  
  
• Peristomal hernia: Peristomal hernias occur when part of the bowel bulges into the area around the stoma. Hernias are most obvious during times when there is pressure on the abdomen. For example, the hernia may be more obvious when sitting, coughing, or straining. Hernias may make it difficult to create a proper pouch seal or to irrigate. The hernia may be managed with a hernia belt. Changes may also need to be made to the pouching system to create a proper seal. Surgery may also be done in some people.
  
  
• Prolapse: A prolapse means the bowel becomes longer and protrudes out of the stoma and above the abdomen surface. The stomal prolapse may be caused by increased abdominal pressure. Surgery may be done to fix the prolapse in some people.
  
  
• Stenosis: A stenosis is a narrowing or tightening of the stoma at or below the skin level. The stenosis may be mild or severe. A mild stenosis can cause noise as stool and gas is passed. Severe stenosis can cause obstruction (blockage) of stool. If the stoma is mild, a caregiver may enlarge it by stretching it with his finger. If the stenosis is severe, surgery is usually needed.

What types of foods can I eat after an ileostomy?

• You will have to avoid foods that are hard to digest during the first six to eight weeks after your surgery. These foods include tough meats, nuts, seeds, and raw fruits and vegetables. After the first six to eight weeks, you can start eating a regular diet. However, you may still have to limit some foods that are hard to digest such as corn, nuts, seeds, and celery.
  
  
• There may be some foods that you cannot tolerate very well. If a food gives you cramps or diarrhea, do not include that food in your diet. Try the food again in a few weeks. Eat small portions first and then gradually increase your portion sizes.
  
  
• You may want to avoid foods that cause gas and odor. Some foods that may cause gas and odor are vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Other foods include beans, eggs, and fish. You can also reduce gas by eating slowly and not using straws to drink liquids. Foods that may help to control odor and gas in some people are fresh parsley, yogurt and buttermilk.
  
  
• Drink at least 8 to 10 (eight ounce) cups of water each day. Healthy liquids for most people to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink, such as coffee, tea, and soda.

How can an ileostomy fit into my lifestyle?

• Work: You can go back to work when your caregiver says it is OK. You may need special support to prevent a hernia if you work is heavy labor, such as lifting or digging. You may need an ostomy belt over the pouch to keep it in place if you move a lot at your job.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercise is very important. Talk to your caregiver about an exercise program once you feel stronger. Together you can plan a program that works for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and helps keep you healthy. Your body and mind should feel better after exercising. Walking, jogging, bicycling, and swimming are good exercises. Talk with your caregiver before playing contact sports. You may need to wear special protection for your stoma. Empty your pouch before playing sports.
  
  
• Swimming: For swimming, you should always wear your pouch. Empty your pouch before getting into the water if you swim. You may want to put waterproof tape strips over the edges of your skin barrier.
  
  
• Relationships:
  
  
  • You may feel anxious, nervous, or scared when you first start to care for your ileostomy. You may not like the way your body looks. You may feel like you are no longer in control of your body. These are normal feelings. Talk to someone close to you or to your caregiver about these feelings.
    
    
  • Learning to live with an ileostomy may be difficult for both you and your spouse. Together you can find ways to live with this change in your life. It will take time for you to feel better after surgery. If you had an active sex life before ileostomy surgery, it can be the same after surgery. You cannot hurt your stoma by having close body contact. Be sure to empty the pouch before having sex.
  
  
• Traveling: Always carry extra ileostomy supplies and pouches with you when traveling. Take enough supplies for your trip. You may not be able to find what you need while traveling. Contact your local ostomy group or ostomy nurse for help. They may be able to give you a list of ostomy caregivers in the area you are visiting.
  
  
  • If you fly, pack your supplies in your carry-on luggage not your checked suitcase because luggage is sometimes lost or delayed.
    
    
  • If you drive, do not put your supplies in the trunk or glove compartment. This can cause your supplies to get hot, melt and not stick well. Keep your ostomy supplies in the coolest place in the car.

What ostomy supplies do I need?

You will need a pouch, skin paste, and cream to protect your skin. Ask your caregivers what ostomy supplies you need, and how to get them.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• Your skin around the stoma is red and irritated and you do not know what to do.
  
  
• You have continuous nausea and vomiting.
  
  
• You have diarrhea or very watery stool that lasts for more than six hours.
  
  
• You have an unusual odor that lasts longer than a week.
  
  
• Your stoma changes in size or appearance.
  
  
• Your stools are black or bloody.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your ileostomy, medicines, or ileostomy supplies.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your stoma is bleeding and you cannot stop the bleeding.
  
  
• You have had no stools and you have stomach cramps and feel sick.
  
  
• You are too weak to stand up.
  
  
• You have bad abdominal (belly) pain.

Learn more about Ileostomy Care (Aftercare Instructions)