Thursday, June 15, 2017

The Difference Between Regular And Extended Wear Barriers

There are many types of ostomy skin barriers available in the market. Each of these types fulfills a particular set of requirements, which means that it is crucial for a person with an ostomy to pay attention to which type of ostomy barriers is the most appropriate one. Factors that you should consider while buying an ostomy skin barrier or flange may include the suitability of the barrier, desired frequency of ostomy appliance changes, characteristics of the bodily waste passing through your stoma, and cost.

 

An ostomy barrier should:

  • Protect your peristomal skin from the stomal output
  • Ensure a secure seal
  • Be gentle to your skin during its removal
  • Be cost-effective

Different materials are used in the making of skin barriers. These materials may include karaya, pectin, and other synthetic materials. The types of adhesives differ based on formulations used in the development of those adhesives. Despite these differences, the primary function of each of the skin barrier is the same.

 

Generally, the regular wear barriers do not resist much to the liquid stool and urine. With such skin barriers, you will have to expect a shorter wear time. These barriers melt when they come in contact with the stool or urine. If left there for an extended period, these barriers fail to restrict the stool or urine from coming in contact with the peristomal skin. It can lead to skin irritation and other complications.

Extended wear barriers, on the other hand, provide great resistance to the liquid stool and urine. Using these barriers, you can expect a longer wear time. Some types of skin barriers absorb moisture from the stool, which can lead to the puffing of these barriers around the stoma. This swelling of the skin barrier doesn’t affect the seal, which means that you can still expect these barriers to last longer than regular flanges. If your stoma produces liquid stool, you can consider using extended wear barriers.

 

Generally, you may want to select an extended wear barrier most of the time. These barriers may prove to be more expensive in terms of the cost at the time of purchase, but the extended wear time evens out the cost very well. On the other hand, you may have to purchase more regular wear barriers to fulfill your requirements. The fact of the matter is that the regular wear barriers may prove to be more expensive than extended wear barriers. If your stool is firm or has a thick consistency, you may want to go for the regular wear barrier because it would not have to handle excessive moisture from the stool.

Monday, June 12, 2017

What Is A Prolapsed Stoma?

A prolapsed stoma telescopes out through itself to cause abnormal tightening. It can be distressful to look at a prolapsed stoma. If you have this stoma, you are going to have to bring some change in your stoma care regimen.

Prolapsing of stoma happens more in people with colostomies than people with ileostomies, and it is more frequent in loop colostomies. It further narrows down to colostomies in the transverse colon.

The exact reasons for the prolapsing of a stoma are unknown, but some factors seem to contribute to the development of a prolapsed stoma. Those factors are:

  • Poor abdominal muscle tone
  • Obesity or weight gain
  • Pregnancy
  • The surgical technique during the creation of the stoma
  • Increased pressure within the abdomen

Prolapsing may influence the way you care for your stoma. In some cases, the prolapse may be positional – it could be present or absent depending on your body posture while you sit, stand, or lie down. You may see the prolapse when you stand, but the stoma may return to its usual size when you lie down. This characteristic of the prolapsed stoma is known as spontaneous reduction.

A prolapsed stoma might not receive adequate blood supply, which may cause a change in the color or warmth of the stoma. Changes occurring in a prolapsed stoma as a result of poor blood supply may include small ulceration on the surface and more significant changes in the color or temperature. The prolapsing can also result in a loss of the stoma function. It might start showing signs of obstruction. In that case, you may need to consult your doctor immediately.

You may need to consider changes to your routine care when you have a prolapsed stoma. Aside from monitoring the color, temperature, and function of the stoma, you may need to consider changes to the ostomy pouching system that you use. With a larger prolapse, you may need to use a pouch that is large enough to accommodate both your stoma and the volume of the stomal output. You may need to empty or change your pouch more often. You may also need to have an alternate flange that will not cause trauma to your stoma.

In some cases, the prolapsed stoma can be very mobile (i.e. it slides in and out with the change in the body posture). It can raise a risk of lacerations developing on the stoma. These lacerations are not painful, but they can still cause bleeding of the stoma. You may want to adjust the opening of your flange to avoid these lacerations. You can do it by measuring the stoma when it is at its largest. You may also consider using a moldable flange that allows its opening to adjust to the changing size of the stoma.