Hello, and welcome. You're most likely here because you or someone you care about has had an ostomy surgery. You probably have questions or are seeking information to better understand what's involved in living with and taking care of an ostomy. Well, look no further because you're in the right place.
In the United States alone, more than 75,000 people each year undergo surgery whiich results in an ostomy. Despite this, many people continue to live active and heathy lives with their ostomy.
The purpose behind OstomySupport.org is to provide useful information and support for anyone living with an ostomy, and for their family, friends, and loved ones as well. Our hope is that anyone with concerns and/or questions about ostomy surgery or care will find the answers and information they seek. The goal is to provide hope and reassurance that living with an ostomy can still be an active and rewarding experience.
An ostomy refers to the surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of body wastes. A person usually has ostomy surgery to relieve or cure the symptoms of a disease or condition adversely affecring the digestive or urinary tract system. The most common cause requiring ostomy surgery is cancer treatment. Other reasons for an ostomy may inlcude diverticulitis, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung's disease, or physical trauma. In each of these, an ostomy may be the best and safest form of treatment. In certain conditions the ostomy may be temporary and can be reversed at a later date. In the past, surgery for ulcerative colitis required a colostomy. Now, a rectal pouch can usually be created out of the small intestine. Liquid stool is then passed through the rectum 3-6 times a day.
The word ostomy is from the Latin Ostium, meaning "opening" or "mouth." If the opening is created in the small intestine, or ileum, then it's called an Ileostomy. If the opening is made in the large intestine, or colon, then it's called a Colostomy. An opening created in order to divert the passage of urine, is called a Urostomy.
The part of the bowel that is seen on the abdomine is called a stoma. It's the end of the bowel turned inside out. The stoma has no nerve endings, but like tender gum tissue, there may occasionally be some minor bleeding. If you experience stoma bleeding which does not stop, or if there is blood in your stool, you should contact your doctor right away.
