When should I be worried about my stoma?

Signs of Skin Problems Around a Stoma
There is a pus-like discharge. The skin color suddenly changes. The skin is irritated by the stoma appliance, causing redness, chafing, or a raw or "burned" appearance. There is ongoing pain or an intense burning sensation.
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What are the three major problems associated with having a stoma?

Overcoming common stoma problems
  • Leakage. Leakage is a big concern for many people with a stoma. Read more information about leakage and find out how to prevent leakage. ...
  • Pancaking. Pancaking is a problem for many people with a stoma. ...
  • Bleeding. Bleeding when you wipe your stoma is common and nothing to be alarmed about.
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When should you seek medical attention for a stoma?

Call your provider if: Your stoma is swollen and is more than a 1/2 inch (1 cm) larger than normal. Your stoma is pulling in, below the skin level. Your stoma is bleeding more than normal.
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What problems should you watch out for with a stoma?

Some of the Most Common Stoma Problems
  • Leaks: Leaks can occur for a number of reasons. ...
  • Skin irritation/sore skin: Looking after your skin is the most important part of caring for your stoma. ...
  • Tips: Ensure your template is fitting well. ...
  • Diarrohea/Loose stools: ...
  • Ballooning: ...
  • Hernias: ...
  • Prolapse: ...
  • Granulomas:
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What does infected stoma look like?

When the skin becomes infected it can start to look inflamed and the infection tends to cause some swelling around your stoma. The skin colour often changes from a healthy pink/reddish colour, to pale, bluish purple or even black. If there is any discharge of blood or pus this is often a definitive sign of infection.
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How to Change an Ostomy Bag



How do you know if something is wrong with your stoma?

Recap. Call your doctor immediately if the skin surrounding the stoma changes colors, develops sores or chafing, or shows signs of infection (including increasing redness, pain, swelling, heat, and a pus-like discharge).
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What are the symptoms of a blocked stoma?

These are signs of stoma or bowel blockage, in approximate order of seriousness:
  • Continual spurts of very watery stool.
  • Stool may have a strong odor.
  • The swollen skin around the stoma.
  • Sudden abdominal pain.
  • Bloated, swollen abdomen.
  • The abdominal area feels hard to the touch.
  • Stool output stops.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
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How do you know if you have a hernia around your stoma?

A stoma hernia resembles a bulge or a lump. Many people describe it a looking like a “golf ball” or a “grapefruit” behind their stoma. Having a hernia can cause your stoma to look more pronounced and potentially change shape, it may also appear larger or flatter than it did before the hernia.
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What does a retracted stoma look like?

A retracted stoma is where the stoma no longer lies on the abdominal wall, but appears sunken or in a dip. This type of stoma is relatively common, and can pose occasional challenges. Leakage, sore skin and difficulties with appliance management sometimes result from having a retracted stoma.
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What is the life expectancy of someone with a colostomy bag?

The studies revealed the average age of a person with a colostomy to be 70.6 years, an ileostomy 67.8 years, and a urostomy 66.6 years.
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What does stoma necrosis look like?

What does stoma necrosis look like? The stoma can appear dark in colour, varying from maroon to black. As the tissues deteriorate further they can appear grey in colour. It is often soft and flaccid and can feel cool or cold to the touch.
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Is stoma prolapse an emergency?

A prolapse of the stoma can be quite alarming if it happens to you! Try not to panic, it is not life threatening. The good news is the majority of prolapses can be treated without surgery. It is a common late complication following stoma formation.
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What emergency situations concerning an ostomy stoma should a patient seek medical attention?

If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, call your ostomy care nurse if you notice:
  • Skin irritation.
  • Recurrent leaks under your pouching system or skin barrier.
  • Excessive bleeding of your stoma.
  • Blood in your stool.
  • A bulge in the skin around your stoma.
  • Persistent diarrhea.
  • Diarrhea with pain and/or vomiting.
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Is it normal for a stoma to retract?

Stoma Retraction

It is one of the most common reasons for reoperation. Stoma retraction has been reported to occur in 1 to 6% of cases after stoma creation. It usually arises from failure to mobilize the bowel adequately.
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How far should a stoma stick out?

Colostomies should typically protrude 1.5 to 2.5 cm and stomas of the small bowel should evert 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Stomas that do not evert at least 1 cm above the skin surface 48 hours after surgery have a 35% chance of causing problems.
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What should you avoid with a stoma?

The following foods are known to increase the risk of food blockages, so extra care should be taken:
  • Nuts.
  • Coconut.
  • Celery.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Sweetcorn.
  • Raw fruit skins.
  • Bean sprouts and bamboo shoots.
  • Dried fruit such as currants and raisins.
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Can a stoma close up on its own?

Intestinal loop stoma is a common surgical procedure performed for various benign and malignant abdominal problems, but it rarely undergoes spontaneous closure, without surgical intervention.
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What a healthy stoma look like?

A healthy stoma is pinkish-red and moist. Your stoma should stick out slightly from your skin. It is normal to see a little mucus. Spots of blood or a small amount of bleeding from your stoma is normal.
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Can stoma paste touch the stoma?

Adapt paste will not harm your stoma or cause it to stop draining. As you press your skin barrier into place you may see the paste filling in the area around the stoma. Some people find the paste performs better if it is allowed to sit for a short time before it is applied to the skin.
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Why is my stomach swollen around my stoma?

The term parastomal hernia is used to describe a bulge or swelling on or around your stoma. Try not to lift anything heavy within first 6-8 weeks following surgery. If you intend to do any strenuous work when you have fully recovered from your surgery, you should wear a support belt to protect the abdominal muscles.
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Why is my stoma bulging?

At times the stoma itself can appear swollen. It may be worth checking you are not constipated or have a blockage. On the other-hand it can shrink and become tight, if this happens, try to increase the amount of fluids you are drinking to ensure you have regular bowel movement.
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Why is there a bulge around my stoma?

A parastomal hernia occurs when the intestines press outward near a stoma, the hole created for a colostomy or ileostomy appliance. This causes a bulge under the skin. It can also cause pain and bothersome leakage. Parastomal hernias are the most common complication of ostomy surgery.
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How do you unclog a stoma?

Try several different body positions, such as a knee-chest position, or lie on the side of your stoma with knees bent, as it might help move the blockage forward. Massage the abdominal area and the area around your stoma. Most food blockages occur just below the stoma and this may help dislodge the blockage.
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When should you go to the hospital for a bowel obstruction?

If the intestine is completely blocked, it is a medical emergency needing immediate attention. Symptoms of an intestinal blockage include severe belly pain or cramping, vomiting, not being able to pass stool or gas, and other signs of belly distress.
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What happens when a stoma stops working?

Sometimes the ileostomy does not function for short periods of time after surgery. This is not usually a problem, but if your stoma is not active for more than 6 hours and you experience cramps or nausea, you may have an obstruction. If you think you may have an obstruction, contact your GP or stoma nurse for advice.
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