Types of Ostomy and What Is an Ostomy Bag?

Around 1 million Americans live with faecal or urinary diversions. In this surgery, an opening is created in your body for the excretion of waste like stool, urine, or gas. An ostomy can significantly affect your quality of life if you’re not taking care of it properly. It’s important to know about the different types of ostomy. In this article, we’ll also answer questions like: what is an ostomy bag and how do home healthcare agencies like Nurse Next Door Mclean change the life of those living with an ostomy?  

Schedule a visit and improve your quality of life significantly through in-home ostomy care. 

What Is an Ostomy?

An ostomy gives waste a new way to leave your body. You would need it when your digestive or urinary tract isn’t capable of functioning normally.

During an ostomy procedure, a small opening is made on your abdomen. This opening is called a stoma. This opening usually serves as an alternative exit route for bodily material that would otherwise have to go through a damaged organ. 

For example, many people get an ostomy after bowel surgery. 

Adjusting to the new way of living will take time, however, it would not put life on hold. It’s all about learning how to take care of your ostomy in the right and safest way, especially with the support of professional in-home ostomy care providers like Nurse Next Door McLean.

Ostomy Bag vs Colostomy Bag: Know the Difference

Types of Ostomy

There are three types of ostomy. The category under which your ostomy falls depends on the part of your body where the opening or stoma was created. 

Colostomy

A colostomy will move part of your large intestine (colon) to the surface of your belly. You will need it after trauma (which can be accidental or surgical) to your colon or rectum. The stoma provides a way for stool to leave the body and enter an ostomy bag, without going through the affected part of your gut. 

Depending on its placement, stool can either be solid or semi-formed. Some people might only need it temporarily after surgery, while others live with it permanently. 

With an ostomy, many people can eat almost anything, travel, and enjoy their daily life as they would without it. After you adjust to it, you will find that it is just another part of your routine.

Ileostomy

Just the way a colostomy connects your colon to the surface of your belly, an ileostomy brings your ileum or your small intestine to the surface of your body. This would be required if your entire colon or large intestine needs to rest because it’s affected by some surgery or trauma. 

Stool coming from the ileum would be a lot more liquidy and you would need to empty your ostomy bag a lot more frequently. That’s why it is a must for an ileostomy patient to know detailed answers to questions like: What is an ostomy bag? When and how should an ostomy bag be emptied? 

Urostomy

A urostomy is a little different as it allows the body to pass urine rather than stool. This will spare your bladder and let it heal if it has undergone surgery or suffered an injury.

To create this opening, your doctor will still use a small piece of your intestine and link it with your kidneys. The urine will then flow through it continuously into a pouch, which is outside of the body. It may sound complicated, but it is very simple, and very discreet once you get used to it. 

Most people who have a urostomy are able to return to their normal life with today’s advanced ostomy bags. 

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What Is an Ostomy Bag?

An ostomy bag is the small and flexible container that collects your waste through your stoma. It is normally worn under your clothing and is designed to be leakproof, odor-resistant, and discreet. There are various types of ostomy bags. Some are drainable, others are disposable. However, they are all featherweight and comfortable. 

The bag is attached to your skin using a soft adhesive barrier in order to protect your stoma, and to make bag changes easier. Depending on your routine and condition, you could expect to empty it, or change it, anywhere from a few times a day to once every one to three days. 

Ostomy bags have come a long way and are quite remarkable. They are almost invisible under clothing, and allow you to move, exercise, and live normally. It is your ticket back to an independent and comfortable life.

Living With an Ostomy

Life after an ostomy doesn’t need to be difficult. With some consideration to care, proper diet, and the right mindset, most people get back to doing the things they love. You could get back to work, travel, family dinners, various activities, or even sports. 

Get Compassionate Support From Nurse Next Door McLean

A lot of patience, care, and attention are involved in coping with an ostomy, but it doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. The Registered Nurses (RNs) at Nurse Next Door McLean are trained, experienced, and specialize in ostomy care at home. 

They empty, clean, and replace ostomy bags with expertise, watch out for irritation of your skin, and make sure your recovery is on the right path. Nurse Next Door McLean’s caregivers can even educate you about the types of ostomy and answer questions like, “what is an ostomy bag?”

Call Nurse Next Door McLean today for a free consultation and begin your personalized in-home ostomy care.