Ostomy Bag vs Colostomy Bag: Know the Difference

In the US, more than 130,000 intestinal stomas are created every year. This procedure becomes necessary in many conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. It is often a life-saving surgery, but so many people report depression and complications after getting an ostomy or colostomy done. To avoid these complications, it’s important to know how to care for your stoma. Home health care agencies like Nurse Next Door McLean specialize in ostomy care services and can match you with the most suitable Registered Nurse (RN). In this article, let’s explore the different types of surgical stomas as well as ostomy bag vs colostomy bag.

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What is an Ostomy Bag?

Before going into details about ostomy bags, you need to first learn about the procedure known as an ostomy. It is a surgical procedure in which a “stoma” or opening is created in the body – usually somewhere along the abdomen. 

That opening might be meant to let out stool, urine, or any other material from your body. An ostomy bag is simply the container that collects whatever is coming out from that opening in the body. 

The word ostomy is an umbrella term covering different types of openings. It could be an ileostomy, which is an opening in the ileum, or a urostomy, an opening in the urinary bladder. The opening in the ileum will obviously let out content (fecal matter) from the ileum or small intestine, but the urostomy will let out urine. 

Are you looking for professional in-home ostomy care? Book a Free Caring Consult with Nurse Next Door McLean today. 

What is a Colostomy Bag?

A colostomy bag is a pouch attached to an opening or stoma created in the colon. That’s where it gets its name from: colon + ostomy = colostomy. This is a type of ostomy, only with a different name based on its location.  

Colostomies are created to make sure fecal matter comes out from that opening and doesn’t go beyond it. Some are temporary, while others are permanent. Temporary ones are intended to let the rectum or even a section of the colon rest while it is healing from the surgery, because fecal matter going through it will inevitably lead to surgical wound infection and poor wound healing. 

This is also the case with gunshot wounds or any other kind of trauma to the colon or rectum – they need to be spared from processing fecal matter so they can heal while the fecal matter is being drawn out from the colostomy. The colostomy bag is simply the pouch connected with the stoma in the colon, collecting that fecal matter.

Ostomy Bag vs Colostomy Bag: Key Differences 

Care and Maintenance Tips 

The choice between ostomy bag vs colostomy bag depends on the type of procedure you underwent. In either case, how well you care for your stoma bag determines whether or not you will face complications. It can affect your quality of life a lot more than you think. Proper ostomy or colostomy care can be life-changing for patients living with them. 

The first and most important tip is that you must not let it get more than one-third full. A light stoma bag is a lot more comfortable to live with. It will even be ignorable at times, and it won’t become a nagging burden on your mind that could ruin your mental health. 

If the pouch is getting loose or giving off a smell, it means you need to change it immediately. Don’t wait for it to get filled up because a loose pouch can leak and put the patient in a lot of distress. It can even cause depression. 

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Consider Nurse Next Door McLean’s In-Home Ostomy Care 

Having to change a colostomy or ostomy pouch can be a less than desirable experience for anyone. That’s why people look for reliable in-home ostomy care services after comparing ostomy bag vs colostomy bag and assessing their needs. 

For the residents of Northern Virginia, Nurse Next Door McLean is a reliable option as we have Registered Nurses (RNs) who can provide compassionate and personalized in-home ostomy care. We have a lot of experience with all kinds of stomas and we’ll make sure your stoma stays complication-free. We’re just one call away if you need in-home ostomy care. Our RNs manage ostomy care at home while considering your privacy, comfort, and quality of life. From emptying, cleaning, or replacing the ostomy pouch to monitoring the skin under it, Nurse Next Door McLean provides comprehensive services. We ensure the ostomy care services are safe and adhere to state and federal guidelines. Schedule a visit today to change your life.