About
Colon, which is a four to six feet long large intestine, is the last segment of the GI tract. The primary job of this segment is to absorb any remaining water from the stool and return it to the body. Generally, the stool has a high content of digestive enzymes when it enters the colon. So, the colon also has to extract those enzymes from the stool and use them for the benefit of the body.
The colon, rectum, or anus could stop functioning properly due to an illness, injury, or simply because your colon needs to rest. That’s when it becomes necessary for the body to use an alternative pathway to eliminate feces. This alternative pathway is a colostomy. A colostomy consists of an intestinal diversion that redirects stool to an opening in the abdominal wall. This opening is known as a stoma. This pathway allows stool and gas to leave the body. A colostomy can be permanent or temporary.
How colostomy changes your life?
You will get the necessary information regarding adapting to life with a colostomy during your stay in the hospital. A colostomy indeed makes it crucial for you to modify your lifestyle, but with proper information and guidance, all this can be quite manageable.
Here is what you need to consider adapting to life with a colostomy.
You will get the necessary information regarding adapting to life with a colostomy during your stay in the hospital. A colostomy indeed makes it crucial for you to modify your lifestyle, but with proper information and guidance, all this can be quite manageable.
Here is what you need to consider adapting to life with a colostomy.
- First, you are going to have to monitor your medication. Make sure that those are not causing constipation or diarrhea.
- You will need to pay specific attention to your diet. Avoid eating foods that can cause gas. You can seek help from a dietician to choose a well-balanced diet that will help you steer clear from constipation and diarrhea.
- Contrary to what you may have been thinking, a colostomy is not the end of your life. Modern-day ostomy supplies lie flat under the clothes to remain hidden. You can get back to what you have been doing in your healthy state before surgery soon after surgery. You can go back to your workplace, start fitness training, and interact with your social circle without having to worry about your colostomy bag.