Glossary O
Odour
Most stoma pouches/bags have a filter which incorporates a deodorizer, so odour shouldn't be a problem. However, if you are not happy with the filter on your current pouch/bag, there are other bags made by different manufacturers that you could try.
Several manufacturers and suppliers of stoma care appliances produce drops or granules designed to neutralise any odour. These can be introduced into a clean bag before you put it on.
Odour could mean leakage or the filter may have come into contact with the content of the bag making the deodoriser ineffective. If so change your appliance as soon as possible.
Some ostomates find that drinking tomato juice or buttermilk or eating natural yoghurt or parsely helps to control odour. Others take peppermint capsules.
One piece stoma pouch/bag
One piece stoma pouches/bags have a collection pouch, seal and outer adhesive ring in one integral unit. They are usually available in a variety of pre-cut hole sizes and a starter hole size which may be trimmed with scissors to fit irregular shaped stomas.
Open days organised by stoma care nurses
Stoma care open days are organised by nurses working within the NHS, products and services from manufacturers and suppliers are represented. For a complete list of forthcoming events go to Open Days in Get involved.
Ostomy
An ostomy is a surgically created opening connecting an internal organ to the surface of the body. Different kinds of ostomies are named for the organ involved. The most common types of ostomies in intestinal surgery are an "ileostomy" (connecting the ileal part of the small intestine to the abdominal wall) and a "colostomy" (connecting the colon, or, large intestine to the abdominal wall).
An ostomy may be temporary or permanent. A temporary ostomy may be required if the intestinal tract can't be properly prepared for surgery because of blockage by disease or scar tissue. A temporary ostomy may also be created to allow inflammation or an operative site to heal without contamination by stool. Temporary ostomies can usually be reversed with minimal or no loss of intestinal function.
A permanent ostomy may be required when disease, or its treatment, impairs normal intestinal function, or when the muscles that control elimination do not work properly or require removal. The most common causes of these conditions are low rectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Treating diseases of the digestive or urinary systems involves removing all or part of your small intestine, colon, rectum or bladder. In these cases, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body, a surgically created opening in the body - an ostomy - allows the discharge of body wastes. The actual end of the ureter or small or large bowel that can be seen protruding through the abdominal wall is called a stoma.