This event was held on November 2nd, 2011 at Birmingham Town Hall. Each year, Ostomy Lifestyle organizes the swimwear and underwear fashion show as one of their events to promote positive living with an ostomy. See their site to learn more about the models from the 2011 show as well as the Facebook page.
This is a running list of the Ostomy, IBD, Crohns and Colitis events I’m aware of right now. There are a ton of events planned for 2011, and this is hardly a definitive list. If you know of an event that is not listed below, please use the contact form or add them by submitting a comment below that includes a link to their Events Page. Thank you!
Ostomy Support Groups Team 8th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge (link)
Last year, we posted a list of Ostomy books for 2010. This year, I grabbed a selection of new (or revised) published titles for 2010 to add to your reading list in 2011. Each of these is linked directly to the book on Amazon.
Enjoy!
Learn about Ostomy, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, and IBD
The Ostomy Book – updated 2010 edition (it now comes in both book form and for the Kindle)
Beating the Alternative – A story about a man whose life is turned around when diagnosed with colon cancer.
For Nurses and Health Care Workers
In 2010, the American Nurses Association now recognized wound, ostomy, and continence as a nursing specialty. Of course, there are exams to take. Here are three flashcard study systems for the exams:
2010 has been an amazing year for Ostomy Guide! Our little fledgling blog has grown tremendously and we’ve had the thanks and blessings of many ostomates who were seeking for more resources, support, and community online. We look forward to 2011 and all of the exciting things it will bring.
But for now, I’d like to sum up the year with the year’s most popular Ostomy Guide content:
Number 1 Topic: Traveling
In 2010, we saw many reactions, concerns, and changes in how airport security handles…well, us. This has been by far the most popular topic of the year, as these security policy changes have changed the way all of us perceive air travel; changes that affect those with medical needs the most, including ostomy. Here is some travel-related content on Ostomy Guide:
Number 4: Product Catalogs
This year, we added online catalogs for Hollister, ConvaTec, and Coloplast to first help individuals locate the right supplies in the wide spectrum of Ostomy products, and secondly to help identify their compatibility, product codes, and HCPCS numbers. Since we don’t list prices or sell items on Ostomy Guide, we’ve linked relevant products to the Ostomy Guide sponsor, STL Medical Supply, so you can get more detailed descriptions, prices, and product reviews from individuals who have used them. Here are links to each of these product guides:
Yesterday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved of a solution to help passengers with medical conditions such as Ostomy discreetly inform staff of their condition to avoid any potential communication issues.
These cards do not discriminate from getting screened or not; they are simply to explain your medical condition before any pat-down or screening takes place so you don’t have to shout it out loud across the room, or, not say anything and risk embarassment like this bladder cancer survivor with Urostomy.
These cards merely state that you have a medical condition that may affect the screening:
“Notification Card: I have the following health condition, disability, or medical device that may affect my screening: (Write-in). I understand that presenting this card does not exempt me from screening.”
The back of the card further reinforces that, if asked, you’re going to have to submit to a screening before you can fly:
“TSA Respects the privacy concerns of all members of the traveling public. This card allows you to describe your health condition, disability, or medical device to the TSA officer in a discreet manner. Alternate procedures which provide an equivilent level of security screening are available and can be done in private. Presenting this card does not exempt you from screening.”
Will these cards do much to help the problem? Some argue that TSA was not listening to travelers in the first place, nor are TSA familiar enough with the potential health conditions and appliances of the travlers they are searching, nor are many of our TSA agents all familiar with the use of these cards. (This is 2010, we’ve got e-mail and blogs, does the U.S. government send the memos out to anyone who works for them?)
Others believe this is a positive step towards a solution that balances both our needs for airline security and our civil liberties.
If you or a loved one has a health condition or a medical device and is asked for either a pat-down or a screening, it is in your best interest to keep one of these cards handy in your pocket when going through the airport to (hopefully) alleviate the potential problems.
The temperature and climate of the region you live in can have a game-changing affect on how you wear your ostomy appliances. Especially useful for traveling to new climates, or for those who live in temperate zones with extreme temperatures each season, an ostomate has to adapt to these new conditions to keep a consistent wear time and maintain the reliability of their ostomy appliances.
Here are some tips for managing your ostomy in warm and cold temperatures. (See sources/references at the bottom for more information on managing an ostomy.)
Hot Weather
Long, hot summer days might be great for barbecues and being outdoors, but can be a real nuisance for ostomates. Hot temperatures decrease the wear times by causing skin barriers to break down faster and excess moisture on the skin.
Here are some considerations for managing a stoma in hot climates:
1) Perspiration caused by heat gets between the skin and the barrier, which can cause adhesives to break down. If this is a problem with your adhesive, talk with your nurse and seek out something stronger and more reliable. You can also try an antiperspirant or powder around the ostomy location to keep from perspiration from building up.
2) If you have trouble with ostomy appliance leaks because of moisture, you can also try stoma paste or Eakin seals to create a stronger, more reliable seal.
4) Avoid using any Karaya rubber-based ostomy wafers in high heat conditions. This rubber material is soft and conformable, but in hot conditions it can break down and even melt. It’s best to use a synthetic wafer which tends to have a higher heat threshold.
5) The skin is more susceptible to breakdown when it is hot and moist. his includes the area where the ostomy appliance sits, which can form rashes because of the friction of the pouch against the skin combined with heat. An ostomy pouch cover can be work to soften this, and is also recommended for a more comfortable wear. You can typically find ostomy pouch covers in medical supply stores.
6) Due to sweating, it is especially important for Ostomates to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.
7) Ostomates who exercise and are more active in the summer months will likely want to keep a variety of pouches, including ostomy mini-pouches and stronger, waterproof adhesives that won’t breakdown if you’re running or swimming. You may also prefer to use a Waterproof tape or elastic ostomy belt with a two-piece system to increase wear time and confidence.
Winter and Cold Weather
There is indeed more concern over heat and its affects on ostomy appliances than cold. Colder climates are actually far more ideal than excessively hot temperatures when it comes to ostomy appliances, but dry air can sometimes be an issue to cause or affect the skin, causing dryness and irritation.
A dry skin surface is actually the best condition for applying adhesives and ostomy appliances, but excessive dryness on any part of the skin (especially parts covered with adhesives and appliances…) are more susceptible to irritation.
A solution for dry air may be to try a low-cost humidifier indoors to increase the moisture in the air. Use moderation in how much humidity you increase indoors, however, as excess moisture can cause adhesives to loosen, and can also cause issues with mold in the home.
How much humidity is good? Sticking within a range of 30-50% relative humidity (measured with a hygrometer) is a good range to keep skin from getting too dry without overwhelming you or your home.
Do you have more Ostomy tips for ostomy pouches and different climate conditions? Have you dealt with climate conditions that changed the way you think and wear your ostomy appliances? Leave your comments below!
A lot of ostomy care has moved away from highly specialized staff and hospitals to non-specialized clinicians and, sometimes, home care settings. Because of this, it has become increasingly more necessary to set standards for Ostomy care where a patient’s safety and quality of life can be assured.
Enter the Ostomy Algorithm, a set of 11 assessments for non-specialist clinicians to identify the type of ostomy and to optimize care for their patients.
Recently published in the journal Ostomy Wound Management, new quantitative and qualitative results validate the new standardized algorithm for Ostomy care, making it the first guideline for ostomy care management to go through content validation.
The algorithm was developed by an expert panel of WOCN clinicians along with ConvaTec, a manufacturer and provider of Ostomy supplies and innovative technologies in the field. Part of this algorithm includes one of ConvaTec’s new medical tools for health care professionals, known as the SACS Instrument, allowing clinicians to assess and classify peristomal skin lesions as well as track their progress. (Peristomal lesions are a complication facing many ostomates.)
The study validation consisted of 166 ostomy care experts who were asked to quantify the validity of the Ostomy Algorithm’s components on a 4 point grading scale.
Overall, individual scores ranged from 3.59 – 3.91 and an overall validity index of .95 out of 1.0.
These results are well-received; while further refinements are made, it demonstrates the potential for a standardized, evidence-based method for improved Ostomy care that benefits both health care professionals and patients alike.
My attention was drawn to a a story about a young gal named Misty Blue. Misty has dealt with numerous hardships in her life, including Ostomy. The videos below are her story, told by Misty herself, about being born with a major birth defect, losing her mother while very young, living in foster care, marriage and her life in nursing. Her story is inspiring.
Misty was highlighted on Great Comebacks in 2009 as an award recipient.
The videos below were originally recorded for an international conference in 2009 and has since has been viewed in over 8 countries. And now, I’ll let Misty speak for herself!
Note: A big THANK YOU to Thomas Exler for contacting Ostomy Guide with this amazing story! If you have a group or know a group that would like to see the “My Name is Misty Blue” video presentation, please fill out our contact form so I can get you in touch with Thomas. He can prepare a DVD copy for you or make arrangements for Misty to possibly come speak.
Great Comebacks, sponsored by ostomy supplier Convatec, announced their regional award recipients in mid-October.
If you don’t know already, Great Comebacks is a recognition for the achievements of individuals overcoming serious intestinal diseases, cancer, and other health conditions leading to ostomy surgery. The chairman of Great Comebacks is former San Diego place-kicker and Ulcerative Colitis patient Rolf Benirschke.
Great comebacks also participates and partners with many related groups including the United Ostomy Associations of America, Crohns & Colitis Foundation (CCFA), Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS) and several others.
Here are links to the regional winners, for each of their biographies on the Great Comebacks site:
This recognition, announced in October 2010, will also honor these four folks on June 4th, 2011 as one is chosen for the National Award at the 43rd WOCN (Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses) Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Let’s hope their stories may help serve as awareness, inspiration and encouragement for those who are facing Ostomy surgery!
ConvaTec is an ostomy supplier providing numerous lines of pouches, wafers, and appliances to improve the quality of life of ostomy patients. See the Ostomy Guide ConvaTec Product Catalog for a list of products and associated codes, including the popular Convatec Stomahesive paste.
Let’s discuss about common ostomy and stoma complications faced by Ostomates.
1) Hernia – Since ostomy surgery affects the abdominal wall, hernias are a common concern among ostomates; hernias occur when the muscles in the abdommen detach or tear and portions of the intestine protrude through these tears in muscle tissue; the skin bulges out and the stoma may also jut out further from the body. Unfortunately, when hernias arise, they’re more likely to be persistent, even for those who have undergone surgery. Hernias can make pouching difficult since the bulge will change in size and shape with standing/sitting/laying down.
It’s best to take the precautions to prevent them from occurring when possible. Talk with a doctor about any physical activity/scenarios you should avoid. There are many reasons claimed why hernias appear so frequently with Ostomy patients; most seem to form within the first 2 years of stoma surgery.
2) Prolapse – A prolapse is when the bowel protrudes through the stoma opening at abnormal lengths. They can vary in length and if untreated are susceptible to infections trauma. A prolapsed stoma can make maintaining the ostomy and pouching increasingly more difficult and extreme cases can lead to blood constriction, which will deteriorate the prolapsed bowel. A prolapsed stoma should be managed with suitable ostomy supplies large enough to accommodate the stoma to prevent further damage. The stoma should be inspected by a doctor to ensure there’s no blockage of output or blood that could result in constipation or abnormal tissue.
Prolapse is typically the result of ostomy surgery and are usually caused by an enlarged opening in the abdominal wall. It’s most common in certain types of temporary Ostomy surgeries. However, prolapsed tissue should be watched carefully, and it is recommended to use transparent pouching to visualize the stoma on a regular basis.
3) Retracted Stomas – A normal stoma has a slight protrusion from the skin level; this allows it to fit with ostomy appliances and the skin is protected from stoma output. Retraction is when the stoma is flush or below skin level. Sometimes the stoma may protrude when standing but disappear in the skin when sitting. Retraction is relatively common, with about 10 – 24% of stoma patients experiencing retraction. It’s also more common with ileostomy than colostomy and tends to affect heavier (or obese) patients more frequently.
Retracted stomas can cause problems with leaking with standard pouching systems. A retracted stoma is far more prone to leaks since the stoma outputs its contents directly to the skin. This can compromise the adhesives on barriers and cause skin irritation if not cleaned regularly. However, there are solutions to help prevent leakage and keep the skin clean and the barrier safe:
Convex Barriers/Wafers – The curved shape of the barrier helps the stoma protrude enough to keep the contents from leaking under the barrier.
Ostomy Belt – Helps support the barrier and the pouching system to prevent leaks by supporting the appliance around the waist.
Adhesives – Some barrier adhesives provide an extra tackiness that is far more waterproof; these adhesives can help prevent the skin and wafer to be compromised by leaks.
In extreme cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to fashion a new stoma through the skin.
3)Blockages – Blockages are most common among those with ileostomy. They are caused by food and contents of the bowel, and they’re usually noticed quickly with cramps combined with no stoma output. Swelling may also occur. Certain foods may cause blockages; see our post on Ostomy and Diet/Nutrition and its resources to learn more about foods.
It is suggested to try a warm bath and drinking warm fliuds to relax the muscles and allow the blockage to pass through. A doctor should be consulted if the blockage is not passed within 24 hours.
4) Peristomal Irritations/Infections – The integrity of the skin surrounding a stoma is under constant stress by adhesives, pouching appliances, and bowel fluids. It requires careful wear and cleaning to ensure the skin stays dry, clean, and safe from inflammation and irritation. If left untreated for too long, these can develop into nasty infections that, in serious cases, can lead to suffering that is often preventable by using the right appliances, adhesives, protective skin creams and cleaners.
The best defense against skin irritations and infections is to know what products you need to prevent them and using them correctly. The correct ostomy supplies for your lifestyle makes a big difference in your quality of care. Talk with your nurse/doctor and check the fantastic ostomy resources online to find more information on the correct use of appliances and to discover the products that have worked well for others.
Ostomy Guide sponsor STLMedical.com now accepts Product Reviews for all Ostomy supplies. Reviews are presented below each product. So if you’re an experienced ostomate with comments, suggestions, and tips on using your ostomy supplies, submitting a product review helps others make informed decisions and find the best supplies they need.
From now through December 31st, 2010, you can get $5 off of a purchase of $25 or more on STLMedical.com Use promo code IREVIEWEDAPRODUCT for your ostomy supply purchase to get the discount.
Sources & Additional Resources:
Fecal & Urinary Diversions: Management Principles By Janice Colwell, Margaret T. Goldberg, Jane Carmel
