Ostomy care

Ostomy is not only the treatment of a disease but also the beginning of a new life that comes with a new set of challenges. Living with an ostomy, adhering to the post ostomy care measures, keeping up with your original quality of life, etc. are all the different challenges that an ostomy patient needs to face in their day-to-day lives. Pouching system deodorants are one of the many ingredients necessary to lead a regular, stress-free life post an ostomy. This article throws light on why in-pouch deodorants are needed for the said purpose.

Why do ostomy patients face the challenge of maintaining the quality of life?

Ostomy changes the way of living of an individual; he or she does not have any control over the disposal of the body's waste materials – stool, urine, and gas. The problem that becomes paramount in ostomy cases is that of managing the foul odor. Ignoring the odor problem could sufficiently interfere with both the personal and social life of the patient. Although most new ostomy pouches or bags are manufactured using odor-proof materials, the 'smell' factor still becomes intimidating at times, especially while changing or emptying the pouch!

The standard query of ostomy patients, therefore, concerns ways to manage odor. Detailed research reveals the following methods to control ostomy odor.

Ostomy care instructions

1. Be prompt in emptying the pouch – do it more often than before!

As a thumb rule, the bag should be emptied once it is ½ or even 1/3rd full. It helps manage several things; the pouch does not get too heavy to put pressure on the stoma and the surrounding skin because undue force might loosen the seal of the appliance and cause leakage of both the waste and the foul odor!

2. Avoid some odor-causing foods and beverages

Diet affects the odor of your body waste. Since different foods are digested differently, hence, control your food intake (and the menu too!), this will check the odor of waste materials also. So, what are the FOODS that need to be avoided?

Foods that contain soluble fibers or even sugars like fructose, lactose, and sorbitol are the ones responsible for building up gas within your digestive system and should be carefully avoided. Some foods and beverages that need a special mention, as far as your list of 'eatables to be avoided' is concerned, are:

Apples, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, dairy products (like yogurt, cheese, etc.), beer, soda, etc.

3. Swallowing air should be avoided

Did you know that certain habits could make you take air too? Chewing gums, smoking, drinking carbonated beverages, drinking through straws, are some of the practices that you need to give up. Since you are reading this, start working on this asap; habits are indeed challenging to be changed! Also, this goes without mentioning that eating and drinking too fast makes you swallow air.

Ostomy doedorants

Especially if a patient is a urostomy candidate, he or she is more concerned with the urine odor. They are usually advised to drink more fluids like water or cranberry juice since they help to minimize the foul smell. Certain foods that cause odor like onions, garlic, or less cooked fish could alternatively be avoided too.

If all these measures are not of much help, you can resort to deodorizers. So, what are deodorizers?

These are primarily liquids or gels that are placed in ostomy pouches every time one changes or empties the bag. Alternatively, there could be other in-pouch deodorizers that are either scented or simply designed to fight the odor-causing bacteria. The third variant of deodorizers is internal deodorants. Now, what are internal deodorizers at all? Internal deodorizers are a consumable item that is positively FDA approved! These tablets generally contain compounds like bismuth subgallate that help neutralize odor from body waste!

The last resort is to use room deodorizers or air fresheners that will readily do away with the airborne smell. But an issue remains – they can mostly mask the smell and not eliminate it! The most recommended product to deal with this menace, therefore, continues to be the in-pouch deodorants. They are not only convenient to use; you also do not bother others around you with the sudden bombardment of an aroma!