Diversion colitis is a condition that occurs in the disconnected part of the intestinal tract after an ileostomy or colostomy surgery. Just because it mimics the symptoms to some extent doesn’t mean that it should be confused with any kind of IBD. What is diversion colitis? Diversion colitis is the type of inflammation that occurs most commonly in a defunctioned part of the colon. A defunctioned part of the colon is the one that remains in the abdomen, but doesn’t get any fecal material passing through it after ostomy surgery. According to a survey, about 91% of individuals with defunctioned colon develop this condition, although not many people show any symptom. It is usually doctors or surgeons who discover this condition in a person’s colon during an endoscopic exam. The same condition can occur in a person who has had the colon removed but retains the rectum. In that case, the condition is known as diversion proctitis. Symptoms of diversion colitis Most of the individuals with diversion colitis show no symptoms. Some people, however, show some signs that might include pain in the abdomen, bleeding or discharge from the rectum, and tenesmus. Tenesmus is the rectal cramping that makes a person feel like needing to have a bowel movement. Reasons for diversion colitis Most of the doctors believe that diversion colitis happens as a result of a change in the bacterial composition inside the defunctioned part of the colon. A lack of nutrition supply to the living cells of the colon can also contribute to the development of diversion colitis. Treatment for diversion colitis
The most common treatment of diversion colitis is to rejoin the defunctioned part of the colon to the functional section. It means that the stoma reversal is the most popular, perhaps only, way to treat diversion colitis. After rejoining, the colon gets proper blood-flow and an adequate nutrition supply. That is why the stoma reversal sometimes treats diversion colitis almost immediately. If there is no chance for your stoma to be reversed, you may want your surgeon to remove the colon completely. Like we said earlier, not every person with diversion colitis will show symptoms, which means that this problem largely goes painlessly undiagnosed. Leaving this problem untreated can lead to colonic stricture, which refers to the narrowing of intestines in certain sections. It may also lead to the complete failure of the defunctioned colon. In such cases, the stoma reversal might not remain an option for you. What’s more important is to make sure to get your defunctioned colon checked regularly. You may want to talk about it with your doctor or ET.
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The occurrence of issues with the skin around the stoma is a common problem, but considering it a part of life would be a huge mistake. Peristomal skin complications are not only painful but they can also cause a lack of adhesion between the skin barrier and the peristomal skin. It can cause the leakage of stool beneath the skin barrier, making the condition of the skin worse. How should be the peristomal skin? There is so much on the web regarding how the stoma should look like. Unfortunately, there is not much information to guide ostomates to check the health of their peristomal skin. Generally, the peristomal skin should be like the rest of the skin on the abdomen. It means that this part of the skin should be smooth, dry, and clean. How to tell if your peristomal skin has an infection If you notice any change in your peristomal skin area, you should visit a healthcare professional as soon as you can. This way, your skin will be checked for any infections. The healthcare professional will suggest products that will treat your problem. Issues that you should check for may include the following.
How to prevent peristomal skin infections First of all, you will need to choose the right skin barrier. You may want to consult with an ostomy care nurse to have a better idea regarding which skin barrier may be beneficial for you. Remember, the shape and size of the opening of the skin barrier should be the same as those of your stoma. Sometimes, you may want to use skincare products to ensure the optimum health of your peristomal skin. These products include stoma paste, peristomal cleansers, adhesive removers, and skin wipes. Most of these products aim at providing relief from irritation. Make sure to change your ostomy appliance on time. Generally, you should not let a skin barrier remain attached to the peristomal skin for more than five days. How to clean the skin around the stoma
Cleaning the skin around the stoma can help you avoid a buildup of residue that can compromise the seal between the peristomal skin and the skin barrier. Here are a few steps to help you with the ideal cleaning of your peristomal skin.
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