Monday 9 January 2017

Some Useful Tips for Urostomy Patients

Ostomy brings self-care but more than usual. With some changes in the body, there are a few new things in your diet, self-management, and hygiene routine. Urostomy needs a bit agile pattern in life and a few changes in diet, daily activities, and self-care. The following are some necessary tips you should follow for a happy and healthy urostomy life.

​​​​​Diet and Nutrition

Many urostomy patients think that their life is going to change, and they cannot eat their favorite foods from now onwards. Well, this is just a myth. Therefore, urostomy people do not need to follow a special diet, they only have to be cautious regarding fluid intake.



Too much water intake can make your day restless and frequent rounds to the loo. It does not mean that you should not drink an adequate quantity of liquid and dehydrate your skin. Peristomal skin and stoma dehydration can lead to some severe skin infections and diseases. Therefore, take at least eight glasses of fluid (you can add fresh juices in the liquid intake), no use of caffeine, and try to drink a very low quantity of energy drinks and soda. It can decrease urinary, stoma, and peristomal infections.



Apart from infections and dehydration, there is another problem for urostomy patients. You have to get rid of urine odor. Well, this would be an embarrassing situation in public. But, you can clear out this issue if you eat healthy food, empty your pouch on time, use a medicated deodorant, and drink fresh juices and water. Try to avoid eating onions, asparagus, garlic, and red beans to avoid stoma odor.

Daily Activities

Well, many ostomates afraid of going gym, swimming, running, and cycling. However, there is no specific restriction regarding any physical activity, but an ostomate has to be watchful while weight lifting. You should ask your doctor about the weight-lifting limitation. Apart from this, you can go for swimming, running, and any other physical activity. Moreover, some exercises are best for abdominal muscles and decreasing the risk of hernia. Therefore, you should do sit-ups and leg lifts daily for belly wall muscles' health.

The only vigilant point regarding physical exercise is that wait for three to four weeks after the surgery.

Emptying the Urostomy Pouch



For urostomy patients, emptying a pouch can be a hectic routine. You have empty the bag again and gain. If you do not clear your ostomy pouch, it will create skin and health problems. Therefore, on-time vacating of the stoma bag is necessary. Moreover, when you empty your ostomy pouch, make sure urine does not splash. Place some tissue papers in the toilet, it will sort out your problem. Your daily emptying routine is an essential point. Drain your pouch when you feel it is 1/3 or half full. Moreover, clear all the content in the pouch before going to bed. Well, the most appropriate thing would be to change your urostomy appliance before sleeping. It will generate a pleasant, gentle, and cozy feel. You will sleep carelessly all the night. Apart from replacing tools, you can wear a stoma belt or collar to avoid leakage. Your night will be untroubled with these special appliances.

Changing of Ostomy Appliances



You can change your appliances when you feel the need. However, you can wear the wafer before sleeping or after waking up in the morning. Urostomy patients should wear drainable pouches. Try to avoid closed-end bags. Well, these are suitable for swimming and intimate moments. Moreover, you should apply a skin sealant before the wafer application. Do not use alcoholic wipes or sealants. It can burn or irritate your skin.

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