Can you Run with an Ostomy?

When you find out that an ostomy is going to be in your future and surgery is scheduled or it just happened lots of questions come to mind. We all feel the same fear and worry and strait up shame.  That may be something that is more prone to my generation, but shame is the first thing we feel and then fear comes from it.  But one thing to know is that it's ok to feel that way, but that it also lessons as your experience with your ostomy grows. Most people are able to do the exact same things they did before they had an ostomy and without much difficulty.  The great ostomy supplies that are being produced allow people to get as active as they want for the most part and running is still possible!

 

There are some people with an ostomy that have even done an Iron Man competition! That is a wild accomplishment for any human being on earth and yet to do it with an ostomy is incredible. So that is a quick answer and yes you can run with an ostomy.  Now if for some reason your doctor tells you specifically not to do it then I wouldn't do it.  Not everyone is the same and we all have different reasons and capabilities.  But in general most things can be done with the right ostomy supplies and the gear that exists is really cool.

 

I was told to use some bags that had tabs on them to get an elastic belt through it.  I thought that would be uncomfortable and would be a big issue with me personally, but I ended up trying it. I tried it and picked up a belt from my local pharmacy and it worked really well.  I ended up being able to run without all the movement that would have happened before and also having a good pair of running shorts also helped out a bunch.

 

Now if you just had surgery I am sure you were told to take it easy, but even if its a year later and you want to get back into running there are a few things to keep in mind.  You are more prone to a hernia now.  So don't jump back in full force.  I like to tell people to start way slower than they would think they need to just to be safe.  There are also some good apps that help start slow when getting back into jogging. Just ask your healthcare provider first and get back into being the you, you want to be!

Having Enough Ostomy Bags

I am always a little intrigued when times change.  Usually, I am not a big fan of change especially when it comes to my health and the ability to stay healthy.  This year was a big change for the majority of the world and the economic changes have rocked how we all live.  We are now for the first time in the United States seeing supply chains break and shortages happening for the first time in my lifetime. I have seen ostomy supplies become scarce in some locations and that means that those individuals who didn't have enough stock to last, ended up reusing old gear and it was scary.

This is why I think you should have some extra stock, stashed away for a bad time.  We have seen the majority of our gear actually comes from China.  I don't find China to be a problem nor do I have an issue with my gear not being made in America, but when it is not available, to me that is a problem.  So I think that in order to make sure you are safe that you need to have more on hand than normal. 

 We have seen entire cities shut down and parts of United States Cities succeed from rule of law.  People died from this and countless atrocities took place.  This meant that the local stores where you could walk and get your ostomy supplies from were burned down.  No one was shipping and people were stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

So what do I suggest, well I think that since round two of the pandemic is here its time to stock up again.  Seeing cities shutdown and supply chains stop to some areas, means that it could happen anywhere and it is better to be safe than sorry.  Now I don't think everyone should go out and buy an extra month supplies of everything right now.  That would actually shut the system down. 

We live in a just in time society, but every shipment get a little extra in and store up the gear you need and the sanitary things to be safe. It does matter and if you are able to help others that are close to you if this happens in your area then now you will have the ability to help.  I find that, being prepared is not selfish, especially when you can help others who didn't or were unable to do so themselves.

Pediatric Ileostomy for Intestinal Transplant Patients

Pediatric Ileostomy

An ileostomy is a surgical process to create an artificial opening on the outside of the abdomen for the discharge of the waste of a human body. A human digestive system consists of teeth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bowel, and excretion. However, the third part of the small intestine is ileum which is connected to the large intestine. It attaches to the first portion of the colon. When there is an injury, blockage, damage, or malfunction in the ileum, doctors have to perform ileostomy surgery. In this incision, they bring a half a portion of the ileum to the outside of the belly wall, and create a small hole for the excretion, called a stoma. The stoma has covered with a bag or pouch. It collects all the solid or liquid waste of the body. Moreover, it controls bad odor, leakage, and gas of a patient.

Moreover, this surgery has also performed in children. When their large intestine cannot perform their function or they have an injured or damaged ileum by birth, then they need ileostomy operation, called Pediatric Ileostomy. For kids, parents have to be more vigilant and sensitive. In a few cases, the large bowel fully removed; therefore, the natural process of pooping gets disturbed. Thus, ask the nurse or doctor about full details and care guidelines for your kids.

However, in a few cases, an ileostomy is temporary. When there is an intestinal transplant, then the ileostomy surgery is temporary. It allows the intestine to take rest and heal for a few weeks or months. In such cases, the doctors create stoma on the outside of the abdomen for a few times. After the healing of the intestinal transplant, surgeons close the artificial opening and the child is back to the natural path of excretion.

When it comes to the stoma, it has several shapes and sizes. It depends on the severity of the disease and the type of ostomy. However, the color of the hole is deep red or pink. Sometimes, it bleeds for a few days after the surgery. But in the cases of the unhealthy stoma, it may bleed for a few months. Therefore, as a parent, you have to take care of the stoma of your child. You should clean and wash the peristomal skin. Otherwise, it will start itching, bleeding, and show redness. The unhealthy or unwashed stoma and skin around the hole generate many skin related diseases that cause problems and pain for the kids.

In a few worst cases, the stoma starts changing its color or it gets swelled. This is one of the most painful duration and conditions for the children. The stoma of the kids’ gets changed with the fluctuation in the weight and size. When a kid starts getting weight, the stoma will increase the size and vice versa. The variation in the visibility (size and shape) of the artificial opening is noticeable. Moreover, visit your child’s specialist and WOC nurse weekly. It is necessary to discuss your child’s health changes and medical condition. Moreover, if your kid is suffering from any other disease, then you must consult your doctor. Especially, when your child is facing motion, diarrhea, or vomiting. Do not put them on self-medication or personal analysis. Ask their doctors

Life of a Child with an Ileostomy

A child suffers a lot of pain in the initial days of the surgery. But, as a parent, you have to be careful regarding their diet and