Josef Jacks, Neighbor

I am someone who is passionate to raise a voice for ostomates. Someone close to me has gone through ostomy surgery. Its important to talk about and how a family can play a vital role. I guess we must understand the basics and how to takecare of people at home. Once a patient is home, rely on the family members or a caregiver. Therefore, it is the liability of hospital professionals to guide and teach about stoma care and a new life.

Many ostomates face stoma and peristomal skin complications after going back to homes because of the lack of information and knowledge about ostomy care. The operation brings some physical changes and natural functioning processes in the body; therefore, it affects the mind, attitude, and self-image of the patient. It would be great if the caregivers of the ostomates make them feel comfortable and normal. In the initial months of the surgery, a patient does not want to get involved in the family gatherings or go out. However, the family should know how to cope up with such a situation. A patient may feel lonely and depress, but the family can make them realize that everything is normal.

To become a normal and happy person take time. Thus, a family should know about the mental pressure and stress level of the patient. You can learn all these things from the nurse and doctor. However, apart from the psychological effects, you have to adopt a new caring routine for the stoma. A patient's diet should be according to the recommendation of a doctor. A patient should eat five to six small meals daily. Moreover, the cleaning of the stoma and peristomal is another essential point.

Make sure you or the ostomate empty the ostomy pouch on time. The bag should not leak and release the output. The contact of waste discharge to the skin can damage the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780191">peristomal skin</a> and stoma. It can erode the pH level of the skin, cause bleeding from the stoma, dehydrate the peristomal, fluctuate the size and shape of the stoma, and cause irritation. This would be the worst situation for the ostomate if he/she will have to go through any kind of skin problem.