|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-Mail This Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
Printer-Friendly Version |
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to our Newsletter |
|
|
|
|||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Volume 35, Number 4 January, 2008
CARBOHYDRATE CONFUSION
Via: Rose City Ostomy News, Tyler TX
Are you among the many confused by the latest carbohydrate debates sparked by the recent wave of low carb diets? Carbohydrates are the starches, fiber and sugar in foods converted to glucose in the body for use as the main source of energy. The National Academy of Sciences recommends both children and adults eat at least 130 grams of carbohydrates each day for brain function.
Most people consume far more calories from carbohydrates than necessary, often from empty calorie sources such as sweets, chips, fries and sodas. These sources of carbohydrates pack little nutritional punch and the calories add up quickly. But is the opposite necessary? Extremely low-carb diets can compromise adequately grain, fruit and vegetable intake, which are shown to fight cancer and heart disease.
Not all carbs are created equal. Don’t just count your carbs, make your carbs count! The best bet for long-term weight loss is to include a variety of foods each day including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy foods. Be conscious of portion sizes and increase physical activity. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
HEARD YOU WERE AN OSTOMATE
by: Louis J. Wray, Via: UOA Website & The Ostomee-News, Fairfield, OH
I heard that you’re an ostomate.
Is it true what I heard about you?
That you have no guts, your bladder is gone, and that you’re all washed up and through?
Yet, whenever I look at you, you’re beaming with joy and grace.
You never hint at the strife you’ve borne, disguised by the smile on your face.
You seem to be a special breed, bent on helping others to live.
Your suffering must have battered your life, yet you reach out and always forgive.
I’d think that you might be angry at the way fate has picked on you.
But, I’d never suspect it if you are, for your love always seems to shine through.
I assume your second chance at life makes each day a pleasure.
And, your thankfulness for health and friends makes itself a treasure. Now, I better appreciate the Phoenix (bird), the symbol of your dear UOA;
“Reborn from the ashes of disease.”
What a message of help this conveys.
See, I know you are an ostomate– a pattern you have set for me.
Like you, I’ll try to help others cope with their new way of life, cheerfully.
A second chance, reborn to serve, and as happy as can be.
Ostomates inspire me and my friends with service offered so free.
So, out in the open– your secret is known, your formula for success is in view.
You’re an asset to this weary old world;
We’re blessed for having ostomates like you.
SOMETHING FOR THE NEW OSTOMATE
Via: Ostomy Outlook & GB News Review & Loraine Co. OH
Don’t forget! Rome was not built in
a day. If changing your appliance seems to take forever, with practice it will
soon become a small part of your normal day. “Waste disposal” for you once
again will become a private matter. Do learn to take care of yourself from the
start. You may not always have someone around to assist you.
Do come to ostomy Meetings where you can
talk to others about your problems. You’ll be surprised at the ease with which
you can discuss problems once you’re there. Bring your family members with
you. It’s also important to have them understand ostomy problems and their
solutions.
UROSTOMY FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by: Gene Frankson, Green Bay WI, Via:
Marshfield WI Newsletter
The week of our August store and bought cucumbers and tomatoes. Loving to eat vegetables, I ate half the cucumber, a tomato, had a few cans of soda pop, and another tomato on my hamburger. Thursday, (while on vacation) my son and I went up north. In addition to the other food I had consumed, I had a bottle of lemonade. About 3:00 A.M., I had a leak in my wafer. Six hours later, I had another leak. I took the appliance off and put on another wafer. After another 6 hours, another leak. By that time, I’m getting a little unhappy and worried, because my supply of wafers was running out. I started thinking about all the acid I had ingested, so I slammed down a big glass of milk and lots of water.
All that food and drink I had consumed was acid! My urine got so acidic it was cutting right through the glue on my wafer.
It’s been five days since I put my last wafer on—thank goodness! What a pain, and it was all my fault. My daughter, who is a doctor, said maybe if I took some Tums for the acid...I don’t know if that would work. Fresh vegetables are great—but be careful what and how much you eat!
DRUG THERAPY FOR THE OSTOMATE
John J. Wroblewsky; Rph, Via: Ostomy Management
The most well-adjusted ostomate can run into trouble when he or she starts taking medication. The potential of side effects or adverse reaction increases as the number of medications the patient is taking goes up. Compounding the risk is that consumers today are turning to over-the-counter medication and are prescribing for themselves to offset rocketing health-care costs. A few basic principals of drug use are, therefore, important to keep in mind.
A drug can’t do any good unless it gets to its target organ. This simple idea is all that’s behind the concept of bio-availability. In almost every case, a drug must be absorbed into the systemic circulation before it can exert a therapeutic effect. Since drugs are absorbed primarily through the intestines, ostomates can be at a particular disadvantage.
Many factors influence the absorption of drugs. These factors include the chemical nature of the drug, the dosage from in which it is introduced into the system, and the condition of the patient who is taking the drug.
Iron for instance, and vitamin B12 are absorbed only in the upper ileum. While the chemical nature of most drugs allows absorption along a significant length of the intestinal tract, the shorter the functional intestine, the less will be absorbed. Only a very few drugs, such as alcohol, can be absorbed to any great extent through the stomach.
Another chemical factor involved in bio-availability is the intrinsic solubility of the drug. Some drugs are rather insoluble in the digestive juices and absorption into the bloodstream will vary greatly, even in patients with an intact bowel. Clearly, a patient with a shortened ileum is at risk for malabsorption of any poorly absorbed drug.
The dosage form, too, is a major factor in bio-availability. As a general rule, the smaller the particle size provided to the GI tract, the easier it is absorbed. True solutions have the best bio-availability by the oral route and suspensions are almost as good. Chewable tablets have a pretty good record if they are chewed well; in most cases they are better than capsules or compressed tablets.
Ostomates who have had a significant portion of their intestine removed may achieve better absorption by emptying the contents of a capsule into applesauce, or crushing a compressed tablet and adding the powder to food.
A word of caution though– not all tablets can safely be crushed, and not all capsules should be emptied. Generally speaking, timed release tablets should not be crushed, nor should time released capsules be emptied. The result could be 12 to 24 hours worth of medication being released all at once.
Certain drugs can react chemically with foods. Tetracycline is notorious for combining with heavy metals and with ions such as calcium, which is present in milk, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products.
Enterec-coated tablets should never be crushed. The reason those tablets are coated is to prevent acid degration in the stomach or to protect the mucosa from irritation. Enteric-coated tablets are a poor choice for ostomates. Entire tablets have been recovered intact in an ostomy bag.
A patient’s diet can affect the drug absorption too, either by absorption of the medication onto the food, chemical interaction, or by delaying gastric emptying time. Since many drugs are affected by acid, prolonged exposure to stomach acid may decompose the medication.
Physicians, pharmacists and especially enterostomal therapists have an important role in educating ostomy patients so they’ll know what to expect and avoid in drug therapy. Ostomates owe it to themselves to be informed and alert, to minimize risks and to ask when there remains but the slightest doubt.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Sign up for Evansville Ostomy Monthly Newsletter
Main
Areas
Homepage
|
Monthly
Newsletters |
Ostomy Forum
|
Links
UOA Chapters Online
|
Comparing Notes |
Monthly Meetings
|
Cartoonsville
Mailing List Messages |
Hints & Tips |
Contacts
|
Membership
|
Guestbook
Glossary
of Terms
|
Miscellaneous
|
Search
Disclaimer
