United Ostomy Association, Inc.
Evansville, Indiana Chapter
Re-Route

 
Contents:

ILEOSTOMIES AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
SUGGESTIONS FOR UROSTOMATES
CARTOONSVILLE

Re-Route Archive

Volume 27, Number 6  March, 2000

ILEOSTOMIES AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
By: David E. Beck, M.D. Ochsmer Clinic, New Orleans, LA., Via: Loraine Co.
In response to a query about the possible effects of ileostomy surgery on the immune system Dr. Beck notes the surgery, by itself should have no long-term effect on the immune system. Although there is some transient reduction in a patient’s immune response right after major surgery, this usually returns to normal in a couple of days. However, the diseases that cause patients to need a stoma (such as inflammatory bowel disease) and the medications used to treat the diseases (such as steroids) or malnutrition associated with the disease may all affect the immune system. If you are concerned, there are several tests that a doctor can perform to test your immune system. One of these involves placing chemicals or allergens into the skin to see how the body responds. Others involve blood tests. We are continually learning more about the human immune system from our experience with HIV infections. Most efforts are directed towards identifying and then treating the cause of the immune dysfunction. Although good nutrition and some supplements (such as vitamins) are necessary for the immune system to work, little has been proven to improve immune function.

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Via: Omaha Ostomy Digest , Via: Rambling Rosebud & GB News Review
New ostomates, do you feel as if the bottom has dropped out of your world? Your doctor has just shown you your ostomy for the first time. You cannot visualize how it is going to be from now on. You wonder if you will ever become accustomed to this strange thing. Be assured, you will . . . . in time. An ostomy is a lifesaving device . . . You can make it what you desire. You can hibernate, become a recluse and withdraw into your own small world, or you can take it in stride, learn the proper care of your ostomy, then forget about yourself and enjoy the extra time allotted to you. You will find as time goes on, the bewilderment will disappear, and the problems you encounter with the first association of your ostomy will become minimized. You will be delighted to find that you can still lead a perfectly normal life, swim, dance, work and participate in things just as before surgery. If Ulcerative Colitis was the reason for your surgery, then you will be able to do more things than you did before surgery. The new ostomate has a tendency to become overly sensitive, particularly to odor. There are many ways of eliminating all odor, should this be a future problem. There are several drops or powders to be used in appliances or pouch – if needed. Most appliances are now odor-proof. Yes, at first, you will be all thumbs, tackling an appliance, or irrigating according to which ever ostomy you have. Also, after becoming familiar with your apparatus, care time will be cut in half. With the new appliances and supplies available, your job will eventually become easier and (almost) automatic. Don’t become discouraged. Summon up all of your patience and courage to see you through this phase of your rehabilitation. Remember, all of us ostomy graduates went through this period of adjustment, and we are available for help whenever needed, if only to bolster your morale. Fight that depression, it’s your enemy. Things are going to get a hundred percent better than they are now. Thank God that you are alive and take comfort in the fact that “You are not alone”. Attending a local chapter meeting is most helpful. We don’t practice medicine (always check with your doctor or ET nurse, first), but most doctors recognize the fact that ostomates soon become near expert in care and management of the stoma. Fellow ostomates can be helpful with practical hints on skin care, etc. !!!!!

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SUGGESTIONS FOR UROSTOMATES
By: Peter W. Shannon, MD., Via: GB News Review
I have been a urostomate since 1980, so I am an old timer in dealing with urostomy problems. I have recently been using “Dial Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer” to sterilize the skin around my stoma when I am changing my appliance. This gel states that it “kills over 99.99% of harmful germs in 15 seconds.” Since I started using this gel, the skin around my stoma has never looked better. The wearing time with my appliance is about a day longer than before. I also, have fewer urinary tract infections (I am susceptible to these because of hydronephrosis and dilated ureters.) I changed my appliance when I am in the shower. I clean the skin around the stoma with soap and water as I have in the past. I then apply the gel to the skin and wait 30 seconds before rinsing it off. It comes off very easily and my skin is squeaky clean when I am finished. I then step out of the shower, dry the skin and put on the new appliance. In the past, the skin around the stoma has frequently been slightly raw and inflamed. After I started using this gel, the skin cleared up almost immediately.

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