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Volume 28, Number 9 May, 2001
SUMMER SUGGESTIONS FOR APPLIANCE STORAGE
By: Bill Capman, Worcester Ostomy Association
Be careful where you leave those extra appliances. Very high temperatures can develop when a closed vehicle is left in the sun, especially at the beach or in an exposed parking lot.
Appliances which are not properly protected may be unusable, and it may be at a time when you need them the most. If you must leave your supplies in a closed car for an extended period, put them in an insulated bag or cooler and keep the container covered and out of the direct sunlight. This method may not guarantee total protection but should provide adequate short term protection for day trips.
Don’t keep a large quantity of supplies on hand, especially in the summer. Let your supplier store them — hot and humid weather can damage appliances.
EMOTION AND YOUR COLON
Via: South Brevard FL Ostomy Newsletter
Do negative emotions contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? This is the question asked by some British researchers as reported in the “Lancet”, the British medical journal. In an effort to determine whether anger, excitement, or happiness had any effect on the bowel, 18 patients with IBS were hypnotized.
In turn, all had these emotions induced. A catheter was inserted in each patient’s colon. The catheter revealed that anger and excitement increased the rate of colonic contractions, while happiness reduced the contractions.
Hypnosis itself, without any induced emotions, also reduced colonic motility, which suggests that hypnosis might help in the treatment of IBS.
I think we’ve all learned from personal experience that emotions do, indeed, affect our entire body. We see flushed faces and perspiration, and tightening of muscles in the throat and stomach, as well as increased energy when we are angry or anxious. Excitement brings some of the same symptoms, while happiness finds us relaxed and calm. It is interesting that it shows up in the colon as well and may contribute to some colonic problems.
DON'T SUFFER IN SILENCE
Via: The Phoenix Facts, N.E. Iowa’s Ostomy Newsletter & The Spacecoast Shuttle Blast, Cocoa, FL.
A whole new world will open up to you by discussing your problems with others who have experienced these same doubts and questions. We have all gone through a period of learning to live again and in many ways, even better than before. You may find it hard to believe, but ostomy chapters are here to offer friendship, understanding, and knowledge about living with your ostomy. We provide reassurance and emotional support to you, the ostomate, and your family. We know that it can be a second chance to live, so consider joining a chapter now!
FOR NOSES THAT KNOW THE MISERY OF HAY FEVER
Via: Old National Bancorp, “Healthy Thoughts”
Allergic rhinitis, or “hay fever,” is the most common allergic problem in the U. S., affecting about 36 million Americans.
For many of us, symptoms flare up in the spring, summer and fall when plants release their pollens—and our bodies mount an all-out attack against these microscopic troublemakers.
What you can do for seasonal allergies:
Keep windows closed whenever possible. Use air conditioning to clean, cool and dry the air. Clean air filters regularly.
Keep car windows closed when traveling.
Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
Don’t mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass. Mowing stirs up pollens and molds. If you have to, though, change your clothes and take a shower afterwards.
Don’t rake leaves—it stirs up molds.
Don’t hang sheets or clothing out to dry. They’re magnets for pollens and molds.
Don’t over-water indoor plants if you are allergic to mold. Wet soil encourages mold growth.
Take over-the-counter or prescribed medications according to instructions (note that more is not better).
MEDICATIONS :
Antihistamines clear up a runny nose and watery eyes. Over-the-counter formulas can often cause drowsiness, but there are prescription alternatives that do not (e.g., Allegra, Claritin).
Decongestants clear up a stuffy nose (e.g., Sudafed).
Cromolyn sodium over-the-counter nasal sprays (e.g., Nasalcrom) help prevent rhinitis symptoms. It takes about a week for them to kick in, and they need to be used continuously during allergy season.
Steroid nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase) also help prevent symptoms and must be used continuously. They require a prescription.
ALLERGY OR COLD?
Both colds and allergies can have many of the same symptoms: runny and/or stuffy nose,
dry nose and nosebleeds, postnasal drip, sneezing and coughing.
But you’ll know for sure you have allergies if:
Your nasal symptoms continue for more than two weeks and/or occur at about the same time each year.
You also have an itchy nose.
You have itchy, watery red eyes.
The roof of your mouth itches.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
GIVE YOUR BODY A BREAK
Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry, Via: Metro MD. & So. NV. Town Karaya
The human body is a marvel of creation that never ceases to amaze. Its capacity to adapt to abuses and excesses bewilders even the most experienced health practitioners. These experts all agree, however, that the human body can only take so much punishment...it has a breaking point, one which is influenced by the way each of us conducts our lives.
We subject our bodies to many forms of abuse over the course of any given day, most of which can be easily avoided. These various deficiencies or excesses are known as “negative survival values” and they directly affect our ability to function normally. They include lack of sleep, overeating or improper diet, emotional stress, smoking, alcohol or drug consumption and lack of exercise. These are all factors that can control and they directly affect our natural resistance to illness as well as the body’s natural recuperative powers.
Part of the human body’s natural defense mechanism is its ability to let us know when something is not right. We must listen to our bodies ….headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness and frequent indispositions are all signs that our body is not functioning properly.
KEEP A MEDICAL JOURNAL
Via: Sherman Area Ostomy Association “Ostoline”
Often a problem has been nagging at your body for weeks or months. Sometimes a piece of equipment doesn’t work properly. When you finally break down and go to the doctor, or consult an ET nurse, you find that they ask questions about the history of the problem which you can’t answer. As a result, their diagnosis is not based on complete information.
To avoid a faulty or inadequate diagnosis, it is wise to write down the symptoms of problems as they occur. Often, you will find that by writing down these symptoms and the events which precede them, You, yourself, can spot some obvious solutions (or, at least, causes).
A medical journal can help you to avoid false assumptions about your problem; it can also aid you when similar problems crop up in the future. Accurate information is always welcomed by your doctor or ET.
HELPFUL HINTS FROM HERE AND THERE
Emotional pressures and over-fatigue can cause bowel upsets, especially when traveling. Do not allow yourself to become over-tired.
For hard-to-deal-with, itchy, irritated skin due to tape burns, scar healing, pouch friction on the skin, etc., doctors often recommend a cortisone cream or ointment. Two products of this nature available without a prescription are: Cortaid or Dermolate.
If you like mushrooms, remember they don’t digest, so chew them well.
Asparagus generates a strong odor in the urine. Yogurt, cranberry juice, and buttermilk help to combat urinary odor. Parsley is excellent in combating fecal odor, besides being a good source of potassium.
Keep grape juice in the refrigerator. If you eat something that causes a blockage, just try drinking a glassful. It really works.
Never wait until you’ve used your last appliance before ordering new ones. Keep a list of your equipment, complete with order numbers, sizes and manufacturers. Let a member of your family know where you keep the list so that they can get the necessary supplies in the event of an emergency.
Use a round clothespin to roll up your tube of paste. (Works for toothpaste tubes too.)
If you still have your rectum and have pain or a full feeling, you may have a collection of mucus which should be washed out. Check with your doctor regarding this.
Buttermilk will soothe an irritated digestive tract and will not cause diarrhea or constipation.
Colostomates should not use water that is too cold or too hot as it may cause cramps, pain or nausea. Do allow 45 minutes to one hour for a complete return of water. Arrange to sit for comfort and relaxation. Do not hurry through irrigation. Anxiety, frustration and spillage may result. Getting up tight can cause little or no return.
Rounding off the square edges of a firm wafer or skin barrier will decrease the chance of the belt catching on the corners.
For urostomates, if your drainage tube is clogged, try soaking it in a solution of Tide for about two hours. Then rub the tube between your fingers, insert a baby bottle brush as far a possible, pull out and rinse.
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