Thursday, October, 29, 2009

Tell Me About Colostomy

Health Encyclopedia: Colostomy

Alternative Names

Intestinal opening

Expectations after surgery

The colostomy functions to drain stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag. Most colostomy stool is softer and more liquid than stool that is passed normally. The degree of liquidity of the stool depends on the location of the intestinal segment used to form the colostomy.

Convalescence

Recovery from this type of surgery is mostly related to the condition or procedure for which ...

View all »

Expert & Community Posts

Living with Quiggles: Trying to Pass as Normal

By Cheryle Gartley , Health Expert

...or near the door." - reported by a person with a colostomy. Individuals who are managing stigma... Read more »

Insurance Problems for Those with Incontinence

By Jasmine Schmidt , Health Expert

What boils your blood? How about insurance refusing to cover absorbent products for incontinence... Read more »

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colon Cancer

By Todd Eisner , Health Expert

...cancer. If I do have colon cancer, will I need a colostomy bag? While every case is different,... Read more »

Erectile Dysfunction Following Surgery: Ask the Expert

By Dr. Justin Harmon , Health Expert

...a major operation. The physical appearance of a colostomy (this is a bag to collect stool after... Read more »

Go to Posts »

Health Guide

Colon and Rectal Cancers: Surgery

...anastomosis.If the surgeon cannot reconnect the intestine, usually because of infection or obstruction, a colostomy is performed. The need for colostomies is higher after surgery for rectal... Read more »

Colostomy

Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the end of the large intestine through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the... Read more »

Colostomy

...are: Bleeding Infection Additional risks are: Narrowing or obstruction of the colostomy opening (stoma) Development of a hernia at the incision site Skin... Read more »

Bowel resection

...heal, a temporary opening of the colon through the abdominal wall may be created. This is called a colostomy. The end of the bowel near the small intestine is then passed through the abdominal... Read more »

Bowel resection

...Leakage from the reconnection of the intestine Some cases may result in the permanent need for a colostomy bag. Read more »

Images

The large intestine

Medications

Bentyl Oral Precautions and Side Effects

...decreased sexual ability diarrhea if you have a colostomy or ileostomy A very serious... Read more »

OxyContin Oral Precautions and Side Effects

...An empty tablet shell may appear in your stool (or colostomy bag), but it is harmless. A very... Read more »

View all commonly prescribed Medications »

Related News

Bubbles Predict Heart Attacks

November 20, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- The only thing Elton Cain remembers about being rushed to the hospital was the tightness in his chest.... Read summary »

Help for Blood Pressure

May 05, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- It's a condition that can lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and even death. We're talking... Read summary »

Robotic Help for Oral Cancer

September 01, 2006

PITTSBURGH (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Throat and neck cancer surgeries can leave patients with serious side effects like disfiguring scars and... Read summary »

Inhaled Chemotherapy

May 05, 2008

NEW YORK (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Osteosarcoma is a rare childhood bone cancer that can be fatal because it spreads to the lungs. But now a new... Read summary »

Reversing Paralysis

September 04, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- A fraction of a second is sometimes all the time it takes for your life to change forever.... Read summary »

Go to News »

Note: All clinical content on this site is physician-reviewed, except material generated by our community members.

Featuring Content From:

By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on MyIBDCentral.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2005-2009. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. All rights reserved.