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October 2009 Last Month’s Meeting (our
390th) perfect day to have a meeting. Our featured presentation was by one our favorite ostomy nurses, Bernie auf dem Graben, WOCN working out of Resurrection Hospital. Bernie has come to our meetings for many years sharing her experiences treating all types of ostomy issues. She has published a number or articles related to assisting people achieve their full potential after ostomy surgery. Watch for her special wisdom in future editions of The New Outlook. She has a unique style you will love. We wish to offer a special note of congratulations to Dave Rudzin. Dave has been asked to run for the office of president for UOAA. This is quite an honor. We expect Dave will spearhead new initiatives to enhance the mission of UOAA for the benefit of people with ostomies everywhere. We were visited by some of our friends from Hollister, Inc., Sharon Mikolitis, Oscar A. Ramirez and Jeff Teimes. They all work with people with ostomies solving the personal challenges each has in order to achieve extra-ordinary results utilizing the best products to attain a high quality-of-life. The Bladder Cancer Awareness Assn. is having a Symposium including seminars, help groups and a vendor fair. It especially meant for those undergoing cancer treatment, those who have had bladder removal and caregivers. It will be held on October 9 and 10 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center 1600 Oakton St., Elk Grove Village. Registration will be $45 a person. For more information, call 847-593-3305 or www.bladdercancerawareness.net . On Saturday, September 12, about 25 people attended a visitor’s training session hosted by the ostomy support group at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. This was the first time the new training movie developed by UOAA was shown. It is a great improvement. If you would like to see a well produced video highlighting what the 2009 UOAA conference was about, visit http://vimeo.com/6224545 . Remember UOAA in the United Way's Fall Workplace Giving Campaigns. If you, your friends or relatives participate in the United Way campaign within the next few weeks, UOAA can receive "designated" donations from your local campaign if you write us in. Here is how to designate UOAA as the 501 (c) (3) organization that you would like to receive your gift. Name: United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc Fed Tax ID#: 134310726 Address: P.O. Box 66 City/State/Zip: Fairview, TN 37062 Phone: 800.826.0826 Contact: Joan McGorry World
Ostomy Day October
17, 2009 When you are dissatisfied with your life and want
to go back to your youth . . . think of Algebra. Ostomy Association of Greater Chicago Established 1975 President Jane Michnik n9yha@comcast.net Vice
President/Newsletter Renard Narcaroti renard22@att.net 630-418-7127 Treasurer Tim Traznik tim.traznik@brunbowl.com 630-736-1889 Director Rhoda Gordon mmrdgordon@aol.com 847-256-5885 Director / FOW Joan Loyd joanloyd@sbcglobal.net 847-724-8002 Gay / Lesbian
Ostomates Fred Shulak thadbear@sbcglobal.net 773-286-4005 Membership Judy Svoboda judysvoboda@comcast.net 847-942-3809 Ostomy Nurse
Coordinator Sharon Pardo sharon-pardo@thermal-tech.com 708-457-9522 Publicity Ken Niebuhr ktn39@sbcglobal.net 847-398-0527 Visiting Peggy Bassrawi, RN pbassrawi@gmail.com 847-251-1626 Ways and Means
sallyschinberg@wowway.com Jerry & Sally Schinberg 847-364-4547 Welcoming swsteinbergcpa@yahoo.com Steven Steinberg Wound Ostomy
Continence Nurses (WOCN) Bernie auf dem Graben 773-774-8000 Resurrection Hospital Alyce Barnicle 708-245-2920 Nancy Chaiken 773-878-8200 Terry Coha 773-880-8198 Children’s Jan Colwell & Maria De Ocampo 773-702-9371 & 2851 Our Lady of Jennifer Dore 847-570-2417 Beth Garrison 312-942-5031 Rush
Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital Madelene Grimm 847-933-6091 Connie Kelly 312-926-6421 Northwestern Kathy Krenz & Gail Meyers 815-338-2500 Centegra-Northern
Marina Makovetskaia & Kathy O'Grady. 847-723-8815 Bari Stiehr & Diane Davis-Zeek 847-618-7986 Nancy Olsen & Mary Rohan 708-229-6060 Little Company
of Barbara Saddler 312-996-0569 Catherine Smith 708-684-3294 Sandy Solbery-Fahmy 847-316-6106 Nancy Spillo 708-763-4776 Resurrection
Home Health Services National
UOAA Virtual Networks · Pull Thru Network (Parents of children with bowel and
urinary dysfunctions): Bonnie
McElroy 205-978-2930 · UOAA Teen Network: Jude
Ebbinghaus 860-445-8224 · GLO (Gay & Lesbian Ostomates): Fred Shulak 773-286-4005 ·
Young Ostomate & Diversion Alliance of Amer: Eric En
714-904-4870 · Thirty Plus: Kathy DiPonio 586-219-1876 ·
Continent Diversion Network:: Lynne Kramer 215-637-2409 OAGC Meeting Dates for
2009 October 21—Deb Wojcik
from the Cancer Wellness Center will speak about loss November 18—A special
date. We will have a Rap Session on
our first November meeting ever. December 16—Gala Holiday
Party Southwest Suburban Chicago The Southwest Suburban Chicago Ostomy
Support Group is an entirely volunteer ostomy association dedicated to the mutual
aid, education and moral support of people with ostomies and their
families. Meetings are held at For information regarding this special
ostomy group serving SW Sub Chicago Meeting
Dates for 2009 All meetings are held at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, Mary Potter
Pavilion, Lower Level, 2850 W. 95th St. Carol Chase Bjerke Exhibit at the
International Museum of Surgical Sciences You may have read the article in the Phoenix, June issue, page 48 and following, about Carol Chase Bjerke, an artist based in Madison, Wisconsin, whose art is influenced by her experience with having an ostomy. Her exhibit titled Hidden Agenda opens at the International Museum of Surgical Sciences in Chicago on November 1. A reception with the artist will probably be held Friday, November 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The reception is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL (312) 642-6502. Web site is www.imss.org. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 PM, and through September the museum is also open Sundays 10:00 to 4:00 PM. Regular admission is $10 (but there may be specials for seniors). Free on Tuesdays. (Next page) Ellen Credille has done some library research on the history of the ostomy procedure and always wanted to visit the museum. She thinks many of you would like to visit too. Ellen asked the museum about group visits. We could go as a group and do a self-guided tour or we could arrange for a guide if we plan 2 or 3 weeks ahead. A guided tour can accommodate up to 20 persons and can be done on a Saturday or a weekday. The group rate would be only $4 per person. I interested people please contact Ellen at (773) 973-5636. We need to see how many people we would have and choose a date. Would you prefer a weekday or a Saturday? Hospitalization Guidelines By Dr. Lindsay Bard It is important a person with an ostomy knows how he/she should be handled differently than someone without an ostomy who enters the hospital. It is up to you. It is very important to communicate to medical personnel who take care of you, including every physician that treats you that you have an ostomy, and what type of ostomy you have. Here are some rules to help you cover the details: Rule I . . . The Cardinal Rule! If you feel something is being done or going to be done to you that might be harmful, refuse the procedure. Then explain why to the medical personnel, especially your physician. They will then decide with you if the procedure will actually be in your best interests. Rule 2 . . . Supplies Bring your own supplies to the hospital. Never assume the hospital will have the exact pouching system or irrigation system you use. Most hospitals have some supplies available. These are used for emergency situations. Rule three . . . Laxatives & Irrigations Follow the points below concerning laxatives or irrigation practices, according to which type of ostomy you have. Medical personnel often assume all stomas are colostomies. But, of course, practices vary among the various types of ostomies. · A transverse colostomy cannot be managed by daily irrigations. The only colostomy that can be managed by irrigations is the descending or sigmoid colostomy. However, sigmoid or low colostomies do not have to be irrigated in order for them to function; many people with sigmoid colostomies prefer letting the stoma work as nature dictates. If you do not irrigate your colostomy, let the fact be known to your caregivers. If your physician orders your bowel cleared, irrigate your own colostomy do not rely on others. There is a strong possibility that those caring for you will not know how to irrigate your colostomy. · Bring your own irrigation set to the hospital. · If you have an ileostomy or urinary diversion ostomy, never allow a stomal irrigation as a surgical or x-ray preparation. Remember that laxatives or cathartics by mouth can be troublesome for people with colostomies. For people with ileostomies, they can be disastrous—people with ileostomies should always refuse them. A person with an ileostomy will have diarrhea, may become dehydrated and go into electrolyte imbalance. The only prep needed is to stop eating and drinking by midnight the night before surgery. An IV should be started the night before surgery to prevent dehydration. Rule 4 . . . X-rays X-rays present special problems for people with ostomies, again, differently managed according to ostomy type: A person with a colostomy must never allow radiology technicians to introduce barium into your stoma with a rectal tube. It is too large and rigid. Take your irrigation set with you to x-ray and explain to the technicians that a soft rubber or plastic catheter F#26 or 28 should be used to enter the stoma. Put a transparent pouch on before going to x-ray. Have the technician or yourself place the rubber or plastic catheter into your stoma through the clear plastic pouch. When enough barium is in your large bowel for the x-ray, the rubber or plastic catheter can be withdrawn and the open end of the pouch closed. The pouch will then collect the barium as it is expelled and can be emptied neatly after the procedure. Once the x-rays are completed, irrigate normally to clean the remaining barium from your colon. This will prevent having to take laxatives by mouth after the procedure. A person with an ileostomy may drink barium for an x-ray procedure, but never allow anyone to put barium into your ostomy. A person with a urostomy can have normal GI x-rays without any problems. Never allow anyone to put barium in your stoma. At times, dye may be injected through a soft plastic catheter into a urostomy for retrograde ureter and renal studies, often called an ileo-loop study. The same study may be performed on a urostomy patient with a Koch pouch. The dye will be injected via a large syringe; this can be a very painful procedure, if the dye is not injected very slowly. Even 50cc's will create a great deal of pressure in the ureters and kidneys, if injected rapidly. Remember to request that the injection be done slowly. For anyone who wears a two-piece pouching system: you may remove the pouch just prior to the insertion of the catheter, and replace the pouch after the procedure is completed. If you wear a one-piece pouching system, bring another with you to the x-ray department to replace the one removed for the procedure. In the event you are incapacitated, and cannot use your hands to replace your pouching system, request that a WOC nurse in the hospital be available to assist you. The WOC nurse will be able to replace the skin barrier and pouch for you before you leave the x-ray department. Rule five . . . Instructions
Bring with you to the hospital two copies of instructions for changing your pouching system and/or irrigating your colostomy. Provide one to your nurse for your chart and keep one with your supplies at bedside. If you bring supplies that are not disposable, mark them do not dispose. Otherwise, you may lose them. Rule 6 . . . Communicate! Again, let me stress that you must communicate with the hospital personnel who take care of you. You will have a better hospital stay, and they will have an easier time treating you. Tips From Here and There Once again, winter will soon be upon us, and you know that means a risk of the flu. It is best to be prepared and know what to do. For people with new ostomies, this could be a time of serious concern and a new experience in coping, for flu not only brings on headaches, muscle aches, pains and upset stomach . . . it brings that “bogeyman" for a person with an ostomy, diarrhea. Whether induced by flu or other causes, diarrhea can present a serious challenge to people with ostomies. Vomiting must also be taken seriously because of the risk of dehydration. The first advice for any person—with an ostomy or not—suffering the flu is to always drink plenty of liquids and obtain proper rest! By all means, call your doctor if either vomiting or diarrhea symptoms are severe and continuing. People with ostomies must take special care not to take medicine for pain or a laxative without a doctor's order. That goes for antibiotics, too! Antibiotics have no affect on a virus but do kill bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly, and can change the proper balance of normal bacteria in the colon, if you still have one. Disturbing this balance can actually bring on or exacerbate diarrhea. Your diet will change during flu, but during recovery, adopt a fiber-free diet at first, gradually moving to a regular, normal diet. Prompt attention to symptoms of colds and flu should bring to each of us a happy and hopefully healthy winter season. Now to the specific tips for each category of ostomy: For a person with a colostomy with diarrhea, it would be wise not to irrigate, for nature is actually doing the job. After the diarrhea stops, the colon will be sluggish for a few days, so leave it alone a little longer. Give the colon a chance to return to normal before resuming irrigation. Carry an extra supply of
"security" pouches. Member’s
comment: I customarily wear a closed pouching system, but when diarrhea
strikes, I wear a drainable pouch until the siege is over. My diet during stomach flu is hot tea,
ginger ale and pretzels. Drugs or certain foods can cause constipation in people with colostomies recovering from flu, or at any other time, but this can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids. Diarrhea can present an even greater problem to a person with an ileostomy. Besides an excess of discharge, having an ileostomy will cause a person to suffer loss of electrolytes and vitamins necessary to maintaining good health. One may experience thirst, a slowly rising fever, weakness, mental fuzziness and reduced urine output. Drinking plenty of fluids will increase urine output and will not cause increased water discharge through the pouch during colds or flu. Results that are more serious could include muscle contractions, abdominal distention, lack of alertness, and, in extreme cases, convulsions. A person with an ileostomy must restore electrolyte balance as soon as possible. Eliminate solid foods. Regain lost potassium by drinking tea, Gatorade, bouillon, ginger ale and plenty of water. Regain lost sodium by eating saltine crackers or salted pretzels. If you notice a weight loss of over five pounds in a few hours time with your pouch filling up every few minutes, go to the hospital. You need an IV to restore your bodies fluid needs. A person with a urostomy
should take special care to keep electrolytes in balance and follow the same
general instructions as for persons without ostomies. Family and Spouse—Their Needs By Donna Hoffman, WOC nurse, Blue Water NM Much has been communicated about the person who must undergo ostomy surgery, his/her physical recovery from the surgery, and his/her emotional recovery—also important. But what about the feelings of the spouse and children? They suffer in their own way. In the hospital, doctors and nurses hurry around seeing to the person with a new ostomy's physical needs, and visitors see to the emotional needs. Who is there for the family? Spouses suffer just as much—if not more. They must put up with our outbursts of anger, despair and depression. They work with us, giving love and support, and then go home to an empty house and wonder—what next? There is usually no one to help them through their anxious days of worry and uncertainty. "How will my loved one accept me? After all, I am not the one with the ostomy. Will he/she change or be the same?" After a person with a new ostomy comes home from the hospital, the family and spouse graciously accept some small inconveniences; such as, pieces of skin barrier stuck to the floor, paste spilled on a favorite brush or comb, irrigating tubing hanging in the bathroom, learning to leave the bathroom free at that certain time of the day, making extra "pit stops" when traveling, etc. On the spouse's end, "What about our sexual life? Will it be the same? Will it be worse, better, or maybe none at all?" Spouses and families need the same support during the hospitalization and recovery phase as the person with a new ostomy. They need to be included in the teaching of ostomy care, to feel they are still wanted and needed. Children should have the surgery explained to them so that mom or dad will seem the same and love them even more. They will not think anything of it if explained in a simple understanding way. An ostomy is nothing to be ashamed about and it should not be treated any differently than someone who takes insulin or wears a prosthesis—false teeth. Spouses should also take advantage of opportunities to talk to other spouses of people with ostomies, like at our local ostomy association meetings. Did you know that we have our own Internet site? Next time you are on your computer, check out our site at Ostomy Care around the World In Russia, very little reliable information is obtainable in ostomy care. FOW-USA has sent hundreds of boxes of ostomies supplies to help these people. We do know there are almost no ostomy products available through commercial outlets. If they do obtain supplies from a retailer, they are the old, 1950's style, rubber pouches that are not odor proof. The more modern barriers and pouches are only available on the black market or through FOW-USA. None are imported there from the U.S. or Europe. As for China, at the present time, the government is sympathetic toward ostomy needs, but there are other more pressing health problems. Ostomy care after surgery has the lowest priority. Generally, most people with colostomies in many places overseas do not irrigate for the simple reason that bathrooms are often inadequate or non- existent and water is poor in quality. In fact, many places in the U.S. also have challenges with quality running water in bathrooms. Outhouses are used regularly in many places in America. In Nigeria, sanitary facilities are very primitive, with street sewers serving as toilets. Any supplies that are brought into the country are immediately taken by the local gangsters who extort there own people in dire need of them. In Great Britain and Sweden, supplies are free to people with ostomies. However, many of the high quality products that we use in Chicago are not even available there. They must take whatever product the government provides at that moment, which is usually the cheapest one. One does not know from one month to the other what products will be provided. One must be very flexible. On the positive side, one can obtain 90 pouching systems a month without any problem. Sweden requires that all ingredients in any product must be labeled so as to alert people with allergies of the products risks. Holland has a good range of ostomy products, and stomas here are still "rosebuds" not "tulips." France has free pouching systems, but the situation is unrealistic, for manufacturers obtain the same price for basic equipments as for the newer premium products. A manufacturer would receive the same reimbursement for a new technology extended wear skin barrier as it would for an old standard wear barrier it produced in the 1960’s. This means that the best quality supplies are hard to find or only available on the black market. Spain provides free supplies to patients, but there is 50% duty on imported supplies. Since the best products and the widest variety come from the U.S., or other European Countries, people with ostomies have very little choice. Interestingly, manufacturers from other countries formed the Spanish Ostomy Association for patients. Eastern Europe is very limited in the availability of modern pouching systems. In India, there are severe restrictions on the importation of any medical supplies. It was only in 1975 that the first ostomy association in India was formed, and in 1978 when the first stoma clinic came into existence. Japan and Africa in
general do not have a large number of people with ostomies, although these
are areas of increasing surgeries every year. There is a definite stigma attached to people with ostomies in Japan. Japan has been importing the high quality ostomy supplies made in the U. S. and Europe just this century. Only a few years ago, mostly clear thin plastic pouches or gauze were used. There are a few WOC nurses in Japan, who trained in the U.S., but they work more for manufacturers than hospitals. In Australia, the government provides free ostomy supplies to any person who is a member of the Ostomy Association only. Interestingly, in spite of the fact that there is the highest ratio of WOC nurses to the population of anywhere else on earth, people in general do not accept stomas as readily as in the U.S., as reported by Ostomy Association studies. New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland have very high rates of colon cancer, probably due to the high beef and fat intake coupled with low residue diets. Free supplies are dispensed through the hospital and visiting nurse systems. These areas use the British system of health care. The people have a limited choice of the type and quantity of ostomy product available. They pretty much have to take whatever they obtain and make due. Otherwise, they must personally pay for the higher quality supplies from the U.S. and have them shipped overseas. South America is hampered in getting supplies because of high import duties, which can run as high as 30%. Patients pay for all their own equipment. FOW-USA has a difficult time donating supplies to these countries because the local officials want a bribe in order to allow free supplies to be provided for their own people who are in dire need. These areas have such an unbelievably high degree of corruption from every side of the political spectrum that they make our political thugs and gangsters in Chicago almost seem honest. The Union of South Africa provides very good care and modern pouching systems. As a side note, many native people in the hospital walk around with an IV in their arms and the IV fluid bag on their heads. Argentina and Brazil are just beginning to train their first WOC nurses. In contrast, Mexico is really in need of help. People who need ostomy surgery are considered terminally ill. They die. There are few people with ostomies in Mexico. These few are considered the rich. Editor's
note: The world is changing very quickly. The information that is published is often
obsolete as we receive it. At a recent
visit to a major ostomy manufacturer, we found the market for ostomy
equipment is shrinking in the U.S. (Yah hoo) but
growing around the rest of the world (Boo hoo). We in America are much more accepting of
people with ostomies than most of the rest of the world. You have to learn to live with a broken heart. Helen Graziano Urostomy Question Dear Renard, My friend found you on your Internet site, www.uoachicago.org, when we were wondering about urine specimen collection and appreciated your help. I have another problem, which I have discussed with the ConvaTec WOC nurse. I had been having problems with itching under my skin barrier, and it has been partially resolved since I started routinely cleansing the area with the adhesive remover and washing it all with Ivory soap. I do rinse the area well to remove the soap residue but have a problem with the length of time my pouching system stays on my tummy. It will last a week and then the next week I have to change it three days in a row. My routine is the same and nothing is significantly different in my diet or fluid intake. I have had an ileo-conduit for almost five months now. I use stoma paste around the cutout hole which is measured to snuggly fit my stoma. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you may have to help me get a week out of every change. I never wear it more than seven days when it lasts. Thanks for your help in advance. Nancy Dear Nancy, We have asked this same question many times to a variety of WOC nurses as well as some of the scientists at Hollister, Inc. The best method of changing an extended wear barrier—I believe you are probably using one—is a little different from your current routine. After removing the barrier, an adhesive remover should be used only sparingly, maybe once a month or so, because the alcohol in it will dry the skin and make it itch. There is virtually no need ever to wash the skin around the stoma with any type of soap, especially Ivory. Soap will dry out the skin and make it itch. Wash the skin that is under the skin barrier with only warm water and gentle hand rubbing, it is all that is necessary. You probably should not use paste with a urostomy. The residue from it may enter the stoma and cause infection. Most urostomy patients use a convex wafer with perhaps a belt to hold it in place to achieve satisfactory results from their pouching system without any leaking. Using a flat barrier may lead to leaks and not offer you the same wear time. Cymed Corporation has a niche market specializing in hard to manage urostomies. They have a Microskin product that fits right up to the stoma, breaths and yet keeps the skin perfectly dry. It is a great pouching system, and you should order free samples to try it. A pouching system managing a urostomy should be changed at least twice a week on average. If you are trying to make it last a week, it may not be prudent. The skin under the skin barrier needs to be examined every few days to make sure there is no damage from a minor leak. Just a drop of two of urine under the skin barrier will compromise the peristomal skin over time. It is best to catch these little problems early, and we all contract them. If itching under the skin barrier is still an issue—this can be very annoying and significantly diminish one's quality of life—a dermatologist can prescribe Desonide lotion. Only a drop or two is necessary, and it will stop the itch. It is a steroidal-based product and is not recommended for every day use because it may thin the skin. In addition it can be absorbed by the skin and enter the body. Regardless, it is a miracle for people with itching issues. If there are any red pinhead sized bumps on the peristomal skin, this may mean the presence of fungus. This will cause itching. Using a micro-granulated anti-fungal powder will solve this problem. Your doctor can provide a prescription for Nystatin powder, a must for all people with ostomies. I hope this little bit of information has been of help.
Renard Indian River Ostomy Association, FL As baby boomers age, there are a greater number of illnesses just waiting for them. Years of fast foods and stress make a breeding ground for intestinal problems. When they can no longer deny that their fast-paced lifestyles and poor eating habits have caught up to them, they seek medical help. When tests confirm intestinal problems that require surgery, their whole world seems to explode around them when the doctor says, “You need an ostomy.” If the patient is fortunate enough to have a doctor who is aware of the local ostomy association, he/she will ask the WOC nurse managing the pre-surgery examination to arrange for a visit. It is only when a person with an ostomy talks to another person with an ostomy that the problems that seemed insurmountable are gradually chipped away. That is what the UOAA and local ostomy associations are all about—people with ostomies helping other people with ostomies. Where is the best place to find this information and help? Of course, it is at your local ostomy association. Northwest Community Hospital An ostomy support group formed in 2008 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. They wish to extend a welcome to all of our readers to visit them. The WOC nurses at the hospital lead the group. For more information, please contact Diane Davis-Zeek, RN at 847-618-3215, ddavis@nch.org . They meet every other month on the second Thursday at 1:00 PM at a new permanent location, the Busse Center, B1 level, Room LC7-8. This building may be accessed from the garage at the west end of the Busse Center. It is easiest to enter from Central Road. NW Comm Hospital Meeting Dates for 2009 October 8—A dietician will be featured December 10 Support Our Ostomy
Association We are now offering free membership to our Association. To provide for our few expenses (mainly the publishing of The New Outlook) we need your assistance. Please send a contribution to help maintain our group’s viability. Name & Address: ___________________________ _______________________________ Send To: Ostomy Association of Greater Chicago Mr. Tim Traznik, Treasurer 40 Fallstone Drive, Streamwood, IL 60107-1079
For our
liability disclaimer and privacy policy visit http://uoachicago.org/liability.htm. Stress and Intestinal Gas Space Coast Shuttle Blast, Cocoa, FL One of the most common gastrointestinal complaints is caused by stress. Flatulence occurs in people during stressful situations. While under stress, breathing is deeper and one sighs more, encouraging a greater than normal intake of air. In fact, studies show that the average American belches about 14 times a day. The person with a flatulence problem does not belch more often. However, they may experience the sensation of needing to belch and get little relief from doing so. Here are some ways to relieve gas: · Avoid heavy fatty meals, especially during stressful situations. · Reduce the quantity of food consumed at one sitting. Eat small low-fat meals about every three hours. · Avoid drinking beverages out of cans or bottles. · Avoid drinking through a straw. · Avoid foods and beverages you personally cannot tolerate. · Avoid any practice that causes intake of air; e.g., chewing gum, smoking. · Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. · Experiment with foods in your diet to achieve adequate bowel regularity. · Avoid eating too many fiber foods in one meal. · Avoid skipping meals. An empty bowel encourages small and gassy stool. Poor digestion can often exaggerate the symptoms associated with flatulence. Digestive enzymes aid in food assimilation and chemical digestion. Enzyme supplements should always be taken immediately before or after eating. Food coats the stomach and helps prevent gastric juices and acids from destroying the enzyme action.
Ileostomy and the Immune System Forwarded By ReRoute, Evansville, IN In response to a query about the possible effects of ileostomy surgery on the immune system, Dr. Beck—a loyal supporter or UOAA—notes that 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 responses 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 these diseases (steroids) or malnutrition associated with the diseases may 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 toward 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 the immune function.
Temporary Ostomies By Nancy Brede, WOC nurse Temporary ostomies are surgically created with the intent of reconnecting in the future. The anatomy of the gastrointestinal system or urinary system is left intact. Permanent ostomies are created with the intent that the ostomy surgery will not be reversed; usually the surgery is performed when disease or injury prevents maintaining the anatomical structures needed for reversal. A large number of temporary ostomies involving the colon are done on an emergency basis. The colon becomes obstructed or blocked, and stool cannot pass through. Because of the emergency nature of the surgery, the bowel cannot be cleaned and prepped ahead of time. Reversal, or re-anastomosis—hooking up the normal anatomy—can be done later, when infection is not as likely and proper healing can take place. The most common situations and diseases requiring a temporary ostomy are: · Cancer of the colon with obstruction or other abdominal cancers affecting the colon · Hirschsprung’s disease, a disorder/malfunction in infants, which prevents passage of stool due to lack of nerve cells in certain areas of the large intestine, stool is not moved through, and an ostomy is necessary. · Diverticulitis, small out pouchings—diverticula—in the wall of the intestine becomes infected. The diverticula may rupture or cause obstruction. · Inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease may necessitate a temporary ostomy to allow the diseased bowel to heal. Persons with temporary ostomies face many of the same problems people with permanent ostomies have. It is just as important for them to have support, reassurance and teaching as it is for persons with permanent ostomies. They must learn proper skin care, stoma care and pouching techniques. Often, stomas are not ideally situated on the abdomen because of the urgency of the surgery. Thus, pouching and skin care can pose difficult problems. Following temporary surgery, measures need to be taken to improve the person’s health. He/she must be in the best condition physically to undergo the major surgery for reconnection. This is also a time for the person to psychologically deal with past surgery, upcoming surgery and possibly a newly diagnosed disease. It may be a difficult time with all the changes and new challenges. Often, there are many fears and unanswered questions. Other people with ostomies and WOC nurses may provide reassurance and the answers to many questions.
For our liability disclaimer and privacy policy visit http://uoachicago.org/liability.htm. Ostomy Organization Family
Tree By Joan Loyd In 2005, the UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America) was organized by board members and former officers of the bankrupt UOA (United Ostomy Association). One following the other, both were/are national associations—the only national ostomy organizations in the USA. The UOAA has no individual members. The “members” of the UOAA are the support groups—the same groups that were called chapters by UOA. The members of UOAA are the local groups to which individuals belong. Dues are paid to the UOAA by each support group according to the number of dues paying members in that group. For example, our group, the Ostomy Association of Greater Chicago, is a member of the UOAA. Our group decided years ago that the record keeping necessary for keeping track of dues was more than our volunteer run organization could cope with. We rely on voluntary contributions to cover the expenses associated with the activities of our support group (monthly meetings, newsletter, website maintenance, visitor training, etc.) So far, our members have been generous and this has been enough to keep our group afloat. Since we have no dues paying members our local group, the Ostomy Association of Greater Chicago, is charged a flat fee of $250 to belong to the UOAA. The UOAA is the only nationwide organization of ostomates. The services they provide include: 1. A National Convention, held every 2 years, to which all ostomates, their families and support people are invited. Information sessions and socializing make this a valuable learning time. 2. Publication of The Phoenix, a bi-monthly magazine, which is available by subscription to anyone interested. The magazine contains articles on medical techniques dealing with ostomy, new ostomy products, ideas on ostomy management, advertisements from ostomy product producers, and stories of personal successes after ostomy surgery. 3. They take a watchful eye on legislation affecting or potentially affecting people with ostomies, especially legislation regarding insurance reimbursement for supplies needed after surgery. Our President, Jane Michnik received an urgent request from UOAA that ostomates giving to their local United Way designate UOAA as the recipient of their donation and the matching donation of the company for which they work. The message is on our first page. Remember that while our local support group is a member of this national organization and we support their program, we are a separate organization with separate goals and our own budget. Your support of the nationwide UOAA is needed and appreciated, but it does nothing to enhance the budget of our local Ostomy Association of Greater Chicago. Both organizations need and are worthy of your support. Stroke Identification Contributed By Joan Loyd My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word and I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks . . . seriously. During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall—she assured everyone that she was fine. They offered to call paramedics but she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They cleaned her up and provided her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital—at 6:00 PM, Ingrid passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. The unfortunate do not die from a stroke. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this . . . A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke . . . totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours, which is tough. Recognizing a Stroke Thank God for the sense to remember the four steps, S.T.R.O. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking four simple questions: S Ask the individual to smile. T Ask the person to talk and speak a simple sentence coherently; i.e., Is it sunny out today? R Ask him or her to raise both arms. O Ask him or her to stick out their tongue . . . it must be straight. If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call an emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. The fourth sign of a stroke . . . stick out your tongue is a brand new indicator. Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue. If the tongue is crooked or if it goes to one side or the other, this is also an indication of a stroke. |
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