Ostomy
Summary
An ostomy is surgery to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. It treats certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. It can be permanent, when an organ must be removed. It can be temporary, when the organ needs time to heal. The organ could be the small intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder. With an ostomy, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body.
There are many different types of ostomy. Some examples are:
- Ileostomy – the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) is attached to the stoma. This bypasses the colon, rectum and anus.
- Colostomy – the colon is attached to the stoma. This bypasses the rectum and the anus.
- Urostomy – the tubes that carry urine to the bladder are attached to the stoma. This bypasses the bladder.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
Ostomy
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Featured Articles
September 18, 2023
Living an Active and Healthy Life With an Ostomy
Much of the resources on living with ostomies focus on surviving, but what about thriving? Let’s discuss living an active and healthy life with an ostomy!
September 18, 2023
5 Tips for Navigating Life with an Ostomy
An ostomy bag is a pouch on the outside of the body that’s used to collect stool or urine. In this article, we are going to focus on living with a stool-collecting ostomy, with the most common types being colostomies and ileostomies.
September 18, 2023
Patient Reported Outcomes are Focus of Groundbreaking AJG Issue – “Putting Patients First”
Patients are the focus of the entire January issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology (AJG), the flagship journal of The American College of Gastroenterology. This groundbreaking issue. "Putting Patients First," is dedicated to patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
Featured Podcast Episodes
September 18, 2023
Ostomy Care Team Explains What to Expect!
To continue our Ostomy series, we’re excited to speak with two exceptional medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic, Gastroenterologist Dr. Jean-Paul Achkar as well as Wound,Ostomy, Continence (WOC) nurse, Coleen Potts. Dr. Achkar and Coleen share their expertise and insights on taking patients through the process of stoma surgery, the critical role of a WOC nurse, and how this multidisciplinary care team works together to educate and reassure patients transitioning to life with an ostomy.
September 18, 2023
Ostomy 101: Insights from a Surgeon
Dr. Kristina Booth joins the podcast to advance our discussion on ostomies. Dr. Booth shares her wealth of knowledge and expertise on what patients can really expect from ostomy surgery, breaks down some of the misconceptions around living with an ostomy pouch, and what patients can do to prepare themselves in the event they need this life-saving surgery. The answers may surprise you!
September 18, 2023
Patient Voices: Meet Molly Olly Ostomy
Patient Advocate and Influencer, Molly Atwater, AKA Molly Olly Ostomy joins us to share her unique health journey. This inspiring 20-something has had three surgeries, lost three organs, gained an ostomy, and spent more than 60 days in three different hospitals. During this time, she also graduated with a Master’s degree, hiked in the Grand Canyon, started a full-time job, and got engaged to her best friend! Hear her candid, first-hand account and positive outlook of how “Olly,” gave her her life back.
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