Stoma irrigation, also known as colostomy irrigation, is a way of regulating your bowel movements by emptying your colon every day at the same time. The procedure involves instilling a stream of water into the stoma to stimulate bowel muscles to trigger a bowel movement.
The amount of water you have to use during the irrigation process can be 500-1500mls. This process results in colon contraction, which promotes waste evacuation from the stoma. It is an ideal bowel emptying process if you have a sigmoid or descending colostomy.
It is necessary to repeat this process daily at the same time. It will take approximately 6-8 weeks for your bowel to become well-regulated. As a result, your colostomy will not spill stools between the irrigations. This process will also help stave off constipation.
Who is the right candidate for irrigation?
People with permanent sigmoid or descending colostomies are good candidates for colostomy irrigation. Ideally, your stoma should produce semi- or fully-formed stool. Due to the equipment required during irrigation, you should have good dexterity and eyesight.
You can start irrigating your colostomy two to three months after colostomy surgery. More importantly, you should feel well and healthy enough to start irrigating your stoma.
Stoma irrigation is not for everyone. That is why it is necessary to discuss this option with your nurse. You will be offered stoma irrigation in the clinic if he or feels you are a good candidate for this procedure. At the clinic, the nurse will guide you through the entire irrigation procedure.
Who is not a suitable candidate for this procedure?
You will not be able to irrigate your stoma if you suffer from ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. You will also not be able to perform this procedure if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis. You will not be successful in irrigating your stoma if you tend to experience diarrhea.
Your healthcare provider will recommend you against irrigating your colostomy if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Stoma irrigation will be difficult if you experience complications such as prolapse or tightening of the stoma or hernia.
Advantages of stoma irrigation
There are plenty of advantages of irrigating your colostomy. Some of them are the following.
• You will have greater control over your bowel movements.
• You will be able to lead a confident and much better life.
• It will help you control your winds or gas.
• instead of wearing a large ostomy bag, you can wear a small bag or a stoma cap.
• You will not have to worry about keeping too many ostomy supplies.
• You will be able to have a more relaxed diet.
Disadvantages of stoma irrigation
• You will need to be committed to the procedure and allocate a fair bit of time to learn and perform it.
• Since this procedure can take an hour, you will have to be determined throughout the process.
• If you experience an upset stomach, you have to stop irrigating your stoma.
If you want to avoid complications, be sure to discuss stoma irrigation with your ostomy care nurse. Ask them about any situations that may restrict you from continuing with this process.
