|
What is a stoma therapist
and how can they help me?
|
|
|
If you have a stoma - hole in your abdomen
to place a catheter in for bowel wash outs or bladder drainage
- it needs very special care. It can ulcerate; it can close
over; it may need to be moved; the skin may need lotions.
A stoma therapist provides expert help.
|
| Why
do I have intermittent diahorea? |
|
|
Probably because you are constipated. Hard
stools clog up the system and the loose intermittent material
is from above flowing around the hard stools. You need to see
your urologist or continence nurse. |
| What
do I clean my catheter with? |
|
|
Clean your catheter with warm soapy
water; rinse it well; store it in an antibacterial solution
like Milton. |
|
How often do I need to
catheterise?
|
|
|
This
depends on the type of neurogenic bladder you have. And it varies
greatly in spina bifida. It will depend on the size of your
bladder; whether you have a very tight sphincter which holds
all the urine in or whether you dribble/leak between catheters;
whether you take anticholinergic medication which helps keep
the urine in; and what you are doing at the time (i.e. if you
are drinking at the pub you will get full very quickly). For
some people it is essential that they cath on time (or the bladder
gets over full and can stretch); other with overflow not so
important. What is essential is that you get advice from your
urologist about how many times a day. |
| What
do I do if I leak (dribble) in between catheterising? |
| |
You need
to manage it! There are many different types of continence pads,
which will soak up the volume of urine you ‘leak’
between catheterising and will contain the smell. You need a
comfortable continence pad, which holds the volume dribbled
for at least 2 hours, retains odour and does not irritate the
skin. See your continence nurse for help. |
| Why do I feel pain
when I catheterise? |
| |
This can
be for many reasons, some serious. It can be from a UTI, a damaged
urethra where the catheter does not glide smoothly in and out,
or muscle spasm, especially in the sphincter. Sometimes the
sphincter will not easily open. Do not force the catheter in
- try again in half an hour. |
| What diet will help achieve the right
stool consistency for good bowel management? |
| |
Diet can be used effectively by some people to alter stool
consistency and support bowel control. It is important to
know which foods cause loose stools (diarrhoea) and which
foods will promote a good firm stool.
|
| Are there any other procedures that
can help with bowel incontinence? |
| |
Yes. Buttock
strapping and anal plugs. There are also some surgical options
available for you to consider. Of course, you will consult a
specialist in order to be advised as to the most suitable procedure
for your needs. The most promising development is the Malone
procedure which makes it much easier to administer the bowel
wash out. |
| How
do I find the best appliances for me? |
| |
Specialist advice from
a continence nurse; try as many products as possible; trial
and error.
What products we are talking about? :
• Drainage bags and equipment if you
have had a diversion
• Pads (day; night; sport; swimming etc)
• Anal plugs; bowel strapping material
• Single use catheters
• Multiple use catheters
• Lubricants
• Wipes
• Latex free gloves
• Carrying equipment
• Special swimming gear
• Bedding
• Clothes
|
| Where
can I go to get appliances? |
| |
From many places.
There are many schemes such as the Continence Aids Assistance
Scheme for over 16s in the workforce and Physical Aides for
Disabled Persons (PADP) scheme. In most states there is a yearly
expo of products and aides by the major suppliers and manufacturers
- find out more from your spina bifida association or continence
clinic. |
|
|
