Leakages
What is more unpleasant than waking up with a leakage or having to quickly leave a place to change your ostomy equipment? I’ll never say it enough: there are things which need to be adapted when you have an ostomy, but your ostomy should never lead your life! YOU are the boss! I sometimes see people isolating themselves at home and declining invitations because they are afraid of having a leak; I find that so sad....
Why do leakages happen?
First, know that if you have just been operated on, your ostomy, as well as your abdomen, will change. After surgery, your ostomy is swollen, but its size will reduce and/or its shape will change within 6 to 8 weeks post-op. It’s normal to have to adjust your ostomy appliance and it’s your ostomy nurse’s role to evaluate you and help you find the right appliance for you.
Other reasons can explain why your ostomy changes in the longer term: a weight change, a change in stool texture, the appearance of a hernia, a peristomal skin problem, etc. Leaks are mostly due to an inadequate pouching system or bad practices and habits. It’s important to be realistic about the frequency of change of your ostomy equipment and not to try to keep it for as long as possible. Consistency and routine represent the key to success!
You have to be able to recognize leakage signs; sometimes, they are obvious as stool (or urine) getting all over you, but other times, leaks discreetly stay under your ostomy appliance and damage your peristomal skin. Usually, the signs are the following: itching, burning, stool (or urine) on the skin when removing the pouching system, odor and/or redness around the ostomy.
How to prevent leakages?
The frequency of changing ostomy equipment depends on many factors and is different from person to person. You should plan to change yours BEFORE any leak occurs; not vice versa. When the change frequency is planned and integrated into your routine, there is little chance of leakage and much less frustration and discouragement. However, if you feel a sign of leakage before it’s time to replace your ostomy appliance, you should change it quickly. Don't try to make it last longer and patch the leakage until later or you may end up with skin problems. The proper fitting of the pouching system and the right frequency of changing are the real solution to leak problems.
If leakages persist or are frequent, I strongly recommend you consult an ostomy nurse; you probably need to be re-evaluated and make sure you’re using the right appliance and products for you. There are a lot of products and accessories that can improve and solve leakage problems; there are options and solutions for everyone!
Besides, to better understand and manage your leakage problems, I encourage you to read my other blogs: "Peristomal skin" and "Which appliance is best, part 1 and part 2”.
Above all, don't be discouraged and don't keep yourself from going out or doing activities that you enjoy. Remember that no one is immune to bad luck, people living with or without an ostomy!
