How to change your ostomy bag correctly: Tips and tricks
Changing your stoma pouch is one of those routines that becomes more familiar over time. In the beginning, it may feel like something you need to think through step by step.
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Stoma discharge: what’s normal and what’s cause for concern
Noticing changes in your stoma output or discharge can feel unsettling, especially if you’re not sure what to expect.
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Stoma ballooning: Causes, tips and tricks
Gas is a natural part of digestion. After stoma surgery, however, it can behave differently, as it is no longer passed in the usual way.
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Stoma blockage: Causes, signs and solutions
A stoma can bring a sense of routine and stability to everyday life. At times, however, changes can occur — one of these is a stoma blockage, also known as an intestinal obstruction.
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Ileostomy and stomach cramps: Causes and remedies
Stomach cramps with an ileostomy can feel uncomfortable and sometimes unexpected. While occasional discomfort can happen, cramps are something to pay attention to, especially if they feel stronger than usual or come on suddenly.
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Colonoscopy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): A practical guide
For people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, surgery leading to a stoma may sometimes become necessary. Colonoscopy plays a central role in this process — not only for diagnosis and monitoring, but also as a crucial step on the path to stoma care.
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Stoma skin care: Guide to healthy ostomy skin
A stoma operation brings change — both physically and emotionally. As you begin to adjust, one area that plays an important role in how you feel each day is the skin around your stoma.
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Stoma hernia: Everything you need to know
Changes around your stoma can sometimes feel unexpected. If you notice a swelling or a difference in shape, it’s natural to wonder what might be causing it.
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Constipation with a stoma: Causes and remedies
Constipation is something many people with a stoma experience at some point. For some, it may only happen occasionally, while for others it can be more frequent.
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Stoma bleeding: What causes it and when should you worry?
Seeing blood around your stoma or inside your stoma bag can feel alarming at first. Many people immediately wonder whether something is seriously wrong. The reality is that mild stoma bleeding is often harmless. A stoma is made from bowel tissue, which contains many small blood vessels and can bleed easily if irritated. This guide helps you understand what causes bleeding from a stoma (and when it should be checked medically) to help you feel more confident and reassured in everyday stoma care.
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Stoma leakage: Causes, prevention and what to do
Stoma leaks are one of the most common concerns for ostomates, and one of the most frustrating too. There’s no need to worry, though, as stoma leakage problems have a cause, and most causes have a solution. In this guide, we'll cover why leaks happen, how to prevent them, and where to turn when you need support.
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Coping with flu and sickness with a stoma: What you need to know
Having a stoma doesn't make you any more (or less) likely to catch a cold, the flu, or a stomach bug; but it can change how your body handles them, and how you manage your day-to-day routine while you're feeling unwell. Knowing what to expect makes dealing with sickness with a stoma much less stressful and helps you recover comfortably without unnecessary worry.
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Swollen stoma: Causes, treatment and what to expect
It's common for your stoma to swell or change size and shape at different points in your recovery. In this guide, we look at what causes stoma swelling, how to manage a swollen stoma day to day, and when it's worth speaking to your stoma care nurse.
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Stoma skin care in summer: heat, sweat & sun tips
Summer brings longer days, holidays, and time outdoors; but for any ostomate, warmer weather means more things to think about. Heat and humidity mean more sweating, which can affect your seal, irritate your skin, and make stoma leaks more likely. In this guide, we'll walk you through how the heat affects your peristomal skin, how to keep your seal secure, and what to pack for a day at the beach or pool.
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Prolapsed stoma: What it means and what to do
Noticing that your stoma has changed shape or become longer than usual can be worrying. In most cases, this is a prolapsed stoma; a common and usually harmless complication that your stoma care team can help you manage. Here's what causes it, what to watch for, and when to seek help.
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Stoma granulomas: Causes, treatment and what to expect
Granulomas are a common, benign growth that can develop on or around the stoma, and while usually harmless, they're often a nuisance for ostomates. In this guide, we look at what causes stoma granulomas, how to recognise them, and the treatment options your stoma care nurse may suggest.
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Foods to avoid with an ostomy: A practical guide
Adjusting to life with a stoma often means rethinking your relationship with food and not because you need to follow a strict diet forever, but because certain foods are more likely to cause blockages, gas, odour, or looser output. The good news is that most of this settles down with time, and very few foods are off-limits permanently. In this guide, we'll walk you through which foods to be cautious with, why they cause problems, and how to reintroduce them safely as your body adjusts.
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Skin irritation around your stoma: Causes, treatment, and prevention
Sore, red, or itchy skin around your stoma is one of the most common issues ostomates deal with; and one of the most preventable, too. Most cases come down to output getting under the adhesive and onto your skin, but there are a few different causes, and knowing which one you're dealing with makes all the difference in how quickly it clears up. In this guide, we'll walk you through what healthy peristomal skin looks like, how to treat irritation once it's started, and how to stop it coming back.
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Diarrhoea with a stoma: Causes and how to manage it
Diarrhoea with a stoma is common and can affect anyone with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. This guide covers the causes of diarrhoea when you have a stoma, practical tips for managing it, and when to seek advice from your stoma nurse.
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Retracted stoma: Causes, signs and how to manage it
Noticed your stoma looking smaller or sitting lower than it used to? You might be dealing with a retracted stoma. In this guide, we'll explain what it is, why it happens, and (most importantly) how it can be managed with the right support and products.
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Common stoma bag problems and how to manage them
Most ostomates will run into at least one stoma problem at some point, it's part of the journey. However, most issues have a cause, and most causes have a solution. This guide covers the most common stoma bag problems, with a closer look at peristomal skin care, what to watch for, and when to reach out for support.
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