Sometimes part of the rectum or small colon has to be removed in order for waste material to pass through the body. A colostomy takes place when part of the large intestine (colon) is brought to the outside of the body through an opening in the abdomen. This opening is called a stoma.

What is a stoma? A stoma is the part of the intestine that is brought to the outside of the body in order to pass waste. It is shiny, red and wet, and looks like the inside of your mouth. A stoma may change size or shape after surgery. It does not hurt because there are no nerves.

Reasons for colostomy surgery:

• Cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Trauma
• Paralysis
• Bowel obstruction

Hints & Tips for someone with a colostomy:

• Be sure to eat three regular meals per day.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Participate in gentle physical activity.
• Increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
• Take two teaspoons of bran twice a day to help soften your stool.

Direct any medical questions to a health care professional. Always consult with your physician before modifying any course of treatment.

If the small, large intestines and/or the rectum must be removed or bypassed in order for feces to exit the body, an ileostomy occurs. An ileostomy is when the small intestine is brought through a small opening in the outside of the abdomen. This opening is called a stoma.

What is a stoma? A stoma is the part of the intestine that is brought to the outside of the body in order to pass waste. It is shiny, red and wet, and looks like the inside of your mouth. A stoma may change size or shape after surgery. It does not hurt because there are no nerves.

Reasons for ileostomy surgery:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Familial polyposis

Hints & Tips for someone with an ileostomy:

• Drink large amounts of water.
• Be sure you have plenty of salt in your diet.
• Be aware that foods high in fiber may cause blockage or diarrhea.
• Chew your food well to aid digestion.
• Peel fruit before you eat it.

Direct any medical questions to a health care professional. Always consult with your physician before modifying any course of treatment.

Sometimes it is necessary for urine to bypass the bladder. In this case, a urostomy is performed. A urostomy is an opening in the abdomen that allows urine to pass through. This opening is called a stoma.

What is a stoma? A stoma is the part of the ureters that are brought to the outside of the body in order to pass water. It is shiny, red and wet, and looks like the inside of your mouth. A stoma may change size or shape after surgery. It does not hurt because there are no nerves.

Reasons for urostomy surgery:

• Bladder cancer
• Spinal cord injury
• Other malfunctions of the bladder, such as Spina Bifida

Hints & Tips for someone with a urostomy:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C.
• Drink a glass of cranberry juice each day.
• Be aware that fish or asparagus may cause your urine to produce an unpleasant smell.

Direct any medical questions to a health care professional. Always consult with your physician before modifying any course of treatment.

Making the right food choices can help you manage your condition. Different foods will have different reactions with your body and cause different reactions with your stoma. Follow a special diet for at least six to eight weeks to help avoid unpleasant odor, gas, and blockage.

• Some of the foods that produce odors: cabbage, garlic and peanut butter.
• Examples of gaseous foods: beans, melon, and milk.
• To help prevent blockage, drink 8 to 10 cups of liquid a day.

Slowly add one new food at a time to avoid stomach problems. Be sure to chew your food well. People with an ostomy should be able to return to a normal diet.

Check out these helpful food hints from the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA.) For more information on diet and nutrition and managing your ostomy, consult the UOAA at www.ostomy.org.

Direct any medical questions to a health care professional. Always consult with your physician before modifying any course of treatment.