Health

10 Tips For Preventing Ostomy Bag Gas And Waste Leakage

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Posted on May 11, 2022

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Ostomy bag leak is one of the challenges people with stoma face today. It is hard to manage leaks, especially if you are new with the proper care of the pouching system or travelling long journeys.

Oftentimes, leaks and accidents cause embarrassment for people with a stoma. It discourages them from going outdoors and mingling with other people.

Fortunately, ostomy andurine bagleaks are very manageable and preventable. With time, knowledge, and practice, people living with an ostomy can go and explore the world without fear and embarrassment.

Tips To Avoid Ostomy Bag Waste Leak

TIP #1: Get a proper fitting ostomy bag

There is a high chance that your pouching system will leak if you wear an ill-fitting one. A loose or bigger pouching system exposes more of your skin. The waste can seep through the crevice or opening between the skin and pouching system.

Avoid a smaller or tighter pouching system as well. The appliance could nick the ostomy with too much contact.

The first stem and the golden rule in ostomy care is to find a pouching system and appliance that match your stoma. Remember, your stoma shape and size change over time. So it is also helpful to replace your ostomy bagto accommodate these changes.

TIP #2: Empty your pouch regularly

Generally, there is no leak when theostomy bagis empty in the first place.

As much as possible, empty yourostomy bagwhen it is already a third full. The frequency of changes depends on how fast you can fill up the bag.

The bag’s content weighs down the pouch, affecting the adhesiveness of the appliance. The poor adhesive is leeway for crevices where faecal waste could seep through.

TIP #3: Wear loose clothing

It is also possible for your ostomy bag to leak even if it is not half-filled yet. It happens during pancaking. Pancaking occurs when the waste is building up near the appliance’s opening instead of going down at the bottom of the ostomy bag.

There are two possible reasons why it happens. The first is when your stool is thick, and the second when you wear a tight shirt, jeans, and trousers.

You can troubleshoot the second reason by wearing loose and appropriate clothing. Skinny jeans and tight trousers squeeze the ostomy bag, preventing the waste from sliding down the bottom of the pouch.

Instead, wear loose pants with tight waistbands. That way, the ostomy bag has enough room, allowing the waste to slide down.

You can also inflate your ostomy bag before putting it on; so the bag is not pressed or collapsed.

TIP #4: Take care of the surrounding skin

The skin surrounding your stoma plays a significant role in an efficient pouching system. It is where you will stick your pouching system. It is painful to stick an ostomy bag on irritated skin. The adhesive is not as credible as usual when the skin is damaged. Most importantly, damaged and irritated skin could lead to infection, which is a more serious problem.

The skincare routine for stoma includes cleaning the skin with water and gentle soap, ideally fragrance-free soap. Dry the skin before applying skin barrier cream. You can buy abarrier cream from anostomy caresupplier.

Never use harsh soap, lotion and creams with fragrance, oil, powder, and alcohol on the skin.

TIP #5: Secure your pouching system before engaging in physical activities

The first step is to make sure your ostomy or urine bag fits you well. Make sure the adhesive is credible enough that it will not detach itself in the middle of the activity.

Wear proper clothing and avoid accessories that could entangle your pouching system. You can also wear garments that will support or secure your pouching system.

Lastly, make sure to empty your bag before participating in games and sports or having sex.

Now that you know the tips for preventing ostomy bag waste leaks, it is time to learn how to manage odour leaks.

Tips To Prevent Odour Leaks

TIP #1: Mind your diet

There are certain foods and drinks that make us too gassy. Passing gas frequently increases the chance of odour leaks. As much as possible, avoid food that increases smelly gas and stool.

Cut back on sugary drinks, such as artificial fruit juices, milk teas, and soda. Avoid consuming coffee and alcohol.

Limiting your consumption of dairy, fried food, beans, eggs, fish, and sweet fruits, like mangoes and peaches, can also help reduce your gas.

It is part ofostomy care to alter some aspects of your lifestyle, including diet.

TIP #2: Use ostomy bag filter

The primary role of an ostomy bag filter is to reduce the odour of the gas in case it leaks. With a filter, it is okay to release the gas to decrease the pressure in the ostomy bag since the filter reduces the odour.

Some pouching systems have built-in filters, while others lack one. For the latter option, make sure to look for a filter compatible with your pouching system.

TIP #3: Use odour eliminators and deodorant

Ostomy bag odour eliminators and deodorants come in many forms; they could be gel and drops. Make sure to apply one before putting it on your ostomy or urine bag.

There are also edible deodorisers that make your gas and stool less smelly.

TIP #4: Empty your ostomy bag regularly

Emptying yourostomy bagnot only does prevent stool leaks but also stops gas leaks.

Usually, odour leaks indicate that you are in dire need of changing your ostomy bag.

TIP #5: Buy a new ostomy bag

If you empty your pouching regularly, use filers and deodorisers, and alter your diet but the odour is still present, it means that you need a new pouching system.

Your stoma shape and size might have changed, affecting the fitting of yourostomy bag. An ill-fitting pouching system is prone to waste and gas leaks.