January/February 2003
Page 6
Concerns For Urostomates
Germs are all over the world, but when they are in the urinary tract, either in the conduit, the ureters or the kidneys, they are in an abnormal location and that is what causes an infection. What causes infection? Mostly the reasons are unexplainable. Why do some people get more colds than others do? Infections can be caused by an obstruction, kidney stones, tumors, cysts, or scar tissues. Almost synonymous with obstructions is infection, and then too often comes stone formation. Once you have a stone formation, you cannot get rid of the infection. It is kind of a cycle that goes around and around. Infection can be caused by urine being forced back to the kidneys through the conduit. This could be done by falling asleep with the appliance full of urine and accidentally rolling over on the pouch, causing urine to be forced back into the stoma, through the urinary tract with tremendous pressure. Invariably the urine in the appliance will be contaminated.
In general, to prevent and treat infection, you need a good flow of urine much like a stream. That not only dilutes the bacteria or germs in the urine, but also helps wash them out. Two and one-half quarts of liquids daily are required for the average adult.
Night drainage is a MUST. Otherwise, you run the risk of urine backing up into the kidneys, which can cause irritation or infection. This is especially important for urostomates with only one kidney.
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a kidney infection; elevated temperature, chills, low back pain, decreased urine output or cloudy urine. People with ileal conduits normally produce mucous threads in urine which give a cloudy appearance, but bloody urine is a danger sign. If these symptoms develop, you MUST see your doctor.
From Metro Maryland via Cabarus County (NC) Outward Bound via S. Brevard (FL) Ostomy Newsletter via Kawartha District UOA, May 2002, via Inside Out On-line Jan/Feb 2003.
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