Q. How may I slow activity before changing my appliance?
A. Some ostomates eat peanut butter or marshmallows before changing the appliance to slow activity before showering or taking a bath. Many urostomates change their appliance early in the morning on the "change" day at a time when urine discharge is less frequent.
Q. How can I keep my skin dry before changing my appliance?
A. Bend forward several times before removing the appliance. It helps discharge the urine from the kidneys and ureter into the appliance.
Q. When will the stoma heal so that it isn't red anymore?
A. The red color will not go away. It's actually a good indication that the stoma is healthy with a good blood supply.
Q. I have an ileostomy. On the left side of my stoma, I have an indentation. I am having trouble keeping my appliance on. Feces tend to leak out from under this area.
A. Indentations near the stoma can (and do) cause imperfect seals between the skin and the appliance. Try using some Stomahesive Paste on the skin around the stoma. It's good for filling the "nooks and crannies" and makes your dent(s) level with the surrounding area.
Q. Why is the tea bag, an ostomates best friend?
A. You can drink tea as an anti-spasmodic, which is soothing, to an upset stomach. It also provides fluid containing potassium and electrolytes so frequently lost from diarrhea.
Q. What is a simple way to control stoma noise?
A. Two or three tablespoons of applesauce with breakfast seems to control stoma noise and the pectin in the applesauce seems to have a thickening effect on liquid discharge.
Q. What foods besides bananas are high in potassium?
A. Bananas are frequently mentioned as a food high in potassium, but potatoes actually contain nearly twice as much. One large banana has 450 milligrams of potassium while a large baked potato with its skin contains 850 milligrams (the skin alone has 235 mg.).
