Stoma management
Understanding your stoma
A stoma does not have nerve endings; therefore, it does not transmit pain or other sensations. However, it has many blood vessels and may bleed slightly if irritated or rubbed. This is normal, but if bleeding is prolonged or if discharge from the stoma is bloody, be sure to contact your healthcare professional.1
Your stoma should be shiny, wet, and red in color, similar to the inside lining of your mouth. However, all stomas are not the same. They vary in size and can be round, oval, or irregular in shape, protruding or flush with the skin.1 Selecting the best pouching system depends on whether it is urine or stool that comes out of your stoma, and the shape or other anatomical characteristics of your stoma.
References [+]
- Ostomy self-management: ostomy care. Greenwich, Connecticut hospital Web site. www.greenhosp.org/dev/pe_pdf/surgery_ostomy.pdf. Accessed December 11, 2007.