Ostomy Care - Support, Products and Supplies

Ostomy Support, Products, Supplies & Care

Ostomy and Stomas

Though Ostomy and Stoma are often used together through out the medical condition, their meanings are different. An ostomy correlates to a surgically created opening in the body that is used to discharge waste from the body. However, a stoma is the end of the small or large bowl that often times can be seen protruding from the body.

Types of products to help deal with Ostomy and Stomas:
Nationalmedsupplies.com has hundreds of medical supplies that can help with Your Ostomy and Stoma.

First of all, there are certain Pouching systems that will either include a one piece pouching system or a two piece pouching system. Both of these pouching systems kinds consist of  a skin barrier and wafer which is sometimes called a “ faceplate”. They also include a collection pouch which collects the waste leaving the body. The pouch which can be a one or two piece will connect to abdomen by a skin barrier. This Skin barrier and pouch is then fitted to the stoma to collect the waste from the body (Urine or fecal collection). The Idea behind the medical barrier/wafer is to shield and protect the skin from any stoma output and to be as protective of the skin as possible.

Difference between the two
Two-Piece Systems
The two piece pouching ostomy setup will the user to change the pouch, but leave the barrier and wafer attached to the skin. The wafer and barrier is set up to be part of a flanged component. All of the two piece pouches contain a closure ring that will attach to a fitted piece on the flange. One way of looking at this is that this connection is quite similar to what you see on Tupperware™.
One-Piece Systems
A one-piece pouching ostomy system is made of a skin barrier and wafer. This barrier/wafer combo is connected to the collection pouch which creates a single unit.  The one-piece pouching system will provide a more simplistic approach compared to the two-piece pouching systems. However, this One piece pouching system will require the user to change the entire unit, including skin barrier, when the pouch is changed.

Ostomy Products / Supplies

Ostomy Bag / Pouch

Ostomy Bag / Pouch

Ostomy bag options:

  • One Piece Pouch
  • Two Piece Pouch
  • Drainable colostomy bag
  • Closed colostomy bag

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Ostomy Paste, Powder and Ring

Ostomy Paste, Powder and Ring

Stoma paste and powder options:

  • Ostomy Paste
  • Strip Paste
  • Barrier Rings
  • Protective Powder

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Ostomy Skin Barrier

Ostomy Skin Barrier

skin barrier option:

  • Skin barrier sheets and strips
  • Ostomy pouch wafers
  • Skin barrier with Flange and Tape

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Ostomy Cleaners and Deodorants

Ostomy Cleaners and Deodorants

Odor eliminators and deodorants options:

  • Liquid deodorant
  • Spray deodorant
  • Tablet deodorant

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About your Ostomy Care

What is an ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgical procedure. When a part of the digestive system is diseased or damaged and not able to work normally, a hole is made in the abdomen and a portion of the small or large intestine is brought to the surface of the skin. This opening is known as the ostomy, and the end of the exposed intestine is known as the stoma. A colostomy and an ileostomy are cared for in a similar manner with similar products.

When you have a colostomy or ileostomy, waste leaves the body through the stoma, the end of the intestine that is attached to the abdominal wall, instead of the anus. Since there is no muscle around the stoma, you are not able to control when waste or gas passes out of the body. An odor-proof plastic pouch (an ostomy pouch) surrounds the stoma to collect the waste. It is held to your skin with an adhesive. Pouching systems may be one-piece or two-piece.

In a two-piece system, the pouch and barrier (sometimes called a flange or wafer) are separate. The pouch contains a closing ring that attaches it to the barrier. This is generally a snap ring, similar to those found on food-storage containers. The barrier fits around the stoma and sticks to your skin.

In a one-piece system, the pouch and barrier are a single unit.

Other accessories may include:

  • Curved (convex) barriers, which conform better to some abdomens.
  • Ostomy belts, which help support the pouch.
  • Ostomy Pouch covers, which conceal the pouch.
  • Skin barrier paste, which fills in folds or skin irregularities of the abdomen to form a better seal.
  • Skin wipes or powders, which protect the skin under the barrier and around the stoma.
  • Tape, which supports the barrier and is used for waterproofing.
  • Tape remover, which makes removing the pouch easier.

Read more about ostomy care on WebMD.

Major Ostomy Manufacturers

Ostomy Resources

Looking for more? The following are links to ostomy support groups and resources help you learn more about ostomy.

United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA)
www.uoaa.org

Young Ostomate & Diversion Alliance of America (YODAA)
www.yodaa.org

Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)
www.wocn.org