Patient/caregiver was educated on dietary recommendations for individuals with ileostomy as follows: Individuals with ileostomy find it difficult to digest certain food materials, which can eventually show up in the stool. These poorly processed foods can block the stoma leading to emergency situations. Avoiding these foods is recommended in individuals with ileostomy, especially during the first 6 – 8 weeks after initiation of ileostomy. Individuals could be on NPO regimen immediately before & after the [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on complications with ileostomy as follows: Parastomal hernia:  Often the intestines can bulge outward under the skin, near the stoma. This bulge is called a parastomal hernia, which can make attachment of the bag difficult, resulting in leakage, skin irritation, and need for frequent bag change. Development of parastomal hernia is quite common and they can be self-limited. Severe cases of parastomal hernia might necessitate a laparoscopic repair. Increased gas production: Individuals on [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on complications with ileostomy as follows: Blockage of stoma: Poorly chewed food with bigger chunks in swallowed portion can increase the risk for blockage of stoma in individuals with ileostomy. Individuals with stoma blockage could present with nausea, vomiting, swelling of stoma with discoloration, and swollen abdomen, thus precipitating an emergency. Chewing the food thoroughly to almost liquid consistency helps prevent risk for blockage of stoma. As chewing thoroughly involves some time, individuals [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on complications with ileostomy as follows: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: Individuals on ileostomy lose significant amounts of water and electrolytes in the stool. Fluid and electrolytes are significantly absorbed in the large intestine. So, a stoma placed ahead of large intestine along the length of the bowels, such as in ileostomy, will fail to absorb all the water and electrolytes that normally were destined to get absorbed in the large intestine. As a [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on findings to report to the physician as follows: Poorly chewed food with bigger chunks in swallowed portion can increase the risk for blockage of stoma in individuals with ileostomy. Individuals with stoma blockage could present with nausea, vomiting, swelling of stoma with discoloration, and swollen abdomen, thus precipitating an emergency. Report to the physician regarding symptoms of stoma blockage ASAP for recommendation on relief measures. Individuals on ileostomy lose significant amounts [...]