Myths You Should Stop Believing About Colostomy Bags
Before we jump to the main topic of this article, it is better to start the discussion by defining what colostomy is. Despite all health campaigns and awareness month, the majority of people are not quite familiar with the term unless they have personal experience. The term colostomy refers to a surgical procedure, where the surgeon diverts one end of the intestines into an opening on the abdomen wall. A small or medium-sized bag is then attached on the outer side of the abdomen wall along with colostomy bag support belts.
While it is true that the term is one-hundred percent medical, it does not change the fact that many myths persist about the condition. Some of them can cause further misconceptions while some others cause inconvenience for the sufferers, especially when it comes to their relationships with other people. Indeed, convenience is one of the main challenges that people living with a colostomy pouch deal with regularly since it serves to collect waste that large intestines produce. Just like any other myths that need to be further confirmed, below are some myths about colostomy bags that you should stop believing.
Visible Stoma
One problem that the sufferers have to endure is the fear of bringing the pouch around as they do their daily tasks. Note that it is possible for them to have a normal life despite the fact that there is a pouch attached to their abdominal wall. Unfortunately, many of the sufferers assume that people can easily tell that they have a stoma, draining their confidence. However, the statement is one of the most common misleading assumptions about the condition. The latest statistics show that four of two hundred people live with a stoma, and it is not an easy thing to know that they have a colostomy bag attached. You may have encountered people with the condition without even knowing that they have a pouch on their stomach.
The Smell
Another common concern is the smell. The fear of smelling like waste is common among the sufferers since they know that they have a specific condition that forces them to bring around a colostomy pouch. However, this fear is entirely irrational. The pouch is made of lightweight and odor-proof materials. The materials will ensure that the smell will stay inside the bag. Of course, you can still smell the odor when you change the pouch in the bathroom. However, once the pouch is perfectly sealed, they can pretty much rely on it to prevent the smell from spreading.