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Food Blockage
Credit: The Swiss Ostomy website, Schweizer Stoma Suite
Due to "malnutrition" a stoma blockage may occur. That means stringy and badly chewed food
block the stoma. A blockage is noticed by a lack of output; cramping pains which may be severe;
and/or a flatulent or distended stomach.
In case of a blockage, go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital or see your doctor or ET nurse immediately! If there is no possibility to visit a doctor, try the following:
· Put on a barrier with a larger stoma opening. The stoma will swell when the stool flows.
In fact take off the pouch entirely. This will allow the stoma to swell without obstruction,
and may let your body pass the blockage.
· If possible use a transparent pouch to observe the stoma. If the cramping stops, drink a lot
of liquid that usually causes you diarrhea, such as grape or apple juice. This will help
clean out any of the remaining food causing a problem.
· Walk around! The action may get your body to shift the blockage and allow it to pass.
· Massage your abdomen! This will also help move around the blockage giving it a better
opportunity to blast through.
· For the more advanced, lubricate your little finger very well with something like white
petroleum jelly. Obviously, make sure your nail is cut with no sharp edges. Then put
your finger very gently into your stoma. The blockage is probably right at the skin
level. You will be able to move it and distend your skin at the same time. Very often,
this will allow the blockage to pass.
After a blockage has passed, you may feel pain around the stoma for a few days. The blockage overextended the delicate tissue surrounding the stoma on the inside of your body as well as the outside. You should feel better as each day passes. Make sure you use a larger than normal cut out for your stoma, filling in any gap with paste. This will allow your stoma to swell as needed. It should be back to its usual size in a few days. You may need to change your barrier daily for a while to check your skin and to make sure the barrier always covers your peristomal skin.
It is a good idea to discuss a potential blockage issue with your ET nurse before it actually becomes an issue. She will review a good strategy to follow. Every ostomate should do this. If you are successful with these measures you will have diarrhea. Drink enough to compensate for the liquid loss. Prefer an isotonic drink such as Gatorade. Constipating food may help to stop the diarrhea, e.g. bananas and crackers. After a food blockage, you should allow your digestive system a few days rest and keep a slightly liquid diet.
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