What does a pale stoma indicate?
Stoma LeakageStoma leakage usually results from a stoma bag that hasn’t been fitted correctly or from the bag unexpectedly filling quickly or the output becoming loose. Most ostomates will experience the occasional leak, which is nothing to be concerned about. If the bag fills unexpectedly then it could be down to a change in diet, a stomach upset or even something like nerves and stress can affect your output. Show
How to prevent Stoma LeakageIf you are suffering from constant leaks then it is wise to double check the fitting of your stoma bag. Make sure that there are no gaps in the wafer and the the hole fits snugly around the stoma. If you have a flat or retracted stoma then speak to your stoma nurse to see if a convex wafer is suitable for you. Only use convex wafers if your stoma nurse has said it’s ok to do so as you could cause damage to your stoma. Stoma BleedingStomas are very vascular with a lot of blood vessels near to the top, which can bleed very easily. If the bleeding is coming from around your stoma then it is likely that your bag has rubbed around the stoma and is most likely not any cause for concern. The same applies in the stoma bleeds around the edges whilst you are cleaning it. What you should do if your Stoma is BleedingIf the bleeding is coming from inside the stoma then it is important to contact your stoma nurse for advice as this could indicate intestinal bleeding. If you are concerned by any bleeding from your stoma then you should contact your stoma nurse. Retraction/ ProlapseRetracted StomaA stoma will normally protrude slightly above the skin level. The length of the protrusion will depend on whether you have a colostomy or ileostomy (ileostomies tend to protrude further out) and the size of your bowel. A retraction of the stoma is when the stoma lays flat to the skin or below skin surface level. This retraction can become problematic as it can affect the fit of your stoma bag and cause leaks, which can lead to sore and broken skin. How to manage a retracted StomaThis can be rectified by using a stoma bag with a convex wafer to push the stoma forward, an ostomy belt to help support the stoma and/or barrier rings or a barrier paste to help keep the output off the skin. In extreme cases, your surgeon may suggest re-siting your stoma for your comfort. Prolapsed stomaA prolapse is when the stoma extends to an abnormal length and if left untreated are more susceptible to abrasions or infection. Prolapses are more common in loop colostomies and there are several reasons why a prolapse may occur including a weak abdominal wall, rapid weight gain, pregnancy, surgical technique (such as a large incision in the abdominal wall, where the bowel was bought through to the surface) or a sudden pressure in the abdomen caused by coughing fit. How to manage a Prolapsed StomaIt is important to monitor a prolapsed stoma for changes in size and colour as the blood supply to the stoma could become compromised. A prolapsed stoma could also become obstructed making it impossible for faeces to pass through. It is important to seek medical advice should your stoma become obstructed or if the stoma looks paler than usual. You may also need to change your stoma bag to encompass the size of the extended stoma. Your surgeon may decide to re-site your stoma should it become problematic. Parastomal HerniasWhat is a Parastomal Hernia?A parastomal hernia is when loops of intestine bulge through weakened abdominal muscles behind the stoma. You will usually be able to tell if a hernia is present by the telltale bulge or lump that forms behind the stoma. This can increase in size over time. A hernia can cause stoma output to become unpredictable and cause alternating diarrhoea and constipation. As the hernia grows, it can cause the stoma to become retracted or cause issues with the adherence of your stoma bag. Parastomal Hernia Symptoms
How to Reduce Risk of Parastomal HerniasStoma beltsYou can help support your stoma by wearing a stoma belt and specialist support underwear that comes in different support strengths. It is thought that around 70% of ostomates develop a hernia but there are a couple of things you can do to prevent them including not lifting anything heavier than a kettle in the first three months post surgery, holding your abdominal muscles when coughing or sneezing, wearing light support from the start and definitely wearing support during exercise and not gaining rapid amounts of weight. Blockages/ Bowel Obstructions with a StomaDue to the mature of the surgery some people may experience partial or complete bowel blockages/obstruction with a stoma. These can be caused by certain foods that the bowel may find difficult to digest or could be caused by adhesions and scar tissues within the bowel that can prevent faecal waste from passing through. Symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
How to relieve a bowel obstructionThere are some self help tips that you can follow including stop eating solids, increase fluid intake, drinking a warm drink such as tea can help stimulate the bowel to move as can having a warm bath and can help to ease abdominal pain. Drawing your knees to your chest and rocking from side to side can also help to move a food blockage. If you have extreme abdominal pain and you are vomiting then seek emergency medical attention to resolve the obstruction and to avoid perforation of the bowel. THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS A GUIDE ONLY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU SPEAK TO YOUR GP OR A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ABOUT YOUR CONDITION. What does pale stoma mean?Major changes in the color of a stoma, including extreme paleness or extremely darkening, are signs that the tissues are not receiving enough blood. An extremely pale stoma means that the blood supply is poor. A purplish, or blackish color is an indication that tissues are dying (referred to as necrosis ).
What if a stoma is pale pink?If you experience any of the following stomal or peristomal complications, contact your physician immediately. Contact your physician if you experience any of these stoma complications: The stoma turns from its normal red color to a very pale pink, bluish purple or black color.
What causes a stoma to change color?Poor blood supply can cause a variety of changes to your stoma, from small ulcerations on the surface (called ischemic ulcers) that look like yellowy-white patches, to more significant changes in colour or temperature. The stoma can become dark red or purple, or sometimes a very pale pink, and may be cool to touch.
Why is my stoma output white?The longer the remaining section of your bowel is after stoma surgery, the more likely you are to have rectal discharge. Mucus can vary in appearance, for some it can be a clear “egg white” to a sticky, glue-like consistency. It can either leak out of your bottom or build up into a ball, which can cause discomfort.
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