The FAQs According to Steven.Readers of this FAQ are assumed to be familiar with the terms colostomy and stoma as well as themedical procedure to create them and the resulting changes to bodily functions. If you are not you areprobably in the wrong place but feel free to read on and learn a little.Irrigation in this context is NOT about the distribution of water over lawn or crops.This article is dedicated to Steven Maberry who we lost to cancer on Sept 2, 2009, two days afterhis last post. As one of the initial authors of this document, Steven contributed greatly to thesuccess of this forum with outstanding advice and technical information on the practice andvariety of procedural options for irrigators. A prolific contributor, you can find his informativeand often humorous postings on a wide variety of topics of interest to the irrigator in theArchives. Steven, our Gator in the Sky, God Bless You and Rest in Peace.The FAQ has been prepared by Steven with help from forum members Autodraw and MikeMand is for interested Colostomates and medical professionals who would like more informationon the practice and procedures. We believe that irrigation greatly improves our quality of lifeby giving us the option of wearing smaller appliances, freedom from constant waste and savingsin appliance costs. We would like to acknowledge and thank Denise Elber RN, CWOCN andCamille Spess, MS, RN, ET Nurse for their review and contribution.Posts to this forum of comments, discussion and/or disagreements on the ideas and suggestionspresented here are welcome. Go Gators.Index1. What is irrigation?2. What are the benefits of irrigation?3. Are there any drawbacks to irrigating?4. Who can irrigate?5. Are there some people who cannot irrigate?6. How long does it take?7. What equipment do you need?8. What kind of training or preparation should I have?9. Can you describe the Irrigation procedure?10. Why am I having trouble getting the water in?11. Why is it taking so long for things to eject?12. Why did it eject long after I finished irrigating?13. Can I stop irrigating if I don’t like it?14. Do you have to stick to a rigid timetable?15. Can I irrigate if I have a hernia?16. When should a person not irrigate?17. Why is irrigation not more common?18. Where can I buy irrigation supplies?Definitions of Terms1. What is irrigation?Irrigation is a means by which Colostomates can reduce or eliminate the need to constantly wear acolostomy bag by regaining control over the natural incontinence resulting from a colostomy. It isbasically a self administered water enema, delivered through the stoma. The large colon is filled withwater, stimulating peristalsis, which causes the colon, through muscular contractions, to expel thewater, along with any stool that is present. This will be followed by a period of time (usually at least aday) in which no discharge occurs as the colon has been emptied by the enema.Back to Top Back to Index2. What are the benefits of irrigation?Benefits will vary from individual to individual. Some people find that their results do not justify theeffort while others regard irrigation as a godsend. We’re all different.NO LARGE BAG OR AN EMPTY BAG ALL DAY - Return of fecal continence. Successfulirrigation eliminates the need to empty and/or change the appliance several times a day. Manyirrigators have no discharge throughout the day or night until the next irrigation session and wear onlya small cap or patch to protect the stoma from clothing. Although you may choose to continue to weara standard bag, it remains clean and unsoiled.Reduced or eliminated appliance profile. No more unsightly bulges under clothing requiring attention.Reduced gas. Depending on what one eats and drinks of course, irrigation often reduces gasconsiderably.Reduced odor. Since there is little or no stool in an appliance now, even pouch leaks just do not carrythe same risk of odor. Further, the filters on pouches and caps will work much better since so littlestool comes out to clog up those devices.Less skin irritation. Without feces wetting and degrading the edges of the barrier, stool does not invadeunderneath the seals and burn the skin.Possible lower pouch costs. For those irrigators who achieve the greatest success, the pouchingproblem can be reduced to special patches (or even a large Band-Aid for those very few who haveincredible certainty with their success). This results in much lower costs.All the above produces substantial freedom from colostomy management chores during the day. Formany, irrigation represents a return to ‘normal’.Back to Top Back to Index3. Are there any drawbacks to irrigating?Time. Yes, it does take a block of time out of your day — every day or every other day. Some peoplemight spend less time overall managing their colostomy in the conventional manner. It’s a trade-off: inreturn for evacuating the bowel all at once in a controlled environment, the ir
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