Understanding More About Crohn's Disease Ostomy

For those, who suffer from Crohn's disease, news of a Crohn's disease ostomy can be a scary thought. While, the condition itself can be a difficult thing to live with, many acute sufferers choose to ignore the option of having surgery, simply because they are terrified of living with an ostomy. The important thing to realize is that, ostomy surgeries are not for everyone and living with one is not as intimidating, as it might seem.

 

Crohn's disease is a hard condition to live with. With the causes of the disease still unknown and a cure still non-existent, Crohn's disease can seem like a hopeless thing to be stuck with. Sometimes, patients are lucky enough to go for years, without experiencing any attacks. Others, however, are not so lucky and for some people, the condition becomes so severe that surgery needs to be done.

Going in for surgery or a Crohn's disease ostomy, is a last resort for people, whose condition has become so severe that medication no longer has any effect on them. Surgery is only recommended, when a blockage forms in the intestine, when there is excessive bleeding, if the bowel has become perforated or if fistulas, abscesses have formed or toxic megacolon has set in. Even in these cases, it must be understood that the surgery does not cure Crohn's disease. While, it does deal with the affected areas of the body, there is a chance that it will reappear in another part of the intestine.

 

The kind of surgery depends on a number of factors. The doctor must take into consideration, the severity of the disease, the nature of the complications, and the area where the disease has affected the intestine. In some cases, the rectum may also be affected. Prior to surgery, it is important that the patient undergo a high nutritional diet to prepare the body.

Part of the fear that surrounds ostomies, stems from the fact that many people are not clear about what they really are. In the case of a Crohn's disease ostomy, a part of the colon is removed, because it has become so ravaged by the disease. A stoma or hole is then created in the abdominal wall, which leads to the outside. A bag is attached to this opening and the waste material is collected. This method is used in cases, where the intestine can be re-attached to the rectum. A few months are given for the healing process and then another surgery is performed, to reattach the remaining intestine to the rectum.

 

In some cases however, the rectum is also removed and the patient must use the stoma for life. The bag needs to be cleared a number of times a day and is usually located along the belt line. Having a Crohn's disease ostomy can make some people very conscious about their personal appearance. However, there are a number of ostomy support groups available and once you get used to having it, the condition can become easier to live with. Considering the alternative of living a life, riddled with pain and steroids, having a Crohn's disease ostomy is a better option. It is important to remember that in some cases, a second surgery may be required, if the symptoms flare up again. While, it may be hard to get used to at first, a Crohn's disease ostomy can make a marked improvement in the life of those, who suffer from severe Crohn's disease.