Diet for Crohn's Disease Patients with Colostomy

Having Crohn's Disease can be very distressing especially if you are misinformed. Its a disease that needs more than just frequent doctor visits and complying to the barrage of medicines that they are describing. It's more about managing your Crohn's Disease holistically.

When it comes right down to it, having a really good diet with the goal of lessening the attacks will generally yield much needed benefits. This is why a diet guide is of needed necessity. Patients have documented that having a colostomy diet really makes the difference.

If you want to manage your colostomy with a diet guide. A really good book has been doing wonders for Crohn's patients in the last 5 years. Check it out here.

Colostomy Diet and Colostomy Surgery

Colostomy Surgery is often needed to treat certain conditions of the colon (large bowel). Sometimes the surgeon must make an opening on the abdominal wall through which intestinal waste (feces) can pass. This surgery is medically known as colostomy and ileostomy. The opening itself is called a stoma. A lightweight, disposable bag is then worn over the stoma. This condition is often permanent. However, in certain cases it is a temporary detour that can be reversed at a later time.

There are two forms of this surgery where a bag may not be needed. Sometimes a rectal pouch can be created from the small intestine, forming a reservoir for the stool behind the stoma. A tube is put in place so the reservoir can be emptied when needed, usually once a day. This procedure is no longer very common. In another procedure, all of the colon is removed except for the last part of the rectum. A pouch ( Ileal-Anal Pouch) is created from the small intestine and it is attached to the rectum so liquid stool can pass normally through the anus (opening to the outside of the body) about 3 to 7 times a day. This is why a colostomy diet is really needed to contain this condition.

After all of these surgeries, the stool consistency, amount, and frequency will depend on the type and amount of foods eaten. So, the Colostomy diet on this blog is to help patients gain adequate control of their bowel movements.

Post Colostomy Diet

Post Colostomy Diet is a type of diet or some like to refer to as meal plan that is suited for the needs, tolerance, and condition of a patient who is already on post-colostomy surgery. Usually, the ET nurse will give you hints and types of foods sutiable for your stoma. However, its going to be the nutritionist's job to make a diet plan well suited for your needs.

It is useful to stress out that there is not one Colostomy Diet or Meal Plan that works for everybody. It should be individualized from one patient to another same as with your ileostomy diet. We spent much effort and time to colate different colostomy diet tips to be included on this website as we had to base these tips from existing meal plans that are nutritionist recommended and at the same time, is approved by the UOAA.

Here's some tips that might be helpful:

• Chew foods completely. This is by far the most important thing especially if you newly had a colostomy surgery. It is recommended that you chew at least 25-30 times before swallowing depending on the type of food that you are taking in.
• Use 4-6 smaller meals per day. Having a more frequent intake of the right kinds of foods will be very beneficial to an ostomy patient. Not only will it result to a better absorption, it will also make your excretion manageable as it is divided throughout the day.
• Tone down on Fibers. Intake of oatmeals, wheat breads, and the likes has to be mellowed down if your trying to keep a colostomy diet. These types of foods will make the stool firmer which is not good for a recovering colon. Your danger times on fiber will usually be 6-8 weeks after colostomy surgery so you might as well forego these on your diet until OK'ed by your doctor.
• Go for softee. Blended drinks, soups and slow-cooked foods are very much loved by your recovering Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract. They are gentle on the stomach and absorption of these kinds of foods will be easier.
• Liquids are your friends, take them with you. 7-10 glasses of water and fruit juices will be very beneficial for everyone with a colostomy. If youre used to drinking far less liquids, you better try to train yourself by taking a bottle in your car, in your workplace and another one in your room. Remember: You're at risk for dehydration.
• Small is the new Big. You might want to tell your partner or anyone who cooks for you to keep the slices of foods small youre stoma will not be blocked. Quite a number of patients return to the hospital for obstructed stoma and we dont want this to happen to you. Slice them small and save big on your budget.

That's it folks! We hope thsi information was helpful for everyone. If you want to control your stoma through colostomy diet, just remember these 6 general rules and you will be fine. However, if you want detailed and colostomy diet tips that is well suited just for you, you can check out the eBook "The Colostomy Patient's Diet Guide". You can get it at discounted price if you use the link above as every visitor is very much valued here at Colostomy Central.

Welcome to Colostomy Diet Blog!

Colostomy Diet and Nutrition

This is a blog purely dedicated in bringing about free and useful information and resources about Colostomy Diet and Nutrition. This blog is for those who have or who will undergo colostomy procedure from different diseases including Crohn's Disease and Colon Cancer.

As I start this blog, may my goal of providing resources and information to those who need them guide me and serve as a motivation to continue this blog. For now, any suggestions, queries and questions are more than welcomed!

Through the course this blog, I intend to include diet instructions, colostomy menus, recommended ostomy foods, tips and advices for those who have this rather uncomfortable pouch.

Whether you have an ileostomy, a colostomy or even a urinary ostomy, this blog is for you! Keep checking back for more info's and resources as I start off this blog. Always remember, you dont have to like your pouch, you just have to live by it.