World Ostomy Day

The 2nd of October was World Ostomy Day, a celebration that has been held on the first Saturday in October since 2010.  

World Ostomy Day is a chance to raise awareness of what it means to live with a stoma.

It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the second chance at life that ostomy surgery provides for so many people across the globe.

We thought this was a great time to do our bit to spread the World Ostomy Day message.

So we’re going to take a look at just how far ostomy science has come in the last decade or two — and highlight the ways in which ostomy surgery is saving lives every day.

A quick history of ostomy science

Stomas have reportedly been around since the 18th century before gaining more traction during the First World War when they were used as part of battlefield medicine.

But it’s only in the past 10 to 15 years that ostomy science has really advanced in such leaps and bounds.

Recent developments now mean that:

• Stoma appliances have soft covers, so appliances are more discreet and water-resistant
• Filters have been introduced and work is underway to develop a filter that can work effectively for 24 hours a day
• Hydrocolloids are increasingly skin-friendly and easy to remove, making them much more patient-friendly
• The hard clips that used to seal the end of the bag have been replaced with Velcro, making ostomy bags much easier to empty

We hope that the next decade will provide just as many ostomy science and ostomy product improvements, helping people live happier, easier lives with stomas.

Pros of living with an ostomy bag

Living with an ostomy bag obviously has its drawbacks. And deciding to undergo ostomy surgery is not always an easy decision for a patient to make.

But these medical appliances are real life savers, offering a range of benefits.

We think it’s particularly important to highlight these ostomy advantages as there is still a fair bit of stigma associated with having a stoma or an ostomy pouch.

These pros show that — just like any kind of life-saving or life-improving surgery or medical intervention — an ostomy bag is something to be celebrated.

So how do ostomies change lives for the better?

Patients enjoy a longer life

Ostomies save the lives of trauma patients and those with cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other conditions. Without ostomy science, there’s a chance that these people simply wouldn’t survive their trauma or illness.

For IBD patients, it means less medication and less time in hospital

With an ostomy bag, IBD can be kept better under control. This in turn means these ostomates no longer have to spend large portions of their time in hospital. They don’t even have to remember to take their meds to keep their symptoms at bay.  

Patients feel in control

Knowing that an ostomy bag is there means no more urgent dashes to the bathroom. An ostomate can go through a day, and enjoy time away from home, knowing that they are in full control.  

Patients experience less pain

Patients with conditions such as IBD often have to spend a great deal of time using the toilet. With this can come severe discomfort and pain associated with both the use of the toilet itself and any cleanup required.

With a permanent ostomy, patients can mitigate the more uncomfortable aspects of frequent toilet usage, reducing pain and irritation.

Patients get to live an active and fulfilling life

When a person gets used to their stoma and ostomy pouch, they can live an active life on their own terms.

They can leave the house, go on a road trip, go to a party, or go on a hike, managing their ostomy with ease in any environment.

In the words of Stephanie, an ostomy patient:

“Having an ostomy has given me back my life and I am able to do all of the things that I’ve always wanted to do, but had been held back before by Crohn’s disease.”

In summary

As we move forward with ostomy science, we hope that — as well as making medical and product advances — we can reduce the stigma associated with ostomy surgery and life with an ostomy bag.

Because these things really are saving and improving lives for the tens of thousands of people in the UK who undergo stoma surgery every year.