Colostomy problems--dietary and colostomy management.

Abstract

Traditional attitudes about managing a colostomy by diet and irrigations must be carefully scrutinized. Colostomies function sometimes because of irrigations and sometimes in spite of irrigations. The approach to one's own normal dietary habits, rather than the dependence upon a standard colostomy diet, seems to give a better regulation of colostomy function. Better colostomy care and management can be achieved by thoughtful selection of the colostomy site on the abdomen, by the use of specially trained personnel to help people understand the nature of the stoma with its special care problems, and by an appreciation of a person's attitude about himself in his own environment.