Complications Of A Colostomy

Possible complications of a colostomy

As with any operation, complications can happen during or after a colostomy. Your doctor will explain the risks to you before the procedure.

Infection

There's a small chance you could get an infection around your stoma. This is usually treated with antibiotics.

Dehydration

Having a colostomy makes it harder to stay hydrated.

If you notice signs of dehydration such as fatigue, dry mouth or lots of poo coming out of your stoma, speak to your stoma nurse or another healthcare professional to get advice.

Bowel blockage or obstruction

If less poo is coming out of your stoma than usual, or your stoma stops producing poo, you may have a bowel blockage. A blockage is serious because your bowel could burst (rupture), and you may need further surgery.

Speak to your stoma nurse urgently if you have cramps, are feeling sick or notice swelling around your stoma.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You've had a colostomy and:

your temperature is very high, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
you have lots of blood coming from your stoma, or in your stoma bag
you have signs of dehydration
poo has not come out of your stoma for much longer than is normal for you, or you feel uncomfortable
you have severe tummy pain
you're feeling sick or being sick - your vomit may be green

These could be signs of an infection or a bowel obstruction.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Problems with your stoma

You may get problems with your stoma, which can include:

swelling around the stoma (a hernia) - this may be managed by your stoma nurse or with surgery
the stoma going back into your tummy instead of sticking out (stoma retraction) - different types of bags and accessories can help
the stoma coming out too far above the skin (stoma prolapse) - different types of bags can help
skin damage around the stoma - this can be helped with special products such as sprays or wipes and measuring your stoma regularly to make sure the bag fits well

Find out more about living with a stoma on the Crohn's and Colitis UK website

Contact your stoma nurse or GP if:

you think you have a problem with your stoma or it's causing skin problems

They can advise if further surgery may be needed, or about products that might help.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.