It can be quite overwhelming to choose an ostomy bag. These bags are available in different styles and sizes. Although it comes down to personal preferences, you need to know the pros and cons of each type of ostomy bags.

What is an ostomy bag?

An ostomy bag is a waterproof pouch which is used to collect waste rom urinary tract or digestive system. An ostomy surgery is done to allow bodily wastes to pass through a stoma, an opening, in the abdominal area.

The ostomy bags are worn outside the body but they can be concealed well under the clothing. The major advantage of wearing these bags is that they prevent stool, urine, or gas from leaking out.

Why an ostomy bag needs to be worn?

There are certain conditions that bring up the requirement of normal waste excretion to be bypassed. Such conditions include injuries or obstructions in the bowel, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain abdominal cancers. Also, certain types of treatments require certain parts of large intestine to be put out of their normal function. In that scenario, a diversion is created above that affected portion of the digestive or urinary tract, and the waste is passed through a stoma created in the abdominal area.

The ostomy bags are connected to the stoma to collect body wastes. Since there is no muscle in the stoma, the exit of gas, stool, or urine cannot be controlled. That makes ostomy bags important.

The types of ostomy bags

Colostomy bags

The colostomy is a stoma which is created from a part of the large intestine. It is commonly located on the lower left side of the abdomen. Since the colostomy output is a firm and formed stool, the bag needed for it is a closed-end bag. This bag needs to be replaced a few times per day. if the output is more liquid, the bag that worn is usually drainable.

Ileostomy Bags

The ileostomy is a diversion in the small intestine. Its opening is made on the right side of the abdomen. Since this stoma output is loose and more liquid, it needs to be discarded frequently during a day.

Urostomy Bags

The urostomy is created when small intestine needs to be used for the diversion of urine from ureters. In this scenario, the bladder is either removed or bypassed. The urostomy pouch is attached to the right side of the abdomen.

Choosing right type of ostomy bag

It is very important to choose the right type of ostomy bag. Size is the first thing to consider here. Large bags are appropriate for night time waste collection because they can prevent leakage.

The two distinct types of appliances that you can consider here include one-piece and two-piece variations. You can ask your doctor what right type would be in your case.