How to... unblock a stoma

If you have a stoma, you may find the thought of a stoma blockage quite frightening. Completely understandable! Stoma blockages can certainly cause severe discomfort. Generally, they do not and can be resolved quite simply.

What is a blocked stoma?

The most obvious sign of a blocked stoma is the discharge. So if you notice a change in the regularity of your stool, this may indicate constipation.

Indications for a blocked stoma

There are basically two types of blockage: a partial blockage and a complete blockage. A partial blockage occurs when a small amount of fluid can still pass through the blockage. This usually leads to a liquid, slimey, and smelly discharge from your stoma. With a complete blockage, nothing comes out of the stoma at all.

For a person with a colostomy, a blockage could happen over several days and may or may not be obvious. It is therefore quite possible that you may not even be aware of an impending blockage.

For a person with an ileostomy, a blockage can happen fairly quickly and usually without any signs. As you pass output regularly throughout the day with an ileostomy, it is usually very alarming when your stoma pouch is empty.

Another symptoms of a blocked stoma are the following:

Stomach ache

Swollen abdomen

Nausea

The stoma itself might start to show signs of swelling or colour change

Dry mouth

A decrease in urine output

In severe cases – vomiting

Deal with a blocked stoma

If you suspect a stoma blockage, this is nothing to worry about at first. However, you should speak to your stoma care nurse or GP as soon as possible. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can clear most blockages by yourself.

Tips & Tricks

Increase the amount of fluids you are drinking.

Choose fresh fruit juices in addition to water and hot tea.

Sometimes carbonated drinks may help.

Gently massage around your stoma to try to encourage the blockage to work its way out

Have hot bath or try using a heat pad, as this may help your abdominal muscles relax so you can pass a bowel movement.

If your stoma appears more swollen than usual, it may worth checking if the hole of your pouch needs to be cut slightly larger.

Try lying down and lifting your knees to your chest, rolling gently from side to side.

For people with a colostomy: your GP or stoma care nurse may prescribe some laxatives and don’t forget to drink plenty of water with these as it will help them work better.

Keep mobile as this will help your digestion and therefore help with the blockage.

Should I avoid any particular foods if I have blocked stoma?

If you have a blocked stoma, it is important to reduce the foods you are eating but you MUST increase your fluid intake.

Try to avoid those foods:

Raw food (fruit & vegetables)

Dried fruit

Nuts & seeds

Fibre-containing foods (pineapple, rhubarb, asparagus, mushrooms, white cabbage, tough meat, ...)

Popcorn

What do I do if the home remedies have not worked?

If you experience this:

Abdominal cramps become more severe

No output from the stoma for 8-12 hours

Signs of dehydration

Vomiting

Please call 112 or ask a friend or family member to drive you to your local hospital. Do NOT wait to seek medical attention.

What will happen at the hospital?

The doctor will ask you about your medical and surgical history. A physical examination will be done and an x-ray will be performed. It may be that the doctor will ask for CT scan to be performed also, depending on what can be seen on the x-ray. Blood tests will be taken if the doctor thinks you are dehydrated and intravenous fluids may be given to you.

A nasogastric tube may be inserted through your nose into your stomach to prevent you from vomiting and to relieve your stomach. Because of this, you may have to stay in hospital for a few days or until the blockage in the stoma has disappeared. You will most likely be medically advised not to eat anything until your stomach is fully functional again. You will then be introduced to eating very slowly and monitored for any problems. An operation is usually the last resort if the constipation cannot be resolved.

This could also be interesting for you …

Some of the most common stoma problems

Infected stoma – Everything you need to know

Stigma surrounding stomas – What can we do to break the taboo?

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