brought to the skin surface. This opening in the colon may occur anywhere along its length. The end of the colon brought to the skin surface is called the stoma, a Greek word for “opening.” The stoma becomes the exit for all bowel movements and gas. Having a colostomy should not affect your ability to eat and digest food.
Since there is no muscle around the stoma, you are not able to control when stool passes out of your body. Therefore, an odor-proof pouch is applied to your skin, around the stoma, and collects the stool and gas. (Pouches are discussed on page 7.)
A colostomy is done when part of the colon or rectum needs to be removed or bypassed. A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. Conditions that may lead to a colostomy, include:
■ Injury, accidents or birth defects to the colon. ■ Diverticulitis.
■ In ammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
■ Tumor of the colon or rectum.