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Combating Leakage: Some Products You May Not Be Aware Of
I’m pleased to announce that the Ostomyland Editorial #2 is now available – it is also being added to our Lifestyle Guide as it is a look at the current product ranges available to the ostomate to help combat leakage from a variety causes. It also helps you determine the cause of leakage, and offers advice on what you can do to help ease the problems caused by leaks themselves.
For the full article, please visit chapter 17b from the lifestlye guide menu, or visit this link.
We’d love to read your comments on the article, so please feel free to leave your thoughts on what we’ve written about combating leakage via the comments form, or Facebook comments box at the bottom of the Combat Leakage page. Dont foget to “like” the page if you, um, like it. 
I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year, and a happy and prosperous 2012.
Useful Links:
Ostomyland Editoral #2: Combat Leakage – Some Products You May Not Be Aware Of
http://ostomyland.com/mainsite/combating-leakage-some-products-you-may-not-be-aware-of/
Ostomyland Lifestyle Guide: Chapter 17 – Leakage / Skin Problems
http://ostomyland.com/mainsite/chapter-17-leakage-and-other-skin-problems/
UK Colostomates invited to complete a stoma care survey for Birmingham City University.
Anyone who has received a copy of the Spring 2011 issue of the Colostomy Associations Tidings magazine will have noticed that a survey was included. You dont have to be a recipient of Tidings to complete the survey though, as you can complete it online via the Colostomy Association website. You can find the survey page here:
http://bit.ly/ostomysurvey
Professor Joy Notter, from Birmingham City University says the following in the survey’s welcome letter:
The survey has been designed to find out what impact a colostomy has [...on the patient's...] life. The aim is to collect information that can form the basis of research to help specialist nurses and other healthcare professionals provide the best possible support and care for both new patients and those who have had a stoma for a long time.
Personally, I think that this survey is an excellent opportunity. I’m hoping that it will help lay to rest some of the over-exaggerated effects of a colostomy are, and that for most people having a stoma does not negatively impact on their life in any considerable way. Yes, we all have teething problems at the start, but overall I think it’s fair to say that today’s colostomates have never had it better thanks to the scientific advancements in surgery, appliances (pouches etc) and in the personal care we patients receive as a direct result of surveys such as this one here.
You may not agree with me (but I hope you do), and we may find the results show something totally different, but either way I hope you’ll consider completing the survey. It’s an excellent opportunity for colostomates to have their voices heard; to say where things are great, and where things could do with more work. And that can only be a good thing.
Bowel Trainer
This is a new ostomy continence control device invented by
Michael Playdon. It has the potential to reduce the need
for ostomy bag use, thus giving permanent colostomates
greater independence and freedom of movement.
Ten devices and ten placebos were referred to Clinical Physics for risk assessment and were passed as safe. A nurse-led trial of the device is scheduled for early 2011 involving patients of Barts and the London NHS Trust.
Published in: enteric – The Function Healthcare Technology Co-operative News, Autumn 2010
WCET Conference Announcement – Australia 2012
The World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) Conference for 2012 has been announced. It’s being held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia on the 19th to the 23rd April 2012.
From the WCET website:
“The WCET provides an international forum for Enterostomal Therapy Nurses and a global vehicle for discussion, communication, research, advice and support in the field of Enterostomal Therapy Nursing. The WCET is focused on leading the global advancement of specialised professional nursing care for people with ostomy, wound or continence needs.”
For more information on the upcoming conference, and the WCET itself, please visit their website.
Useful Links:
WCET Website: http://www.wcetn.org/
Study finds daily aspirin cuts many cancer risks
A daily aspirin may help to prevent many cancers, including bowel cancer.
The recommended dose is a quarter of the strength of those used to treat headaches. Professor Peter Elwood (an epidemiologist from Cardiff University, who carried out some of the first studies into the effects of aspirin on health) said taking aspirin at night and with calcium seemed to enhance its effects. He suggested taking it with a glass of milk as this could also reduce stomach irritation.
Aspirin is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, especially from the digestive track, and can aggravate certain medical conditions such as IBD. Patients with Crohn’s Disease, for example, and usually advised not to take it.
The study indicates that by taking aspirin for between four and eight years the protective effect continued for 20 years in both men and women.
The study does not suggest that we should all start taking aspirin. For each of us, our risk of developing cancer should be balanced against the risk of taking aspirin. And they advise that we discuss it with our GP. One important factor (in my opinion) is to ask about any possible drug interaction between aspirin and other medications we may be on.
The study is in The Lancet and also in many of today’s papers. One link to it is here:
Small daily aspirin dose ‘cuts cancer risk’
Crohns Disease and Beyond – An Ebook
Crohns Disease and Beyond is an ebook about living with the disease, based on the experiences of its author, Julie, who has had an ileostomy due to the disease for over 12 years now.
“I’ve written an ebook about my experiences dealing with the Disease and surgery etc, which I really hope is inspirational to others in a similar position” says Julie. “My book is for sale from my website and a £1 from the sale of each book goes to IBD research.”
For more information, and to buy a copy of Julie’s E-Book please visit: crohnsdiseaseandbeyond.co.uk
Stems Cells From Bones Helps Heal Crohns Disease
It is reported that around 120,000 people in the UK suffer from Crohn’s disease. For years patients have been hoping for a cure for this disease, and finally it seems one may have been found thanks to a pioneering stem cell treatment which has been tested and produced some very positive results.
A 21 year old student from Devonhas been one of the first to undergo the procedure.
For the full story please visit the following page on the Daily Mail (UK) website:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1276821/Me-operation-Stem-cells-bones-healed-gut.html#ixzz0nicQV2FK
Call for bowel cancer screening
The BBC is reporting that a brief one-off test screening for bowel cancer could prevent thousands of people dying from the disease each year – cutting the death rate by a staggering 43%.
The study that the BBC is reporting about was published in medical journal The Lancet which also suggests that these tests should be rolled out across the UK.
For the full report please check out Clare Murphy’s report on the BBC News website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8647103.stm
