How To Improve Sleep Quality With An Ostomy

Trouble sleeping due to worries about rolling over the pouch or leakage is not an uncommon issue. Most new ostomates have this concern. The good thing is that you can consider different options to improve sleep quality with an ostomy.

Tips to improve post-ostomy sleep quality

Is it possible to have good sleep quality with an ostomy? Yes, but you might have to make some adjustments to make sure that you do not get up abruptly from sleep. The type of adjustments will depend on the procedure you have had.

A few tips that may help you have a worry-free sleep at night with an ostomy include the following.

1. To prevent rolling on your ostomy pouch, you may want to put pillows on your sides.
2. You will want your ostomy pouch to remain tightly held against your abdomen, so you may want to wear a little snug shirt.
3. If possible, sleep on your back. It will help you prevent rolling on your pouch.
4. Before going to bed, you might want to empty your pouch. It will help you prevent having to get up in the middle of the night due to the risk of leakage.

Pouching options for different types of ostomies

Using the right type of ostomy pouch is the key to prevent leakages and other issues related to ostomy care. There is a wide range of ostomy supplies available to meet the requirements of all types of ostomies. To make ostomy care even more effective and comfortable, you may want to use different accessories.

Now, we will discuss different options for different surgery types.

Urostomy surgery

If you have a urostomy, you are going to have to use an ostomy pouch, which will be different from ones used to manage intestinal ostomies. The valve at the bottom of a urostomy pouch allows you to attach a night drainage system, which collects urine from the pouch while you sleep. The most significant benefit of this drainage system is that it eliminates the need to get up during the night, even if you have a high output.

Ileostomy or colostomy surgery

With a colostomy or ileostomy, you might have to get up in any part of the night to empty your ostomy pouch. Aside from emptying your pouch before going to bed, you may have to follow some dietary precautions to avoid the pouch overfill. The dietary adjustment may involve avoiding eating at particular times to prevent the stoma from functioning during the night. You can discuss this situation with your doctor to get some additional tips regarding the dietary adjustment to improve the quality of your life. As far as ostomy care is concerned, you will want to discuss it with an ostomy care nurse. He or she will give you suggestions regarding the ostomy pouch management to improve sleep quality.

Adjusting to life with an ostomy can take time, but once you adapt to this bowel change, you will be able to live to the fullest.