Heat Concerns for Ostomates

 

Articles Included:

·        Summer Fluid Needs

·        Hints for Summer

·        Adjust to Summer Conditions

·        Summer Heat Concerns

·        Heat Waves

 

Summer Fluid Needs

By Eileen Carter, RN/ET

 

Summertime is a time of increased physical activity and weather extremes.  We can prevent life-threatening heat related injuries, such as the deaths from the heat wave Chicago experienced in 1995, by taking small precautions.

 

Risks:

·        Being out in the full sun.

·        An unusual amount of physical exertion.

·        High humidity.

·        Working or standing near furnaces or ovens.

·        Recent flu or high doses of water pills.

·        Aging changes.   Decreased thirst sensation leading often to lowered fluid intake.

·        Ileostomy.   It requires two to four more cups of fluid each day because of high liquid output.

 

The process by which your body fights heat:

During this process, extra fluids are needed to keep your important organs from being deprived.

 

·        You perspire losing salt and water.

·        Your body brings the circulation near the skin to release heat and cool off.

 

Early signs of trouble:

 

·        Dark, odorous urine.

·        Profuse sweating.

·        Difficulty concentrating.

 

Signs of serious trouble:

 

·        Trembling.

·        Vomiting.

·        Headache.

·        Rapid breathing.

·        Pale, hot and/or dry skin.

·        Confusion.

·        Lack of appetite.

·        Dizziness.

 

Treatment:

 

·        Go to the shade.

·        Lie down with your feet up.

·        Apply cold water to your body.  i.e. Cover yourself with soaked towels.

·        Remove excess clothing.

·        Call your doctor, if the symptoms are not relieved in a few minutes.

 

Prevention:

 

·        Drink fluids before going out to summer activities.

·        Favor water, fruit or vegetable juice, and sport drinks over alcohol and/or caffeine beverages.

·        Choose cold drinks.

·        Bring liquids with you and take frequent sips.

·        Drink ten glasses of water each day, and even more if you have an ileostomy or urostomy.

·        Stay in the shade.

·        Wear loose clothing, especially loose at your neck, wrist and ankles.

·        Keep your shirt on in the sun.

·        Don't self-prescribe salt pills, although ileostomates should maintain adequate salt intake.

 

Hints for Summer

--Loraine County Chapter & Metro MD

 

Do not expect to get the same wear time in the summer as you do in the fall, winter, or spring.  If your barrier melts out faster, change the pouch more frequently.  If wear time is very poor, have your ET nurse recommend a different skin barrier or an alternative ostomy system.  If the plastic from the pouch against your skin is uncomfortable or causes a heat rash, purchase or sew a pouch cover.  Some people simply secure a cotton handkerchief underneath the pouch. 

 

If you are wearing a two-piece system and are participating in very active sports, use a 10" strip of 2" or 3" tape to secure the pouch and the barrier.  Be sure to drink plenty of liquids, unless contraindicated because of other health problems, so that you will not become dehydrated or constipated.  For extra security during swimming and water sports, use waterproof or "pink" tape to fix your pouch.

 

Monila(fungus) is a common summer problem.  This raised, itchy red rash on the peristomal skin is uncomfortable and keeps the pouch from holding well.  If you suspect a monilial rash, contact your ET nurse, pharmacist or physician as soon as possible for a suitable micro-granulated anti-fungal powder. Osto-Tip…skin barriers should be only stored in a cool dry place to obtain optimal results.   Most have a shelf life from manufacture of four to five years.

 

 

Adjust to Summer Conditions

for Ostomy Security

--Rambling Rosebud

 

As thoughts turn to warm weather, picnics, gardening, swimming and summer fun, here are some hints for maintaining a trouble-free ostomy:

 

*          Don't expect to get the same pouch wearing times as you do in fall, winter or spring.   If your

wafer or ring skin barrier melts out faster, change the pouch more frequently.   If wear times

are very poor, ask your ET nurse to recommend a different skin barrier.

 

*          If plastic against your skin is uncomfortable, or causes a heat rash, purchase or sew a pouch

cover.

 

*          If you are wearing a two-piece system and are participating in very active sports, use a 9" long strip of 2" or  3" wide tape to secure the pouch and the barrier.

 

*          Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, unless contraindicated because of other health problems, so you won't get dehydrated or constipated.

 

*          For extra security during swimming or water sports, use waterproof or "pink" tape to fix your pouch.

 

Monilia is a common summer problem.  It is basically a yeast infection.  This raised, itchy red rash on the peristomal skin is uncomfortable and keeps a pouch from holding well.  If you suspect a monilial rash, contact your physician as soon as possible for a prescription for anti-monila powder.

 

Editor's note:  Often prescribed is Micostatin--put some directly on your peristomal skin, and pat down with the skin barrier. Do not wipe it down, pat it down in place.  Then put on your wafer. In a few applications (pouch changes) the rash should disappear.  Do not use Micostatin on a constant basis.  Use only as needed.  Check with your pharmacy to get a bottle with the longest  expiration date.  At about $8 for an ounce, which will last a very long time, get the longest expiration date you can.  Your pharmacist my substitute another micro-granulated anti-fungal powder.  There are many excellent brands on the market that will provide excellent results for us.

 

Summer Heat Concerns

By The New Outlook, Chicago's North Suburban Chapter UOA

 

Summer Heat Tip:

 

To help prevent the heat of the sun from warming your clothing to the point that the wafer starts to melt, consider placing a washcloth over your pouch/flange.   Then, let your clothing hold it in place.  Clip it to your clothing as needed.

 

An Arizona ostomate says that they place a thick white towel over their lap while driving, or sitting outside in a lawn chair.  This helps keep some of the heat from the sun getting to the wafer, reduces leaks due to the flange melting, and extends wafer wear time.

 

Don't make your own stress in the summer heat:

 

If you are on a trip, and you have enough activities that you are tempted to try to make your pouch stretch just one more day, "just say no".   Rather than have stress while visiting some location, wondering if you can sneak by with no leaks, take the time to change to a fresh flange and pouch before you go.  Then you can really enjoy the activities without that nagging doubt in the back of your mind.   Have fun.

 

Making your own sport's drink:

 

No matter how fancy the bottle, most major sports drinks are surprisingly simple in composition. For minimal cost, one may purchase the ingredients, and mix your own thirst quencher.   Here are two recipes:

 

Mix 8 ounces of water, not sparkling water, with

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¼ teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons sugar

           

            Or,

           

                        Mix 32 ounces of orange juice, frozen or fresh, with

                        4 teaspoon white Karo syrup

                        1 teaspoon salt

                        1 teaspoon baking soda

 

            These drinks may be stored in your refrigerator for a few days and still be pretty fresh.

 

Heat Waves

--The Detour

 

Our bodies use several mechanisms to combat the heat in order to protect our vital organs.  The capillaries which lie near the skin's surface enlarge, and the heart pumps more blood losing heat to the outside skin area. 

 

Sweating with the accompanying evaporation is our greatest air conditioning system.  But high humidity reduces the evaporation process.

 

Profuse sweating flushes out valuable electrolytes, and you may become dehydrated.  You may not be able to stay cool, but you can do things to enhance your health.

 

Zoo keepers report that animals know exactly what to do during a heat wave … nothing.  This is certainly no time to cut down a tree or weed your garden; those things can wait for better days.  Every motion you make generates body heat, so do as little as possible. 

 

Eat less food in the hot weather, and go easy on high protein foods.  The most important thing of all especially for ostomates is to drink plenty of fluids.  Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink for that is a sign that you are running behind on what you need.

 

Although iced coffee, iced tea and colas are delightful on a hot day, they really should be avoided.  The caffeine in these drinks is a diuretic and dries out the body.  Alcoholic drinks should only be consumed in moderation.  Their toxic effects may be enhanced leading to illness or serious complications.

 

Drink plenty of water, juices and maybe even Gatorade type sports drinks.  Ostomates have enough problems with dehydration; don't let summertime bring you down.  And above all—stay out of the sun.

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