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Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 27 May 2011
Results from a new survey show that those with colostomy pouches face a noise issue which can affect their quality of life.
A colostomy may be needed as a result of abdominal surgery for conditions such as Crohn's disease, colitis or more commonly cancer - and can even result from complications of childbirth. It means that instead of going to the loo 'normally' those affected have a `stoma' or opening created in their abdomen and use a pouch to collect bodily waste which is emptied and changed regularly.
Although many people responding to the survey report that they do not notice pouch noise, a large proportion - almost 70 per cent - state they are conscious of the noise their pouch makes including almost 16 per cent who said they notice it 'a lot.'
As many as 40 per cent are embarrassed by the noise of their pouch and 15 per cent avoid going out in public in case people hear the noise. Almost half said 'life would be easier' if the pouch was quieter.
A fifth say pouch noise affects their sex life and 18 per cent say it affects their relationships. More than 80 per cent of responders were either married or in a relationship. Three-quarters were aged 70 or under, including 18 per cent under 50.
Despite this, three-quarters of responders who are embarrassed by their pouch noise have not mentioned this problem to their specialist nurse. Other issues include mood with a third saying that pouch noise affects how they feel and 26 per cent report that it impacts on their social life.
The taboo does appear to be reducing, as the survey shows 64 per cent are happy to discuss their situation with friends and 43 per cent with colleagues.
But almost a fifth are still not comfortable discussing it with a partner. More than half of partners say they, too, notice the noise; 14 per cent are embarrassed by it in public and say it restricts what they do. Almost a third say life would be easier for them without the noise.
The survey, sponsored by the healthcare company Hollister, assessed quality of life factors such as social life, relationships, holidays and work and was completed by 76 users of pouches and their partners, via the Colostomy Association's website and by face-to-face interviews. Overall, responders had been living with a pouch from between six months to 30 years with the majority needing a colostomy as a result of cancer.
The charity believes there are 110,000 people in the UK who have a stoma and use bags to collect bodily waste as a result of cancer or other conditions and more than 6,400 permanent colostomy operations are performed each year.
In the survey, the responders describe the noise as a 'ruffling' commenting that it made them feel uncomfortable in close proximity with others - even leading to relationship breakdowns and issues at work in some cases.
It is not just older people who need a colostomy. Yvonne Cole, 21, from Somerset, has been using a colostomy bag for over a year as a result of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. "Noise has been an issue for me in the past", explains Yvonne. "It always sounded as though I was wearing a carrier bag when I moved around and people would stop and stare at me. I was also very conscious of the bulkiness of the pouches as I am quite small. I am now using new noise reducing pouches which are much more discreet and have helped me a lot, and I am incredibly lucky that I have such a supportive family and fiancé."
Explains Rebecca Davenport, a specialist stoma nurse, "Many of the patients I meet have faced life threatening conditions which have resulted in the need for a colostomy. So not only do they have to come to terms with a serious illness and the impact this has on their life and the lives of their partners and families, but many also have psychological issues associated with their colostomy pouch, one of which is noise. I think many people feel that noise will be viewed as insignificant in the scale of things and are reluctant to discuss it with their nurse, but there are solutions we can offer them. Pouch noise is an issue and people should not be afraid to ask for help."
Source:
Colostomy Association
Original article posted on Medical News Today.
Articles not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Medical News Today publishes the latest health news and health videos for consumers and health professionals. It has a searchable archive of over 100,000 health news articles.
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=226742
Article Date: 27 May 2011
Results from a new survey show that those with colostomy pouches face a noise issue which can affect their quality of life.
A colostomy may be needed as a result of abdominal surgery for conditions such as Crohn's disease, colitis or more commonly cancer - and can even result from complications of childbirth. It means that instead of going to the loo 'normally' those affected have a `stoma' or opening created in their abdomen and use a pouch to collect bodily waste which is emptied and changed regularly.
Although many people responding to the survey report that they do not notice pouch noise, a large proportion - almost 70 per cent - state they are conscious of the noise their pouch makes including almost 16 per cent who said they notice it 'a lot.'
As many as 40 per cent are embarrassed by the noise of their pouch and 15 per cent avoid going out in public in case people hear the noise. Almost half said 'life would be easier' if the pouch was quieter.
A fifth say pouch noise affects their sex life and 18 per cent say it affects their relationships. More than 80 per cent of responders were either married or in a relationship. Three-quarters were aged 70 or under, including 18 per cent under 50.
Despite this, three-quarters of responders who are embarrassed by their pouch noise have not mentioned this problem to their specialist nurse. Other issues include mood with a third saying that pouch noise affects how they feel and 26 per cent report that it impacts on their social life.
The taboo does appear to be reducing, as the survey shows 64 per cent are happy to discuss their situation with friends and 43 per cent with colleagues.
But almost a fifth are still not comfortable discussing it with a partner. More than half of partners say they, too, notice the noise; 14 per cent are embarrassed by it in public and say it restricts what they do. Almost a third say life would be easier for them without the noise.
The survey, sponsored by the healthcare company Hollister, assessed quality of life factors such as social life, relationships, holidays and work and was completed by 76 users of pouches and their partners, via the Colostomy Association's website and by face-to-face interviews. Overall, responders had been living with a pouch from between six months to 30 years with the majority needing a colostomy as a result of cancer.
The charity believes there are 110,000 people in the UK who have a stoma and use bags to collect bodily waste as a result of cancer or other conditions and more than 6,400 permanent colostomy operations are performed each year.
In the survey, the responders describe the noise as a 'ruffling' commenting that it made them feel uncomfortable in close proximity with others - even leading to relationship breakdowns and issues at work in some cases.
It is not just older people who need a colostomy. Yvonne Cole, 21, from Somerset, has been using a colostomy bag for over a year as a result of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. "Noise has been an issue for me in the past", explains Yvonne. "It always sounded as though I was wearing a carrier bag when I moved around and people would stop and stare at me. I was also very conscious of the bulkiness of the pouches as I am quite small. I am now using new noise reducing pouches which are much more discreet and have helped me a lot, and I am incredibly lucky that I have such a supportive family and fiancé."
Explains Rebecca Davenport, a specialist stoma nurse, "Many of the patients I meet have faced life threatening conditions which have resulted in the need for a colostomy. So not only do they have to come to terms with a serious illness and the impact this has on their life and the lives of their partners and families, but many also have psychological issues associated with their colostomy pouch, one of which is noise. I think many people feel that noise will be viewed as insignificant in the scale of things and are reluctant to discuss it with their nurse, but there are solutions we can offer them. Pouch noise is an issue and people should not be afraid to ask for help."
Source:
Colostomy Association
Original article posted on Medical News Today.
Articles not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Medical News Today publishes the latest health news and health videos for consumers and health professionals. It has a searchable archive of over 100,000 health news articles.
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=226742
