DOWNLOAD COURSE
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Overview of Common Ostomy Diversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Bowel Diversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Bladder Diversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
DIETARY GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Basic Food Groups Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Digestion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Absorption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Metabolism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Bowel Functions/Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Vitamins and Minerals Absorption Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Super Nutrients Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
GENERAL GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ileostomy & Colostomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Food Journal Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Continent Diversions (bowel surgery) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Important Tips for Continent Diversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Urostomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Urine pH Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Electrolyte Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fluid and Electrolyte Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Preparing and Utilizing Electrolyte Drinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
OSTOMATES FOOD REFERENCE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
MEDICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Ileostomy Absorption Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Medication and the Ostomate Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides some basic information about the effects ostomy surgery has
on digestion and food absorption. After healing is complete and the ostomy is
functioning normally, most people with ostomies can return to a normal diet. If you
have a special diet because of heart disease, diabetes or other health problems, you
should ask your doctor about a diet that will work with both that problem and your
ostomy. More detailed information about any special dietary and nutritional needs can
be obtained through a registered dietitian (nutrition specialist) and your doctor.
Overview of Common Ostomy Diversions
The following is an overview of common ostomy diversions that will help you
better understand their effect on the digestive system. Both fecal and urinary
diversions interrupt the normal process of elimination and will have some influence on
its function.
Bowel Diversions
Colostomy: A portion of the large intestine is removed or by-passed. The remaining
portion of the functioning large intestine (colon) is brought through the abdominal
wall, creating a stoma.
Ileostomy: The entire colon, rectum, and anus are removed or by-passed. The
small intestine (ileum) is brought through the abdominal wall, creating a stoma.
Continent Ileostomy (abdominal pouch): An internal reservoir with a nipple valve is
constructed from a section of small intestine and the valve is brought through the
abdominal wall to create a stoma for intubation to empty the reservoir/pouch.
Ileoanal Reservoir/Pelvic Pouch: A pelvic pouch/reservoir is constructed from small
intestine, which is brought down and attached to the anus. Evacuation is through
the anus.
Bladder Diversions
Urostomy: The bladder is removed or bypassed. A conduit is constructed from a
segment of small intestine into which ureters are implanted and brought through the
abdominal wall and an external stoma is created.
Continent Urinary Reservoir: The bladder is removed or bypassed. An internal
reservoir is constructed from a segment of the small or large intestine into which the
ureters are implanted and a stoma is created for intubation to empty the reservoir/
pouch.
