Welcome to our second series of articles working in conjunction with our team of nurses to focus on topics that you may or may not be familiar with. Whether you are a new ostomate or you have had your
stoma for several years, this could really benefit you.
So, in this edition, we are going to talk about Ballooning.
We know that excess air or ‘ballooning’ can be a challenge for ostomates, and recently our Community Stoma Nurse, Lynette, helped a patient with a ‘ballooning’ problem. Ballooning happens when the wind from your stoma collects inside your pouch causing it to inflate or balloon. This can be caused by a blocked pouch filter, a wet pouch filter or dietary issues.
Lynette’s patient had her right hemicolectomy and formation of her ileostomy in August 2018 as a result of colorectal cancer. The patient found her bag would fill with air, particularly overnight, this greatly disturbed her sleep, affecting her anxiety, depression and ultimately quality of life.
Lynette suspected the cause of her excess air to be a blockage of the filter from the stoma output when laying down. Lynette introduced the Osto-EZ-Vent® to the patient and showed her how to use them. Initially, the patient had some issues placing the Osto-EZ-Vent® on the pouch effectively, due to both the patient’s dexterity issues from shaking with anxiety, gout in her hands and poor eyesight.
To help overcome these difficulties, Lynette arranged for Respond to place the Osto-EZ-Vent® onto her bag prior to delviery. The patient found they reduced the amount of time she would wake in the night and they allowed for easy release of air from the pouch. She reported that she had regained her confidence and was able to start going out of her home for the first time since surgery and continues to use Osto-EZ-Vent®
Osto-EZ-Vent® is an air release device and is specifically designed without a filter to enable you to quickly release air that has built up in the pouch causing it to balloon. It’s easy to install, bonds permanently to any pouch, is waterproof and lasts for as long as the pouch is worn. It also prevents pouches from bursting and flanges from pulling loose. Because the Osto-EZ-Vent® is not a filter, it works efficiently and is not made ineffective by water. Also great for those who experience pancaking and need more air inside the pouch Osto-EZ-Vent® is also suitable for neo-natal, infant and fistula pouches, and wound drainage bags.
Features and benefits
• Easy to open and close
• Convenient and simple
• Helps minimise accidents
• Lasts the lifetime of the pouch
• Helpful with both ballooning and pancaking
How can this help YOU?
- Do you wake up in the morning to find your bag has ballooned over night?
- Does your bag balloon after eating foods or after drinking fizzy drinks?
- Does your bag inflate during a long-haul flight?
- Do you experience pancaking?
- Do you find that you need to change your pouch as a results of ballooning?
- Do you get embarrassed when your ballooned pouch is noticeable under your clothing?
If you have answered yes to ANY of the above, then Osto-EZ-Vent® could help. Sample yours today. Simply click on the icon below.
Disclaimer: If you are experiencing any further problems, you may wish to discuss this further with your Stoma Care Nurse.
