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Everybody gets some form of heartburn from time to time, but as we get older, it often seems to be more frequent and more severe. Reflux esophagitis refers to a backup of stomach contents into the lower esophagus, where the stomach acids produce a burning sensation. It is commonly known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

I had ulcerative colitis for 14 years before I became so ill that my colon had to be removed. I was so afraid of having an ostomy that I postponed treatment and nearly died. Knowing my feelings about ostomies, my doctor performed a rarely done straight ileoanal anostomosis when he couldn’t make me a J-pouch. I lived three years of hell with that “straight shot” and had an ileostomy installed in December, 1996. It was the best Christmas I ever gave myself!

Ostomy Help more FAQ Question: How soon after ostomy surgery can I return to a normal diet? Answer: Physicians and ostomy nurses suggest that you begin slowly, depending upon your recovery and/or other medical complications. Add back one new food at a time. If you experience any problems, discontinue for a few weeks and try again.

Ostomy Help: Salt and your Ileostomy We have all heard about the dangers of taking in too much salt in our diet I am sure. Doctors have been warning us to lower our sodium intake and we see commercials on TV on a routine basis reminding us to lower our sodium. The same advice given for your general health also holds true for your health regarding your ileostomy.

Should I tell people I have an ostomy? In this world of internet searches, marketing scams, and identity theft, there are many types of people trying to find out information about you. Some of it may be beneficial, some not. Before you give out your personal information,

Irrigate Colostomy, ostomy irrigation Bowel control after a Colostomy depends in part on the nature of the colostomy and in part on the nature of the person. Patients with right-sided colostomies do not have as much remaining colon as those with a left-sided colostomy. Because of this, there is usually too little colon left to absorb enough water to make a solid stool.

Arthritis is the most common non-intestinal condition associated with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although most people with these diseases do not develop arthritis, three primary kinds may develop: Rheumatoid-like Arthritis:

As a patient with a new Urostomy, we are sure you have many questions or concerns about your new medical appliance. With these tips we hope to alleviate some of your concerns and hopefully bring some helpful tips to make your new urostomy more manageable and easier to care for.

hether or not to include fiber, and to what extent, should be based on the ileostomates tolerance of foods. The intestine has a remarkable capacity to adapt. Digested food in the small intestine is quite watery, and after it moves into the large intestine, a good portion of the water is reabsorbed into the body. Most fiber is indigestible material (from plants) that acts like a sponge, soaking up water and increasing the bulk of the intestinal contents ­making matter move through the system more quickly.

Recently we posted a two-part article with tips to prevent medical errors in your medical care. As a follow up to this article, we found an article on the Mount Sinai Hospital website that promotes many of the same tips, as well as a few new ones for us!