Ostomy is a delicate topic that affects hundreds of Bermudians and the association founded as a support is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. The Ostomy Association of Bermuda is a registered charity and support group for those affected by the surgery. Ostomy surgery involves intestinal or urinary diversion — it is a man-made opening into the body. People who have had the surgery are ostomates.Current president Lynn John said there’s no way to know exactly how many Bermudians are affected because it is something many people do not want to divulge.

The Ostomy Association of Bermuda has about 50 members who are committed to help educate and act as a support for ostomates and their families. “Most people who have had an ostomy surgery would have had either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. It should be noted that this is not hereditary and affects all ages,” said Ms John. “She said the association assists ostomates in regaining self-esteem as they have an altered body image after the operation.

“We teach care of the ostomy, maintenance of skin integrity, good nutrition and care of prosthesis,” she added. “Three main problems that a person with an ostomy may experience from time to time are skin irritation, odour and leakage.”

Ms John said the association offers a free service of visiting new ostomates.

“When one has had an ostomy surgery performed locally we arrange a member to visit and then follow-up with telephone calls so that they find out first hand the change that has taken place and how to manage. Ostomy patients can still live an active and productive life,” she said.

The Ostomy Association meets every two months at TB Cancer and Health Association’s office at 46 Point Finger Road, Paget on Sundays at 3 p.m. during the months of February, April and June (AGM), October and December.

For information on joining the Association you can write to PO Box 22881,Hamilton HM JX or call president Lynn John on 236-6272.

What exactly is an ostomy?

An ostomy is a man-made opening into the body. An abdominal ostomy is the passageway a surgeon constructs through the abdominal wall as an exit for body waste — faeces or urine. Such a change becomes necessary when the normal channel of elimination cannot be used because of illness, accident or birth defect. A new outlet must be developed. There are thousands world-wide who undergo these procedures.

There are three general categories of ostomies:

■ Colostomy — the rerouting (permanent or temporary) of the colon (large intestine).

■ Ileostomy — rerouting the ileum (the last section of the small intestine).

■ Urostomy — a general term covering a number of different surgical procedures to redirect urine to the outside of the body when the bladder (or occasionally another part of the urinary tract) must be bypassed or removed, or when nerves do not control the discharge or urine.

The most common ostomies are colostomy and ileostomy — involving the digestive tract and depending for their success on its amazing ability to adapt to change.

Everything we eat, from apple pie and steak to pizza, yams and zucchini, must be chewed into simpler particles, which can be absorbed into the blood stream. The resulting nutrients make their way to cells throughout the body, thus providing constant fuel and materials for energy, growth and rebuilding. This complex process of digestion takes place in the long twisting internal canal known as the digestive tract, alimentary canal or gut. Digestion starts in the mouth, where food is chewed and enzymes in the saliva begin the process. From there food goes via the oesophagus to the stomach.

The food proceeds into the small intestine, where substances from the liver and the pancreas further the process, breaking down even the most exotic foods into simple sugars, amino acids and fatty acids.

By the time food reaches the colon (large intestine or large bowel), most of the nourishment has been absorbed. Here the major tasks are absorbing water and some mineral salts, and transporting and storing the indigestible remains of the food in the lower part of the colon and the rectum. At the far end of the versatile winding digestive tract, the anus is a ring-like sphincter which opens to release the faeces.

The digestive tract is surrounded by smooth muscles which contract and expand, thus helping food move from one end of the tract to the other by the rhythmic waves known as peristalsis. Usually, the whole process of digestion is so automatic and so efficient that we forget its marvellous complexity.

Occasionally, there is a massive breakdown in the system. The intestine may be blocked, completely or partially, by cancer, injury or birth defect. Or food may rush through the digestive tract so quickly that there is little chance for nutrients to be absorbed: in severe inflammatory bowel disease, the person may be starving. In all these cases, an ostomy may become necessary.Submitted by the Ostomy Association of Bermuda.

Ostomates can live active lives