OSTOMY OUTPUT

What to do if your ostomy output becomes thin, watery, or greatly increases in volume:

• Never limit your fluid intake in order to thicken the drainage, since this can lead to dehydration.
• Avoid food which you know from experience makes drainage too loose and too frequent.
• Begin a low-residue diet, avoiding especially green beans, broccoli, spinach, highly spiced foods, raw fruits and beer.
• Add strained bananas, applesauce, boiled rice, tapioca, boiled milk and peanut butter to your diet.
• Pretzels help in thickening and add bulk to the drainage. The salt, also, helps to stimulate thirst.
• Many people lack an enzyme which is responsible for the metabolism of milk sugar (lactose). This condition can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea and cramping. The elimination of milk products may cause a dramatic improvement in the symptoms.

What to do if your ostomy output becomes thick, or if you develop constipation:

• Increase your fluid consumption, especially fruit juices.
• Increase the amount of cooked fruits and vegetables you are consuming.
• Very few foods need to be omitted from your diet because of fear of food blockage. Perhaps more important than the food in avoiding blockages is chewing well. You can reduce your intake of foods which are very high in fiber, and foods with seeds that are hard to digest if they appear to be a problem. Examples are Chinese vegetables, raw onions, nuts, pineapples, corn-on-the-cob, raw carrots, raisins, celery, mushrooms, popcorn, coconut macaroons and coleslaw.