A urostomy is a surgically created opening that allows urine to flow out of the body and drain into a pouch or bag. A urostomy is also known as a urinary diversion. Urine may drain through an ileal conduit or vesicostomy or ureterostomy. A urostomy is usually permanent, but may be temporary.

Your urostomy (ileal conduit/ileal loop, nephrostomy, vesicostomy) is NOT sterile! Wash the stoma and surrounding skin with soap and water then dry with toilet paper.

You can bath or shower with your pouch (bag) ON or OFF. The water cannot get inside your stoma. You may notice a little blood on touching the stoma whilst cleaning - this is NORMAL.

MEN - keep hair around the stoma trimmed or shaved. Hold toilet paper over the stoma whilst shaving to protect it.

The best time to change your pouch is in the morning prior to taking in fluids.

Empty your pouch when it approximately one-third full.

Certain foods are known to give urine an odour. ASPARAGUS is the worst culprit! Garlic, onions or fish may have the same effect but you can still eat and enjoy them as they do not harm you.

Drink plenty of fluid, especially in hot weather (at least 6 - 8 glasses.) Urine should always be pale yellow in colour. Threads of MUCOUS in your urine are NORMAL.

Concentrated urine is usually dark yellow/orange in colour and has a strong, unpleasant odour. Infection may be present if the PH is ALKALINE. Painful white crystals may develop around the stoma and surrounding skin. If this situation occurs, contact your stomaltherapist or urologist who will take a urine specimen for testing. You may require an antibiotic. If unable to see a specialist, drink CRANBERRY JUICE, or ask your chemist for Vitamin C 250 mg. tablets to be taken three times a day until the crystals clear. Ensure you drink at least 6 - 8 glasses of fluid per day. Soak pieces of cottonwool in white vinegar diluted with a small amount of water and place over the stoma to dissolve the crystals. Repeat as often as necessary. Vinegar may be placed inside the pouch and "washed" over the stoma.

TRAVELLING - your stomaltherapist will give you a TRAVELLING OSTOMY CARD noting your surgical/medical history and product used. Body searches are routine at many airports and ostomy card requests that a doctor be present should security staff feel your pouch and wish to search you further. Choose an aisle seat on the plane. Carry your ostomy supplies in your HAND LUGGAGE as your suitcase in the hold may go astray. Take more pouches than you would normally use in case you run out.

It is recommended that you visit your stomaltherapist every six months.

Don't be afraid to ask your stomaltherapist questions! You are a special individual and answers pertaining to your return to work, sport and sexuality will be tailor-made to suit you and your situation. FREE INFORMATION BOOKLETS ARE AVAILABLE.