Irrigating Your Colostomy
This article covers how to irrigate your descending or sigmoid colostomy.
Colostomy irrigation refers to the process of putting water into your colon through the stoma. As a result, you expel body wastes. You can irrigate your colostomy at the same time every day to train your bowels to function on a regular schedule. After irrigation, your stoma will not leak stools for 24 to 48 hours.
You can choose to irrigate your colostomy within an hour of having a meal. The process of stoma irrigation takes an hour to complete. It is worth noting that rushing the irrigation can turn out to be counterproductive.
You can choose to irrigate your colostomy within an hour of having a meal. The process of stoma irrigation takes an hour to complete. It is worth noting that rushing the irrigation can turn out to be counterproductive.
Instructions for colostomy irrigation
- First, you have to gather all the supplies required. Those supplies include an irrigation bag, tubing, cone tip, irrigation sleeve, water-based lubricant, stoma covering or colostomy pouch, washcloth or paper towel, and water.
- Set up all of these supplies on a countertop.
- You will need warm water to irrigate your colostomy. On the first day, use 250ml of water. Use 500ml on the second day. Use 750ml on the third day. And from the fourth day onward, you will need to use 1000ml of water. You can discuss the amount of water with your ostomy care nurse.
- To remove air from the irrigation system, run some water through it. Once the air is removed, place a clamp on the tubing.
- Sit on the toilet or a chair next to the toilet. Make sure that the irrigation bag is at the height of your shoulder. Ideally, this bag should be eight inches above your stoma.
- Remove the colostomy bag from the stoma and snap on the irrigation sleeve. Place the other end of the sleeve in the toilet.
- Use water-based lubricant on the tip of the cone.
- Insert that lubricated tip into the stoma. Make sure to put it at an angle that allows water to run in the natural direction of the colon.
- You may need to hold the top in place for a couple of minutes before starting the irrigation. Relax your abdominal muscles by taking a slow and deep breath.
- Release the clamp slowly to allow water to flow into the stoma. You will feel bloated once all of the water has flown into the stoma. If water flows around the cone tip or doesn’t go into the stoma, you may need to adjust the angle of the cone tip. Avoid pushing the cone tip into the colostomy. If you have cramps, stop the water flow, take some deep breaths, and rub your abdominal muscles. Check the height of the irrigation bag. If the irrigation bag is too high, increasing water pressure can cause cramps. Check the clamp and reset it. Make sure that water is not flowing too rapidly.
- Close the clamp when the irrigation bag is empty. Remove the cone tip from the stoma and set all supplies, except for the irrigation sleeve, aside. Close the top of the irrigation sleeve.
- Water and stools will start passing out of the stoma five minutes after the irrigation process. It may take 30 to 45 minutes for your bowel to be empty of stools.
- Once your colostomy is empty, remove the sleeve and snap on a colostomy pouch. Wash your hands.
- Clean your irrigation supplies with warm water. Make sure not to use hot water as it can damage the plastic.