How to Get Rid of Stoma Blockage

Living with a stoma means paying careful attention to your body’s signals. One in particular is the potential of a stoma blockage.

Knowing the warning signs of a stoma blockage, what to look for, how to treat it, and when to seek additional help is crucial for your health and overall comfort. We’ll run through those items in the section below.

What Causes Stoma Blockage?

A stoma blockage happens when food or other material gets stuck in your intestine, preventing normal output. Several things can cause a blockage. The most common cause is eating high-fiber foods that are difficult to digest. This can include things like beans, corn, nuts, etc.

Also, if you have inflammation (like inflammatory bowel disease) or small adhesions (either due to surgery or ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) that cause the passage to narrow, these can cause a stoma blockage.

Twisted bowels or an abdominal or parastomal hernia present complications, too.

Is a Blocked Stoma Dangerous?

Yes, a stoma blockage can become serious if not treated promptly. When waste can’t pass through your stoma, it backs up in your intestine. This backup can lead to severe pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, dehydration, and – in extreme cases – even bowel perforation.

Recognizing early warning signs is crucial for preventing serious complications. Watch for reduced or no stoma output, swelling around your stoma, stomach cramping, nausea, or your stoma looking darker than usual. These signs shouldn’t be ignored, as they can indicate a developing blockage that needs to be addressed.

How Long Can a Stoma Blockage Last?

It depends on how severe the blockage is. A partial blockage might resolve within a few hours using home remedies. However, a complete blockage requires immediate medical attention. 

Never wait longer than 12 hours with no output and symptoms, 24 hours with severely reduced output, or 6 hours if you’re experiencing severe pain or vomiting.

You should seek emergency care immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting, fever, no output for more than 24 hours, or if your stoma turns dark purple or black. These symptoms point to a serious situation that requires urgent medical intervention.

Stoma Blockage Treatment

If you suspect a blockage, start with some home remedies. First, remove your ostomy bag and check your stoma. Take a warm bath or shower to relax your muscles, then gently massage your abdomen clockwise. Try different positions to help get things moving – lie on your back with your knees bent, get on all fours with your bottom in the air, or walk around if you feel comfortable.

Fluid management and adequate hydration play a crucial role in treatment. Drink warm fluids like tea or broth, but avoid solid foods until the blockage clears. Take small sips frequently rather than large amounts. Sports drinks can help maintain electrolytes during this time.

If home remedies don’t work within a few hours, you’ll need professional treatment. Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and history and assess your situation. 

Sometimes, imaging tests are used to locate the blockage and understand what’s going on to paint a clearer picture of the course of action.

Preventing Future Blockages

Prevention is always better than treatment. The key to preventing blockages starts with proper food management. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Chew all food thoroughly. It may seem cumbersome at first, but it makes a difference. Aim for 20-30 times per bite.
• Introduce new foods one at a time. This way, you can identify what works well (and not so well) for your body.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Consider eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large portions.
• Take caution about certain foods. Be careful with nuts and seeds, raw vegetables, fruit and vegetable skins, dried fruits, popcorn, coconut, and mushrooms. These foods are more likely to cause blockages if not properly chewed or eaten in large quantities.

Monitoring Your Stoma Output

Understanding your normal output patterns helps you recognize problems early. Normal output ranges from 500-100mL per day for an ileostomy, while colostomy output varies based on location and diet. Watch for signs of low output, such as less frequent emptying needs, thicker consistency, darker color, or strong odor.

Contact your doctor if you haven’t had output for 12 hours and if home remedies aren’t working after 2-3 hours. Also, if you’re experiencing increasing pain, if you notice significant changes in your stoma’s appearance, or if you’re unable to keep fluids down.

Remember to always follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions for your situation. When in doubt, contact them for customized guidance.

Ostomy Care At Medical Monks

At Medical Monks, we understand that managing your ostomy care comes down to finding ostomy products that work best for your situation. 

That’s why we offer a wide selection from basic supplies to specialized items — including ostomy pouch systems, ostomy pastes and powders, odor-controlling deodorants, supportive ostomy belts, and more.

Need help finding something or not quite sure which products to select? Our product experts are available 24/7 to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.