Nutritional Guide - Flipbook - Page 32
FAQs
Common Questions
How can I eat out e.g. at restaurants?
For those with urostomies and colostomies, you
are likely to not need dietary changes and can eat
as normal (at others’ homes or eateries). For those
with jejunostomies, some with ileostomies and those
with conditions like IBS, you are likely to need a
fibre-adjusted and low-irritant diet. Lots of eateries
(including cafés and restaurants) have online menus
you can view ahead of time and some allow you to
email queries, otherwise you can call and speak to a
member of staff. If you know what you specifically
react to then you can let the eatery know ahead
of time, otherwise you can speak with your server
when ordering. If you are unsure what you react
to then it can be helpful to choose low-fibre and
low-irritant options. Eateries can sometimes make
adjustments to standard menu options e.g. swapping
salads for soft-cooked vegetables, so don’t be afraid
to ask – your health, but also enjoyment is important.
How do I know that I’m dehydrated?
Thirst is not a reliable marker of dehydration;
common symptoms of dehydration include:
• Less frequent, lower volume and darker urine
• Dry lips, mouth and eyes
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially on
standing
• Feeling weak/tired
•Headaches
• Muscle cramps
To minimise dehydration:
• Include frequent drinks throughout the day,
including after meals (unless advised otherwise)
• Include foods that have a higher water content
e.g. yoghurt, melon.
• Have sauces with meals or puddings e.g. gravy
or custard
I have ongoing watery stools, what shall I do?
If you are passing more than 1500ml of stool a day, this
is called “high-output” and means you’re more likely
to become dehydrated. It is best to speak with your
Doctor, Specialist Nurse or Dietitian, but in the
interim you can try:
•
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Ensuring you’re eating good portion meals
spread evenly throughout the day and a third of
each meal contains a starchy carbohydrate.
• Having a low-fibre and low-irritant diet
• Leaving 15-20 minutes between eating and
drinking
• Increasing your salt; choose saltier foods e.g.
cheese, crackers or sauces and also adding salt
to meals (while cooking or at the table)
• Having rehydration drinks like Dioralyte
(available in pharmacies) or St. Mark’s solution
(only if told by your Doctor/Specialist Nurse)
TIP: Medications can be helpful to reduce your
bowel-stoma output; sometimes dietary changes
aren’t enough. Loperamide, codeine, omeprazole
and octreotide are often used to slow and thicken
your stools, these are usually prescribed by your
Doctor and may be taken ~30-60 minutes before
a meal or multiple times a day. Always discuss
with your Doctor before starting or changing
any medication.
How can I prevent a stoma blockage (& how will
I know that I have one)?
Blockages are a risk of any stoma surgery, but with
the right knowledge you can reduce the chances.
Signs of stoma blockages:
Bowel-stomas
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Lower volume, thinner or clearer stoma liquid
Abdominal cramping or pain by the stoma
Decrease in amount of urine and darker colour
Abdominal and stoma swelling
Nausea and vomiting
Faint or absent bowel sounds
Note: If you pass much less stool than normal, or
none for a few hours, contact your Doctor, call the
NHS helpline on 111 or if necessary, visit your local
Accident and Emergency department.
Urostomies
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Significant decrease in amount of urine and
darker colour urine
Cramping, pain or swelling at the stoma site
Nausea and vomiting
Note: You can try reducing ‘trigger foods’ but it is
best to not eliminate foods without speaking with a
Registered Dietitian.
