Managing Bowel Sounds with a Colostomy

Living with a colostomy comes with certain adjustments to daily life. One common concern many people have revolves around managing bowel sounds with a colostomy.

Whether you’re new to having a stoma or have been living with one for years, understanding and managing these sounds can help you feel more confident in your daily life.

Understanding Bowel Sounds with a Colostomy

Bowel sounds are completely normal, both with and without a colostomy. These sounds occur as your digestive system moves food, fluid, and air through your intestines. A colostomy doesn’t eliminate these natural processes – it simply changes your digestive system’s path.

Understanding that these sounds are part of normal digestion can help reduce anxiety. However, you might notice them more now because your stoma is located on your abdomen rather than internally.

This brings us to an important question: how do bowel sounds differ when you have a stoma?

The Reality of Stoma Sounds

When dealing with colostomy or ileostomy bowel sounds, taking a step back and thinking about the situation is important. While you might be aware of your ostomy bag and notice every gurgle and noise from your stoma, most people won’t notice unless you tell them about it.

Many ostomates find that these sounds become less noticeable as they adjust to life with a stoma.

Your experience might include:

• An initial period where sounds seem more noticeable
• A gradual reduction in noise levels as your stoma heals
• Variations in sound levels based on your diet and daily activities
• Your own unique pattern of what’s normal for your body

The most important thing is understanding what works for you. Keeping a food journal can be helpful in pinpointing which foods increase bowel sounds.

Don’t feel embarrassed about these natural bodily functions – instead, focus on developing management strategies that work for your lifestyle. However, if something seems different or you’re experiencing ongoing problems, contact your healthcare team for guidance. 

When to Seek Medical Attention

While bowel sounds are typically normal, contact your healthcare provider if you experience the following:

• Complete absence of bowel sounds for an extended period
• Loud or hyperactive bowel sounds with abdominal pain
• Severe bloating or discomfort/pain
• Prolonged changes in stoma output consistency or frequency

Managing Bowel Sounds and Discretion

Here are some strategies for managing bowel sounds and maintaining discretion:

Practical Tips

• Empty your ostomy bag when it’s one-third full to prevent bulging and reduce noise
• Work with your ostomy nurse to find the right pouching system for your needs
• Consider using pouch covers or specialized clothing to muffle sounds
• Time meals around important events when possible
• Use gas filters on your ostomy pouches to help manage gas buildup

Diet and Sound Management

Many ostomates report that keeping a food journal helps identify:

• Foods that increase stoma sounds
• Items that affect output consistency
• Triggers for increased gas production
• Relationships between meal timing and noise levels

Odor Management

Addressing odor concerns is an important part of managing life with an ostomy. Consider:

• Using ostomy deodorants or lubricating deodorants.
• Empty pouches regularly and at appropriate times
• Keep air freshener handy when emptying in public restrooms
• Use specialized filters in your pouching system

Finding What Works for You

Remember that every person’s experience with an ostomy is unique. What works well for one person might not work as well for another. That’s why it’s best to consider the following items:

• Testing different pouching systems to find your best fit
• Consulting with your healthcare provider about specific concerns
• Being patient as you adjust to life with a stoma
• Asking trusted friends or family for feedback about noise levels

Ostomy Products at Medical Monks

Medical Monks offers a wide range of ostomy accessories and supplies to help manage sounds and maintain discretion:

• High-quality ostomy pouches with effective filters
• Ostomy deodorizing products for odor control
• Large selection of ostomy pouching systems to suit individual needs

Visit our ostomy section to explore our full range of products.

Not sure which products might work best for your situation? Our knowledgeable staff can always answer your questions and guide product selection. We understand that finding the right combination of products can improve your comfort and confidence.

Conclusion

Remember that bowel sounds are a natural part of having a functioning digestive system. While they might seem obvious to you, they’re often much less noticeable to others than you might think. You can minimize the impact on your daily life with proper management strategies and the right products.

At Medical Monks, we understand the unique challenges of living with an ostomy. Our team is here to help you find the right products and solutions for your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable staff for guidance on choosing the best products for managing bowel sounds and other ostomy-related concerns.