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Living with an ostomy can be challenging. But it is a permanent change that ostomates have to adapt. It can be even more challenging to return to the previous fitness regimen, but it is not impossible.
Exercising is beneficial for everyone, and ostomy patients are no exception. After some time of recovering from the ostomy procedure, health professionals may recommend ostomates to engage in physical activities. That's when ostomates should consider getting physically active, but with a more calculated approach.
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The benefits of exercising are well-known. However, for ostomates, strong muscles could mean assistance in parastomal hernias prevention. On top of everything, ostomates feel good when they have strong muscles to safeguard their wellbeing, which is, of course, the most significant benefit. Good health, both physical and mental, doesn't only accelerate the healing process after the ostomy surgery, but it also assists in keeping the life on the right track afterward.
Cardiovascular exercise
Cardiovascular exercise can be a positive start after ostomy surgery. The patients need to start this exercise as soon as they get back home. As a start, it should be just walking in moderation. The most significant benefit of walking is that it stimulates the bowel movement, bringing normalcy to the entire function.
Stoma patients can use their entire body with the help of pole walking and nordic walking, both of which are excellent exercises.
Cardiovascular exercise can be a positive start after ostomy surgery. The patients need to start this exercise as soon as they get back home. As a start, it should be just walking in moderation. The most significant benefit of walking is that it stimulates the bowel movement, bringing normalcy to the entire function.
Stoma patients can use their entire body with the help of pole walking and nordic walking, both of which are excellent exercises.
Benefits of exercising for ostomy patients
Ostomates are more vulnerable to developing obesity in their post-ostomy life. Factors like mental stress and resulting physical inactivity contribute heavily to this problem. This obesity doesn't only deter the health further, but it also makes ostomy management quite a challenge.
Ostomates are more vulnerable to developing obesity in their post-ostomy life. Factors like mental stress and resulting physical inactivity contribute heavily to this problem. This obesity doesn't only deter the health further, but it also makes ostomy management quite a challenge.
Exercising can help ostomates live a healthy and active life. One of the benefits of exercising is the strengthening of abdominal muscles, which has a significant importance when it comes to ostomy management. It is easy to use ostomy appliances over skin with lean and strong muscles underneath. And since there won't be a drastic contraction and expansion of the abdomen while breathing, the ostomy pouch will tend to remain in place for an extended period.
Swimming with an ostomy
Ostomy patients can benefit considerably from swimming, which is a great cardiovascular exercise. However, there are a few things that ostomates, who enjoy spending time in the pool, need to consider. First, they need to make sure that they are using the right ostomy supplies. Second, they need to be well-aware of the maximum threshold of ostomy supplies before they start losing their functionality underwater. One needs to get out of the water before reaching that threshold. The ostomy products that can be helpful during swimming or any activity at the pool or beach include the following.
Ostomy patients can benefit considerably from swimming, which is a great cardiovascular exercise. However, there are a few things that ostomates, who enjoy spending time in the pool, need to consider. First, they need to make sure that they are using the right ostomy supplies. Second, they need to be well-aware of the maximum threshold of ostomy supplies before they start losing their functionality underwater. One needs to get out of the water before reaching that threshold. The ostomy products that can be helpful during swimming or any activity at the pool or beach include the following.
- Drainable pouches
- Closed-end pouches
- Stoma Caps
- Support belts
- Stealth belts
It is essential to come to the pool with a newly changed pouch. This way, the patient doesn't get overly concerned about the leakage as the new pouch will have enough space to collect more stool until the exercise session is over.
It is crucial to come prepared
Ostomy patients may feel like having to take care of extra steps to prepare for exercise, but these are the crucial steps. Furthermore, patients need to follow the instructions from their ostomy care nurses.
Ostomy patients may feel like having to take care of extra steps to prepare for exercise, but these are the crucial steps. Furthermore, patients need to follow the instructions from their ostomy care nurses.