A healthy lifestyle for the ostomist in relation to exercise

Stoma surgery results in significant changes for the patient. These are both physical and psychological. Not only must the patient get used to the loss of control over elimination, but they must adapt to their altered physiology and may lack confidence in participating in everyday and sporting activities. Such surgery can have a profound effect on their pyschosocial wellbeing. In today's society, we are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise. As healthcare professionals, we should be encouraging the ostomist to resume a healthy lifestyle as part of their rehabilitation and adaption to their new stoma, as well as encouraging social interaction; however, their is a lack of clarity in the literature as to how appropriate sport and exercise are for the ostomist. To date, evidence-based literature relating to ostomists and stoma-related injuries is sparse, and anecdotal evidence from healthcare professionals may be discouraging ostomists from taking part in sport and exercise. This article explores sporting and exercise issues among ostomists. A variety of strategies are offered, which the stoma nurse can use to encourage ostomists to engage in gentle exercise and to participate or return to physical sports that they once enjoyed prior to their surgery.