Perception of Patients With Intestinal Ostomy in Relation to Nutritional and Lifestyle Changes

Abstract

Objective: to describe the perceptions of people with intestinal ostomies on changes related to nutritional and lifestyle aspects. Method: exploratory and descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, performed with 17 patients with intestinal ostomies, who participate in a group of ostomized in a municipality in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed based on the thematic analysis from which two categories emerged: “Change in the eating habits and nutritional profile of people with ostomy” and “living with the new”. Results: many changes that occur with the ostomized people, with body weight preferences and eating habits. There are daily situations that require adaptation to be experienced, among them: domestic tasks, sexuality, sports, work and leisure activities. The subjects who use the irrigation method presented autonomy in their daily life and see the ostomy as a new possibility in the face of the disease. Conclusion: to minimize the repercussions that occur in the lifestyle of ostomized people, there is evidence of the need for individualized nutritional and psychological follow-up and of extension in the guidelines of the professional teams that work with them, as well as the dissemination of the irrigation method to people with ostomies who are able to perform such procedure.

Subjectivities and Challenges of People Living With an Intestinal Ostomy

“…The person with ostomy must have a normal and balanced diet, recognizing the foods that their body tolerates or not. The exclusion of food groups without proper guidance can harm nutritional and emotional status 3 .…”

“…Thus, they often manifest insecurity in social life, in returning to work activities, in adjusting their eating habits and in self-care, which involves hygiene and the use of collecting equipment. Thus, psychological support for people with ostomy is essential to facilitate their readaptation and acceptance of the new way of life 3 . The ostomy consists of the surgical construction of a new path for the exit of feces and is named according to its anatomical location.…”

Subjetividades E Desafios De Pessoas Convivendo Com Estomia Intestinal

“…Alguns alimentos provocam liberação dos gases no equipamento coletor, provocando desconforto e alteração da imagem corporal. As modificações alimentares após a estomia interferem sobremaneira no estado nutricional, nas relações sociais e psicológicas 3 . Portanto, as pessoas com estomia intestinal fazem seleção rigorosa dos alimentos como método de controle do funcionamento intestinal cuja finalidade é resgatar a autoconfiança.…”

“…Assim, é frequente manifestarem insegurança no convívio social, no retorno às atividades laborais, no ajuste dos hábitos alimentares e no autocuidado, que envolve higienização e o uso do equipamento coletor. Dessa forma, é indispensável o apoio psicológico à pessoa com estomia para facilitar sua readaptação e aceitação do novo modo de vida 3 . A estomia consiste na construção cirúrgica de um novo trajeto para saída de fezes e recebe o nome conforme sua localização anatômica.…”

Characterization of people with intestinal stomas hospitalized in private hospital / Caracterização de pessoas com estomas intestinais internadas em hospital privado / Caracterización de personas con estomas intestinales internadas en hospital privado

“…A equipe de saúde deve atender a pessoa estomizada como um todo. Para minimizar as repercussões que ocorrem no estilo de vida das pessoas estomizadas, evidenciam-se a necessidade de acompanhamento nutricional e psicológico individualizado e de ampliação nas orientações das equipes de profissionais que atuam com eles, bem como a divulgação do método de irrigação aos estomizados que estão aptos para realizar tal procedimento (19) .…”