If your stoma is swollen, your current wafer may be too tight, cutting off circulation or restricting flow. Remove your pouch and check the stoma size. Re-cut a new wafer slightly larger than usual to accommodate the swelling. 4. Use Warmth
A total bowel obstruction is a medical emergency. Go to the Emergency Room immediately if the following occur:
Lie down and pull your knees toward your chest. Gently massage the area around your stoma and your lower abdomen. This can help manually shift a food bolus (a clump of undigested food) through the narrow opening. 3. Change Your Pouch how to unblock a stoma
Soaking in a warm bath can provide full-body relaxation. The buoyancy and heat combined often help the bowel resume its natural peristalsis (the wave-like movements that push waste through). 6. Adjust Your Positioning
The stoma may appear larger or more swollen than usual. If your stoma is swollen, your current wafer
Gently massage around your stoma in a clockwise motion. This can help move the stool along. Be gentle—never force it.
Use your fingertips to gently massage the area around the base of the stoma and your wider abdomen. This can help dislodge food-related blockages, which often occur just behind the stoma. 4. Hydrate with the Right Fluids Ostomy Pain Management | Colorectal Cancer Alliance Gently massage the area around your stoma and
Sometimes the "knee-to-chest" position or lying on your side with one leg tucked up can change the angle of the bowel enough to let the obstruction slide through. What NOT to Do
If you suspect a blockage but are not experiencing severe pain or projectile vomiting, try these techniques to encourage movement in the bowel. 1. Stop Solid Food