Have you ever heard of an ostomy? Do you know about stoma patients? The total number of intestinal stoma patients in China has exceeded 1 million, among which, oncology patients are the main stoma population, and colorectal cancer tops the list. At present, this number is still growing at the rate of 100,000 cases per year. I. What is a stoma? A “stoma” is a digestive system disease that requires surgical treatment to separate the intestinal canal and lead one end of the intestinal canal out to the body surface to form an opening. The purpose is to allow intestinal excretion to exit, to decompress the intestine, to protect the anastomosis or injury of the distal intestine, to promote the healing of intestinal diseases, and even to save the patient’s life. Ostomy is mostly used in the treatment of colon and rectal diseases. Common types of stomas include permanent colostomies and temporary stomas. A permanent stoma is usually located in the lower left abdomen and is a permanent stoma of the descending colon or sigmoid colon. Temporary stomas are often chosen as ileostomies or transverse colostomies. The temporary stoma acts as a shunt and decompression and can be returned when the lower intestinal tract has healed. Ostomates cannot control excretion at will and need to carry an ostomy bag on any occasion, which causes problems for many ostomates. So, can stoma patients still eat happily? Some patients believe that limiting their food intake will reduce the amount of stoma discharge or reduce the inconvenience that comes with living with a stoma. But on the contrary, this often leads to more problems. Excessive restriction of food intake slows down the body’s recovery (especially in oncology patients) and puts the organism in a poor state. Therefore, generally speaking, patients can choose whatever food they like. Second, how to eat for stoma patients? 1. No matter what kind of stoma person, in principle, there is no need to avoid eating, only a balanced diet is needed. When trying a new food, it is best not to eat too much at once, if there is no adverse reaction, eat more next time. Usually, you should eat more fresh vegetables and fruits and yogurt. 2, ileostomy people should eat less corn, mushrooms, to prevent blocking the stoma. 3, generally easy to produce gas and irritating food can be eaten less. Such as onions, sweet potatoes, garlic, celery, beans, beer, soft drinks and spices. Fish, eggs, milk, lamb, etc., which are easy to produce odor, can be free if the stoma holder does not participate in social activities. 4. After the recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery, a normal balanced diet can be resumed unless there are other dietary restrictions, such as diabetes. If there is too much weight gain, it will change the abdominal contour and affect the stoma care. 5.The diet should be well hydrated. Sufficient water can soften the stool and prevent constipation, especially for patients with ileostomy and ascending colostomy, sufficient water can reduce the water loss of patients. 6, intake of sufficient dietary fiber. Adequate intake of dietary fiber is important to improve the intestinal function of stoma patients, which can adjust the function of the stomach and intestines and reduce the occurrence of constipation or diarrhea. 7.Limit alcoholic beverages to avoid causing loose stools. 8.Avoid foods with high fat content. Foods with high fat content can cause diarrhea and should be noted in the diet. Tips: For stoma patients, solid stools are the easiest to care for. Dietary hygiene should be observed. Ostomates with a history of intestinal allergies should avoid foods and medications that cause allergies. Constipated stoma holders should drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and when they have the urge to stool, seize the opportunity to go to the toilet immediately by massaging with their hands in clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the umbilicus to help intestinal peristalsis. After waking up in the morning, drink 500-1000 ml of cold boiled water with salty taste, which also helps to defecate and keep the stool open.