A Brief Note On Ostomy Belts

An ostomy bag has to connect to the stoma utilizing a skin barrier, which uses a strong adhesive but can still lose hold of the abdomen due to the weight of a full bag. An ostomy belt can serve as an ideal solution to this problem. This belt wraps around the abdomen to hold the ostomy bag snugly fitted in place. Furthermore, it relieves the flange from being a puller of the ostomy bag while its primary job is to ensure a leak-proof seal around the stoma.

The ability of an ostomy belt to keep the entire ostomy appliance in place makes it ideal for athletes with ostomies. This belt hooks into the small loops on the ostomy bag. Another benefit of an ostomy belt is that it holds the flange snugly, preserving its seal for longer durations.

Nevertheless, the pouching system's ability to adhere to the stoma still holds primary importance. You cannot leave the job of keeping the skin barrier snugly in place entirely onto an ostomy belt. Poor adhesion of a skin barrier can result in it slipping around on the peristomal skin area, whether or not you wear the belt.

Ostomy belts play a supportive role

Ostomy belts are the elastic belts available in different widths and sizes. Most of these belts have one inch of width, while their lengths may vary. The longest one that you can purchase comes in a length of 154 inches. However, you can adjust this belt to shorter lengths. One either side of the belt is a hook that connects to the belt tabs on the bag or barrier.

Advantages of ostomy belts

Ostomy belts offer many benefits. We will talk about a few of them.

• An ostomy belt conceals the ostomy bag remarkably. This belt can support the weight of the bag, relieving the barrier of an extra job of keeping the bag attached to the stoma.
• This belt helps in reduces the noise coming from the bag.
• A bag held tightly secure with the abdomen tends to remain flat. An ostomy belt makes that possible. This way, the bag remains well-concealed.
• Constant use of ostomy appliances can cause mounding on the peristomal skin. You can prevent that mounding by wearing an ostomy belt.
• In conjunction with the skin barrier, an ostomy belt can be helpful in leakage prevention entirely.
• The belt keeps the barrier held tightly against the abdomen, reducing the likelihood of peristomal skin getting strained. That helps prevent skin irritation.
• A belt eliminates the pendulum effect that an ostomy bag can create.

While there are many benefits of using an ostomy belt, you need to make sure that it is not proving to be counterproductive in your case. For that purpose, you need to ask your ostomy care nurse if wearing an ostomy belt can be beneficial for you.