A high output stoma is classed as producing 1,000 to 1,500mls of faeces per day or more.
This can happen for various reasons, which should have been discussed with you prior to
discharge home.
It is very important to monitor your output because these high losses can
be problematic, and can quickly lead to dehydration, with loss of nutrients via the
stoma. The main nutrient lost is sodium, but others, including potassium and magnesium
can also become depleted.
There are some things you can do to maintain a healthy balance and this leaflet is designed to offer guidance in this situation.
Always seek advice from your specialist stoma nurses, doctor or dietician if you are
unsure of anything or are feeling unwell.
We advise that your stoma output should be kept under……………….mls per 24 hour period.
• Sprinkle a little salt on your meals (half to one teaspoon per day).
• Eat salty foods (cheese, bacon, ham, smoked fish, savoury biscuits, ravioli, Bovril, salted crisps etc).
• Choose starchy carbohydrates such as white bread, low fibre cereals such as rice krispies and cornflakes, skinless potatoes, white pasta, white rice, dishes made with maize or cornmeal, green bananas.
• Plainly cooked foods are better than spicy or highly seasoned dishes.
• Avoid high fibre foods such as wholemeal bread, fruit with pips and skin, green leafy vegetables, cereals such as Weetabix or Shredded Wheat.
• Avoid peas, beans and sweetcorn.
• Eat slowly and chew food properly.
• Do not eat and drink at the same time.
• Eat little and often.
• Limit your fluid intake of drinks such as tea, coffee, water or sugar-free squash to between 500mls and 1 litre per day (this amount should be decided prior to discharge with your specialist team and includes fluid foods such as soup or yoghurt).
• Commence an oral rehydration solution such as Dioralyte or St. Mark’s solution as discussed prior to your discharge.
• Avoid fluid at mealtimes and do not drink too quickly.
• Extreme thirst.
• Lethargy / Tiredness.
• Cramps.
• Dizziness.
Please let your medical team know if you experience any signs of dehydration as they can advise you how to treat this.
• Monitor output from stoma.
• Have regular blood tests for electrolytes.
• Keep up with prescribed anti-diarrhoea medication loperamide/imodium, codeine and antacids.
• You may have been advised to ‘open’ capsules of medicine to allow greater absorption and ensure you take them 30 - 45 minutes before meals.
• Take a rehydration supplement such as Dioralyte or St. Marks solution.
• Eat a low fibre diet.
• Limit your ‘normal’ fluids to between 500ml and 1 litre per day, including fluid foods such as soup or yoghurt, and cups of tea, coffee and fruit juice.
• Be aware of signs of dehydration.
• If your stoma output suddenly increases, this could be for a variety of reasons, including stress, antibiotics, chemotherapy, a stomach bug or a
change in diet – please contact your stoma nurse for advice.
• Get in touch if you have any concerns at all.
• Stoma Nurses 01253 956620 Email: bfwh.crc-stomanurses@nhs.net
• Ileostomy Association 0800 0184724
• GP
______________________________
• Stoma Product Delivery Company
Name: ________________________
______________________________
• Dietician
______________________________
• In an emergency and out of hours please call 111 for advice or 999 if you need an ambulance
