How can I stop my stoma leaking at night?

Having a stoma is a major change and can take some adjusting to - but knowing how to deal with the common issues before they arise can really help.

If you have a stoma then there’s no doubt that you’ve probably experienced a leakage before, and often these leakages can happen during the night – but they don’t have to.

There are some simple things that you can try today that could help reduce stoma bag leakages at night:

Gelling Sachets could be the secret to a good night’s sleep

If you have an ileostomy or liquid stool output and leakages are affecting your sleep, then using an output thickener like Diamonds™ Gelling and Odour Control Sachets could be the solution to a better night’s sleep. Diamonds™ solidify liquid contents and reduce or eliminate excess gas, with users often finding that they help prevent leakage and sleep disruptions caused by the need to drain or release gas.

Watch WHEN you eat

People often say to watch what you eat, but if you’re experiencing leakages, it could be a case of watching when you eat. If you normally eat later in the evening or soon before you go to bed, this could be increasing your night time output.

If this sounds like you, then varying your meal times could help to reduce stoma bag leakages during the night as your stoma is less active. Whether this means eating a bigger main meal earlier in the day and a snack or a lighter meal in the evening, it’s all about experimenting and finding what works best for you and your stoma.

If the bag fills unexpectedly then it could be down to a change in diet, a stomach upset or even something like nerves and stress can affect your output.

Have a read of our blog on the main causes of stoma leakages here.

Empty your bag before bed

As well as watching when you eat, emptying your bag before you go to bed could also help to reduce leakages at night.

Making sure your bag is secure

Another cause of stoma bag leakages at night could simply be because you haven’t secured your bag properly before you get into bed. Check that your seal is secure getting in to bed so that you don’t wake up to any unwelcome surprises.

Try a high output bag

If you have a high output stoma, then a high output bag such as the Natura® Two-Piece Drainable Pouch could help to reduce night time leakages because of its increased capacity. This bag can also be used with ConvaTec Mouldable Technology™ baseplates which can provide a snug fit for added security.