Over 500,000 Americans have some type of ostomy, according to 2008 information from the United Ostomy Association, with 36 percent having a colostomy, a surgically created opening that diverts stool from the colon into a pouch worn on the body through a stoma. Low potassium levels, medically termed hypokalemia, occur more frequently with some types of colostomies more than others. Colostomies that drain more liquid stool more often lead to low potassium levels.
An ostomy is an opening in the body --- created via surgery --- which allows bodily waste to be excreted. The opening is created in part of the intestine or ureter, the MedlinePlus website explains; bodily waste passes through ...
This surgery allows stool and gas to safely leave the body. There are several surgical options that exist for bowel diversion including colostomy surgery. In colostomy surgery, the colon is diverted to a stoma, or opening, and ...
Stool exits the body through the stoma and enters a bag attached over the abdomen. Colostomies may be temporary as in cases of injury or disease when the bowel just needs time to rest and repair itself, or they may be permanent...
A colostomy may also become necessary to rest the elimination tract, which includes the colon, rectum and anus, due to complications of disease, injury or bowel obstruction. Whatever the case, a patient should discuss the minor...
