Reasearch conducted by ConvaTec in the UK in 2016 found that stoma patients generally become less physically active after surgery and live in fear of parastomal hernia or causing themselves harm.
This concerns us for 3 reasons:
- Inactive patients are at risk of other chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes and increase their risk of depression and anxiety.
- Risk Factors for parastomal hernia include muscle weakness and obesity, so patients who become less physically active are likely to increase their risk of prastomal hernia.
- Our research also found that nurses and surgeons do not have the knowledge to advice their patients about physical activity and exercise, so patients are not being given this support.