Why is My Ileostomy Output Foamy?

Hi guys,

Can anyone explain to me, as my stoma nurse has not fully explained to me, why I keep having very foamy output from my ileostomy, which makes it look like I have eaten a bar of soap?

I know that I swallow a lot of air and always have air in my gut, as I sleep with a CPAP machine, but now and then (like now) I am experiencing foamy white/yellow foam.

I am not concerned; I'm just curious what causes this?

Thanks in advance,

Gracie

Edit: I cannot eat solid food. I have to drink 6 bottles of Fortisip (made by Nutricia) every day. And I haven't drunk anything abnormal either... Although my gut has been very loud and obnoxious (which is better than no bowel sounds, as experience has taught me).

G-Day Gracie, you have been bottling a lot of fruit lately, and it could be eating fruit that has fermented a little.

Regards, IGGIE

I cannot eat solid food; dehydrating all this fruit and vegetables is so my husband has something healthy he can eat. So that isn't it. If I were to eat a piece of dried fruit, it would come out after only 15 minutes looking just like I swallowed it....

Frothy output can be caused by several health conditions and foods, including those containing fructose and oil. Sometimes, this happens with supplements or tube feeding when it passes through the body faster than someone's body can break down the glucose/fructose and lipid components.

I have noticed this, but it is very infrequent; I don't give it another thought.

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Foamy output to me means gas bubbles. It happens to me with certain foods. Nothing to be concerned about!

Terry

I agree with Terry; I do experience this sometimes, but I never thought anything of it. It doesn't happen frequently.

I have a colostomy, often experience foaming stools, usually bright yellow in color. It can't be from what I eat because I eat very little in a day. Maybe a sandwich. No junk food. I drink a gallon of water daily. My stools have always been liquid, so I use ileostomy pouches.

I am not sure why it happens, but it happens to me too. I see foamy output, and I see bubbles. My ostomy actually blows little tiny bubbles sometimes. I don't know why or how. I suppose it is just air passing through because my output is so often liquid. I think it is easier to make bubbles in liquid than it would be if I had more solid output. Makes sense.