Christine Kijek is a colorectal nurse at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, CT. She has a wealth of knowledge in this field as well as personal experience. HPFY is thrilled that she has been an active participant in the Ostomy Support Group. Christine lives in Bethel, CT with her husband Ed. Her children are married and live nearby. She has 4 grandchildren and is known as GiGi. Christine enjoys riding motor cycles and spends many hours gardening. She can often be found onboard a Carnival Cruise ship lounging by the pool.
Christine Kijeck a colorectal surgical nurse at Danbury Hospital shared her experiences of dealing with colorectal surgery with the Ostomy Support Group started by HPFY.
Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue and are most common on bony prominences caused by pressure. Learn more about Pressure Injuries
Those with stomas can face some challenging events, some minor, some major. The minor episodes can be treated easily while the major incidents may require more serious treatments. Learn to deal with these challenging [email protected]
Studies show that obesity has a positive association with urinary incontinence (UI). Urinary incontinence affects about 50% of middle-aged and older women.Obesity can create chronic strain on the bladder, stretch and weaken the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor which contributes to UI. Learn More about it @HPFY
Arterial ulcers often start as a break in the skin on the leg or foot. It can be caused by dry skin, an injury, or a puncture wound. For most, these injuries will heal with proper care. For those with arterial disease, the wound cannot heal due to poor blood flow. This increases the size of the wound while allowing oxygen and bacteria to enter the wound and subcutaneous tissue. Infection occurs, leading to more damage. Minor scrapes and cuts can then develop into ulcers, the tissue becomes necrotic and black.
Our skin is the first line of defense against microorganisms that can invade the body and cause infection. Once the skin is damaged, microorganisms can enter the body. The goal of treating a burn wound is to prevent shock, relieve pain and reduce the risk of infection.
Migraine headaches cause recurrent headaches that can be debilitating. A migraine without aura is known as a common migraine while migraine with aura is called a classic migraine. Other symptoms that occur with migraines include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Diabetics are at a higher risk for infection and dry skin caused by decreased blood flow and can easily transition to an infection that is difficult to heal. Keeping the skin moist will help reduce the risk of breakdown.
