You need to take care of your stoma and the skin around it (peristomal skin). That means keeping the stoma and the skin clean. It also means protecting the skin from moisture and contact with stool. This helps prevent skin problems and odor.

Read on to learn more about the colon, including some helpful diagrams.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to help control your Crohn’s disease. Medicine can help lessen symptoms. It won’t cure Crohn’s disease, but it can help improve your quality of life.

If you have sleep apnea, you may be able to use a mouthpiece to help you breathe right and sleep well.

Here is what to expect during a home sleep apnea study.

You don't have to eat a special diet just because you've had a colostomy. Most foods, chewed well and eaten slowly, won't give you problems--unless they did before. But you may need to be more aware of foods that cause gas or odor and foods that make your stool too runny or too hard.

Grains (also known as starches) make up foods, such as bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and tortillas. Grains provide iron, B vitamins, and other nutrients the body needs to function. And they give your body fiber, which helps your digestion.

Like vegetables, fruit contains fiber and plenty of vitamins. But the great thing about fruit is its flavor. If you have a sweet tooth or just want a little treat, fruit is the healthiest way to indulge.

A vegetarian diet is based on plant foods. It includes fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, seeds, and nuts. Some vegetarians also eat dairy foods and eggs.

To help your healthcare provider look for the cause of fertility issues, you will have an evaluation. It will include a medical history, physical exam, and some basic tests. If needed, your healthcare provider may also suggest procedures. These allow them to look at your reproductive organs.