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Musician Tom Speight was diagnosed with the long-term bowel condition Crohn’s disease 15 years ago. After undergoing emergency surgery for the condition , he had a stoma connected to his digestive system. As today marks World Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Day (IDB), Speight has opened up about the realities of living with a stoma and debunks 10 common misconceptions about his condition. A stoma is an opening on the abdomen that can be connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow waste to be diverted out of your body. Stomas are sometimes used after surgery to remove cancers in your pelvic area or help treat inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. How does Crohn’s impact on your life and mental health? Over the years, [there have been some] really difficult situations to deal with – I was hospitalised last year while I was making my album, and lying in hospital, not knowing if I was going to be well enough to finish what I’d been working so long and so hard for was really really demoralising. For me, stress is a big trigger, so when you’re stressing about keeping up with everything and keeping on top of things it was actually making me worse. There’s a ripple effect to this disease in that your limitations can affect how others [family and friends] live their life,” he said. “I’ve been having regular therapy since 2019 to help manage my stress and improve my mental health. Working out how to manage the condition is unbelievably frustrating. Finding the right team of doctors, the right medication, and the right diet is such a draining process. For me, one of the hardest parts is knowing that despite everything you try, the trial and error process you go through can ultimately put you back in hospital if it’s not quite right. It can be a scary thought. The prospect of having a third operation or a sixth stay in hospital is always there, at the back of my mind. Here are the 10 most common misconceptions about living with a stoma, according to Speight: 1. Swimming is fine Often people believe that having a stoma means you can’t enjoy the same hobbies and activities that you did before you had the operation. Swimming comes to mind first: I think people presume you’ll have a leakage or accident, but in the 10 years I’ve had the stoma. I’ve never once had a problem. The stoma bag is waterproof and secure due to its adhesive. There’s no reason why a person with a stoma can’t swim with confidence. 2. What you can and cannot eat When I first spoke to my stoma nurse, I asked about my dietary requirements and what to avoid... you’d be surprised about what’s on the forbidden list. Some people may be advised to avoid eating very fibrous foods, or foods with tough outer skins such as sweetcorn, popcorn, peas and potato skins, to avoid causing a blockage in the bowel. Often eating out can feel like a game of Russian roulette. I’ve had many episodes where I’ve been caught out and been absolutely floored in the process. 3. Being visible I was 24 when I first had the emergency surgery to have a stoma. At the time, I thought having the operation would mean my career was over... you can’t be a pop star and have a bag, right? In reality, no one actually will know until you tell them. I’ve worn tight-fitting clothes while channelling my best Freddie Mercury moves and it’s never been a problem. I kind of wish I could tell my younger self that things will be ok and it’s not the end. In some ways, it was just the start, because it gave me a whole new lease of life. 4. ‘Only elderly people have stomas’ I originally thought only old people have stomas, and yes, the elderly are more likely to have a stoma, but surgery can be performed on anybody at any age. I’ve met a number of younger people through the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK who are just like me, and it’s quite comforting to know you’re not alone. 5. Sex Without being too graphic, this isn’t a problem. It’s all about finding the right partner who can make you feel safe and confident. 6. Smell A lot of the misconceptions about having a stoma were things I initially thought too. I thought it would be unhygienic and, quite frankly, not smell so fresh. The reality is, you’ll only ever notice the smell when you go change it in the toilet. In some ways, it would be no different from anyone else using the loo 7. Is this permanent? For some patients, a stoma is permanent. However, for many, an ostomy is performed to allow for the bowel to heal from scarring, inflammation and infection. I personally need to get to a level of health where a reversal could be performed, while also managing to take some time off to heal properly. 8. ‘You can’t exercise’ I think this misconception might be because people might think you’re vulnerable or weak due to the operation. Exercising regularly can have a really positive impact on people with a stoma, as it reduces the risk of a hernia and keeps your body fit. I’ve never felt stronger in my life. 9. Find the nearest toilet I think people often think you’re walking around with poop all day... this isn’t the case! You just have to go to the toilet like everyone else. 10. The reality is... Yes, it’s a life changing operation but with a few mindful changes you can lead a happy and healthy life. Just avoid the popcorn and drink plenty of water. 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As the weather starts to (slowly) warm up, it’s time to rethink your beauty routine. When temperatures change and the sun shines a bit more consistently, the same products you used in winter won’t be quite as effective. Your hair and skin will have different needs – and these are the changes you should make to accommodate this… 1. Wear broad-spectrum SPF You should be doing this all year round, but slapping on the SPF becomes even more crucial as the weather warms up and we see what Dr Carlos Charles, 4.5.6 Skin chief medical officer and co-founder, describes as “increased daily ambient outdoor ultraviolet light”. He recommends adding sun protection into your routine as early as spring – even if it doesn’t feel that warm. “In my patients with a more fair complexion I’ll start to see mild sunburns and an uptick in sun spots known as solar lentigines in the early spring months,” Charles says. “In patients with darker melanin-rich skin tones I’ll begin to see exacerbations of the pigmentary disorder known as melasma, as well as more intense examples of various types of hyperpigmentation.” Charles – who has spent most of his career treating melanin-rich skin – adds: “The best way to mitigate the hyperpigmentation is through the strict daily use of a broad spectrum sunscreen that is at least SPF 30.” Skin Proud Serious Shade SPF 50+ Sunscreen, £16.95 2. Combat increased oil production “In the warmer weather when temperatures and humidity rise, our sebaceous glands tend to overproduce sebum to keep skin hydrated,” explains Charles. “Even those who have normal skin may find their complexion becomes more oily or greasy. This is true across skin tones, but particularly for those with darker skin.” However, oilier skin doesn’t mean you should start triple-cleansing. “One of the most common mistakes I see patients make when their skin gets oily is over-cleansing to remove the excess oil. Unfortunately, this creates the opposite effect, as it can send the sebaceous glands into overdrive, producing more sebum,” says Charles. Instead, he recommends using “gentle and non-stripping” cleansers and adopting ingredients that will combat the increased oil production, such as salicylic acid. 4.5.6 Skin Green Bae Clearing Gel Cleanser, £28 3. Boost the moisture in your skin Charles continues: “Another mistake I see patients make when their skin gets oily is skipping their moisturiser – or worse SPF – for fear of looking shinier. “It’s always important to keep skin well-nourished and hydrated so that sebaceous glands don’t overcompensate.” Equally, Dr Preema Vig at Dr Preema London recommends using products with ingredients that will boost your skin’s moisture, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and squalane. Croma Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask, £48 4. Give your scalp some love Skincare doesn’t stop at your face. “In the summer months, our scalp can often be neglected and suffer – whether that be from sun exposure and sweating to tying the hair in restrictive, high-stress ponytails due to the heat,” says Munir Somji at DrMedispa. “These hairstyles, alongside heat damage from the sun, can cause hair to lose volume and break easily.” That’s why it’s important to give your scalp some love during the warmer months – by wearing looser ponytails, using targeted treatments or even giving yourself a scalp massage. 5. Don’t forget your eye area“Skin can become red and inflamed during the summer months, caused by blockage and inflammation of your sweat ducts,” says aesthetic oculoplastic surgeon Sabrina Shah-Desai. “Don’t forget to treat your eye area. When it comes to the delicate eye area, think about investing in some slightly larger sunglasses for extra protection, alongside a product to treat any pigmentation and protect.” Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream, £30, Look Fantastic 6. Protect your hair, too It’s not just your skin that needs SPF – your hair could benefit from it too when the sun starts shining. “Warmer weather can cause your hair to become dry, frizzy and more prone to breakage due to increased exposure to UV rays, humidity and sweat,” says GHD UK ambassador and celebrity hair stylist Samantha Cusick. “The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the proteins in your hair, which can lead to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Additionally, sun exposure can also cause your hair colour to fade and lose its vibrancy.” The key to protecting your hair from the sun’s rays? Cusick recommends “wearing a hat or using a hair product that contains SPF”. Coola Scalp & Hair Mist Sunscreen SPF 30, £29, Feel Unique 7. Battle the frizz “Humidity can cause hair to absorb moisture from the air, which can lead to swelling and frizz. This is because hair is made up of keratin proteins, which can change shape when exposed to water. Additionally, the moisture can disrupt the hydrogen bonds in hair, leading to frizz,” Cusick explains. To beat the frizz, opt for anti-frizz products and always use heat protectant – and Cusick recommends using a tool such as the GHD styler that goes up to 185 degrees: “The optimum temperature to style hair,” she says. 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With a sunny weekend on the cards and blue skies beckoning us outdoors, chances are you’re checking out that precious patio – or gift of greenery – for eating in the open air. From prepping your garden furniture to sharpening your table-scaping skills, here’s everything you’ll need for a fun-loving summer of colourful entertaining… 1. Sienna White Speckled Glass Jug, £29; Sienna White Speckled Glass Tumblers, Set of 4, £29, ProCook Can’t wait to proffer your first jug of Pimm’s? Neither can we and this stylish speckled jug is just the job for all those tasty strawbs, sliced oranges and sprigs of mint. 2. Nectar Outdoor Sofa Set – Green, £799, Dobbies It’s not every day you splash out on a sofa to soak up the sunshine, so may as well make it one to set the tone for comfy outdoor living with a lick of luxe. This one features a single chair, large L-shaped double sofa with two cushions, single footstool and attractive terrazzo top coffee table. 3. Lemon Picnic Platter, £10; Set of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Dinner Plates, £15; Set of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Side Plates, £15; Large Lemon Picnic Bowl, £10; Set of 2 Lemon Outdoor Cushions, £25; rest of items from a selection, Marks & Spencer Lemons are currently basking in the limelight and trending on tableware – they not only look mouth-watering, but are an instant summery update. 4. John Lewis Salsa 2-Seater Garden Sofa, Two Tone Yellow, £165, John Lewis Surely the brightest way to pimp up a patio is with a posh polyweave statement sofa in sunshine yellow. Designed to be outdoors all summer long, it will look just as sultry in a sun room or conservatory. 5. Ooni Fyra Pizza Oven, £299, Dobbies Billed as the next best thing to a traditional stone pizza oven, this Ooni Fyra fuelled by energy-efficient wood pellets turns out the tastiest pizza – and promises to put the pow-wow into your pepperoni and nicest into a Neapolitan. Super speedy and versatile, it also loves fish, veggies and burgers. 6. Natural Slogan Straw Effect Outdoor Cushion, £14; Orange Reversible Outdoor Cushion, £14, right; Orange Leaf Outdoor Cushion, £10, far left and far right; Multicoloured String Lantern, £25, Matalan An easy update, a handful of scatter cushions in sunny shades will breathe new life into tired garden furniture… and channel some holiday vibes teamed with a colourful lantern. 7. Flamingo Plastic Picnicware: Set of 4 Tumbler Glasses, £16; Set of 4 Wine Glasses, £18; Jug, £18; Set of 2 bowls, £18; Yellow Lemon Picnic Serve Platter, £15; rest of items from a selection, Next When life gives you lemons… team them with pretty pink flamingos to cheer your friends. 8. French Pink/Antique White Stripe Large Tassel Fringed Beach And Garden Parasol, currently £220 from £235, Staycation! Vintage Style Parasols A showstopper of a sunshade, this candy stripe parasol imbibes thoughts of laid-back beach holidays and long, lazy lunches. With 32mm solid beachwood pole, multi-position tilt function and matching fabric carry bag, this A-list accessory offers UV50+ protection from the sun’s harmful rays. 9. Boutique Camping Fire Pit, currently £139 from £149, Boutique Camping Combining function with form, as we spend more evenings outside, the warming flames of a fire pit not only look radiant, but soothe the soul with their mesmerising flame. Just add wood or coals to the steel bowl. 10. John Lewis ANYDAY Mase Indoor/Outdoor Rug, Blue, L180 x W120cm, £100; Palm Grove Indoor/Outdoor Cushions, Cobalt, £12 each; John Lewis ANYDAY 2-Seater Metal Garden Sofa, Light Blue, £129; John Lewis ANYDAY Metal Garden Lounge Chair, Light Blue, £79, John Lewis When you want to slip into a relaxing, Mediterranean vibe, this pale blue seating with woven rug made from recycled water bottles is one way to visualise light breezes and beautiful views. 11. Sur La Table Bamboo Salad Bowl, £25; Bamboo Salad Spoons, £12; Green, Orange and Blue Cereal Bowls, £9 each; Pasta Bowls, £11 each; rest of items from a selection, Pure Table Top This Colour Me Happy range of striking serveware is another way to treat yourself to a colourful menu… Bon appétit! Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Why going sober could be the key to fitness success 5 of this summer’s hottest swimwear trends Teenagers with obesity should be offered weight loss drug, say experts