Description

Peritonitis is a serious condition that starts in the abdomen. This is the area of the body between the chest and the pelvis. Peritonitis occurs when the thin layer of tissue on the inside of the abdomen becomes inflamed. The layer of tissue called the peritoneum. Peritonitis usually occurs due to infection by bacteria or fungi.

There are two types of peritonitis:

  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This infection is caused by bacteria. This can happen when someone has liver disease, like cirrhosis or kidney disease.
  • Secondary peritonitis. Peritonitis can occur due to a hole, also called a break, inside an organ in the abdomen. Or it may be caused by other health conditions.

It is important to get prompt treatment of the peritonitis. Health care providers have ways to get rid of the infection. You can also treat any medical problem that could be the cause. Peritonitis usually, the treatment consists of drugs that are used for infections caused by bacteria, called antibiotics. Some people with peritonitis need of surgery. If you do not receive treatment, peritonitis can lead to a serious infection that spreads through the body. It can be deadly.

A frequent cause of peritonitis is a treatment for kidney failure called peritoneal dialysis. This treatment helps to get rid of the waste products from the blood when the kidneys struggle to do that work. If you are on peritoneal dialysis, can help to prevent peritonitis with good hygiene before, during, and after dialysis. For example, it is important to wash your hands and clean the skin around the tube.

Symptoms

The symptoms of peritonitis are:

  • Stomach pain, pain or sensitivity.
  • Swelling or feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
  • Fever.
  • Upset stomach and vomiting.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • The diarrhea.
  • Reduction in the urine.
  • Of thirst.
  • Is not able to pass stool or gas.
  • The feeling of tiredness.
  • Confusion.

If you are on peritoneal dialysis, peritonitis symptoms may also include:

  • Cloudy dialysis fluid.
  • The white spots, strands or clumps — called fibrin in the dialysis fluid.

When to see a doctor

Peritonitis can be fatal if not treated immediately. Call your doctor right away if you have severe pain or tenderness in the abdomen, swelling or a feeling of fullness along with:

  • Fever.
  • Upset stomach and vomiting.
  • Reduction in the urine.
  • Of thirst.
  • Is not able to pass stool or gas.

If you are on peritoneal dialysis, call your health care provider right away if the dialysis fluid:

  • Is cloudy or has an unusual color.
  • Has white spots on it.
  • Has strands or clumps in it.
  • Smells unusual, especially if the area around the catheter is changed color or is painful.

Peritonitis may also occur after a burst appendix or a serious injury in the abdomen

  • Get medical help right away if you have severe abdominal pain. You can feel so bad that I can't sit still or find a comfortable position.
  • Call 911 or get emergency medical attention if you have severe abdominal pain after an accident or injury.

Causes

Peritoneum infection is usually caused by a hole in an organ in the abdomen such as the stomach and colon. The hole is also called a rupture. It is unlikely that peritonitis occur for other reasons.

The common causes of a hole that leads to peritonitis include:

  • Medical procedures Peritoneal dialysis uses tubes, called catheters, to remove waste products from the blood. An infection may occur during peritoneal dialysis due to an unclean room treatment, lack of hygiene or contaminated equipment.Peritonitis may also occur after gastrointestinal surgery.The use of feeding tubes may lead to peritonitis.Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen, such as the condition of ascites in liver disease.In rare cases, it may be a complication of a test to check the inside of the rectum and the colon is called colonoscopy.Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to check the digestive tract called endoscopy. This is also unlikely.
  • Peritoneal dialysis uses tubes, called catheters, to remove waste products from the blood. An infection may occur during peritoneal dialysis due to an unclean room treatment, lack of hygiene or contaminated equipment.
  • Peritonitis may also occur after gastrointestinal surgery.
  • The use of feeding tubes may lead to peritonitis.
  • Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen, such as the condition of ascites in liver disease.
  • In rare cases, it may be a complication of a test to check the inside of the rectum and the colon is called colonoscopy.
  • Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to check the digestive tract called endoscopy. This is also unlikely.
  • A ruptured appendix, stomach, ulcer or perforation in the colon. Any of these conditions may allow the entry of bacteria into the peritoneum through a hole in your digestive tract.
  • The Pancreatitis. This is the inflammation of a gland in the abdomen called the pancreas. If you have pancreatitis, and you get an infection, the bacteria can spread outside the pancreas. That can lead to peritonitis.
  • Diverticulitis. The infection of the small, bulging pouches in the digestive tract can cause peritonitis. This could happen if one of the bags breaks. The outbreak of the bag could spill of waste in the bowel in the abdomen.
  • The Trauma. The injury may cause peritonitis. This may allow the bacteria or chemicals from other parts of the body to enter the peritoneum.
  • Peritoneal dialysis uses tubes, called catheters, to remove waste products from the blood. An infection may occur during peritoneal dialysis due to an unclean room treatment, lack of hygiene or contaminated equipment.
  • Peritonitis may also occur after gastrointestinal surgery.
  • The use of feeding tubes may lead to peritonitis.
  • Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen, such as the condition of ascites in liver disease.
  • In rare cases, it may be a complication of a test to check the inside of the rectum and the colon is called colonoscopy.
  • Peritonitis can occur after a procedure to check the digestive tract called endoscopy. This is also unlikely.

Peritonitis happens without a hole or tear is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. It is usually a complication of liver disease, like cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhosis leads to a large accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. The accumulation of fluid can lead to a bacterial infection.

Risk factors

Some things that increase the risk of peritonitis are:

  • The Peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis can occur in people who receive this treatment.
  • Other medical conditions. Certain conditions increase the risk of peritonitis, such as: cirrhosis of the Liver.Appendicitis.Stomach ulcers.Diverticulitis.Crohn's disease.The Pancreatitis.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Appendicitis.
  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Diverticulitis.
  • Crohn's disease.
  • The Pancreatitis.
  • The history of peritonitis. Once you have had the peritonitis, the risk of developing new can be higher than that of someone who's never had.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Appendicitis.
  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Diverticulitis.
  • Crohn's disease.
  • The Pancreatitis.

Complications

Without treatment, peritonitis can cause a whole-body systemic infection. Sepsis is very dangerous. Can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death.

Prevention

Peritonitis related to peritoneal dialysis is often caused by germs around the tube. If the use of peritoneal dialysis, take these steps to avoid peritonitis:

  • Wash your hands before touching the catheter. Scrub under your nails and between fingers.
  • Clean the skin around the catheter with an antiseptic every day.
  • Store your supplies in a clean place.
  • Wearing a surgical mask during their dialysis fluid exchanges.
  • Talk to your dialysis care team about the proper care of your peritoneal dialysis catheter.

Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics to prevent peritonitis, especially if you've had before peritonitis. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if you have an accumulation of peritoneal fluid due to a medical condition such as liver cirrhosis. If you take a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor, you may be asked to stop taking.

Diagnosis

To diagnose peritonitis, your doctor may talk with you about your medical history and gives a physical examination. Your symptoms alone may be enough for your healthcare provider to diagnose the condition if the peritonitis is linked to peritoneal dialysis.

If further testing is required to confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may suggest:

  • Blood tests. A sample of your blood may be taken to see if you have an increase in disease-fighting white blood cells. This is usually a sign of infection or inflammation. You may also have a blood culture to see if bacteria are found in the blood.
  • Imaging tests. You can have a review of X-rays to check if there are holes or tears in your digestive tract. You can also have a test that uses sound waves to take images of the inside of your body, called ultrasound. In some cases, you may have a ct scan.
  • The Peritoneal fluid analysis. In this test, a thin needle is used to take a sample of the fluid in the peritoneum. You are more likely to have this test if you are on peritoneal dialysis or if you have fluid in the abdomen of the liver disease. An increase in the count of white blood cells in this fluid generally indicate an infection or inflammation. A culture of the fluid can be used to detect bacteria.

Treatment

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis can be fatal. You will need to stay in the hospital. The treatment includes antibiotics. Also includes supportive care to relieve their symptoms.

You will also need to stay in the hospital for secondary peritonitis. Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics. It is likely that you will have to take antibiotics through a needle into a vein. This eliminates the infection and prevents it from spreading. The type of antibiotic will be needed and how much time you are going to need is going to vary. Depends on the severity of your condition and the type of peritonitis that you have.
  • Surgery. This is often necessary to remove the infected tissue to treat the cause of the infection, and prevent the infection from spreading. The surgery is important if the peritonitis is due to a ruptured appendix, stomach or colon.
  • Other treatments. Depending on your symptoms, your treatment at the hospital, it is likely that include: drugs for the Pain.Fluids given through a tube, called intravenous fluids.Oxygen.In some cases, a blood transfusion.
  • Medications for pain.
  • Fluids given through a tube, called intravenous fluids.
  • Oxygen.
  • In some cases, a blood transfusion.
  • Medications for pain.
  • Fluids given through a tube, called intravenous fluids.
  • Oxygen.
  • In some cases, a blood transfusion.

If you are on peritoneal dialysis

If you have this condition, your doctor may suggest that you receive dialysis in another way. You may need this type of dialysis for several days while your body recovers from the infection. If peritonitis persists or recurs, you may need to stop having peritoneal dialysis completely and switch to a different type of dialysis.

Symptoms and treatment of Peritonitis