Peritonitis, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Name: Peritonitis, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Uploaded: 2021-02-26T13:30:03.000Z
Duration: 10 min 29 s

Peritonitis: Understanding Its Causes and Treatment

What is Peritonitis?

Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the tissue lining the inner abdominal wall and covering abdominal organs.

The peritoneum consists of two layers: one that lines the cavity and another that covers the organs, facilitating support for abdominal structures and allowing passage for nerves, blood vessels, and lymph vessels.

Types of Peritonitis

There are two main types of peritonitis: secondary peritonitis (due to injury or medical conditions) and spontaneous peritonitis (arising from fluid buildup).

Secondary peritonitis occurs when infectious organisms enter the peritoneum due to conditions like a ruptured appendix or perforated colon. Spontaneous peritonitis often results from liver disease complications such as cirrhosis.

Causes of Secondary Peritonitis

Common causes include:

Ruptured appendix

Perforated colon

Stomach ulcers

Abdominal trauma or injury

Digestive diseases like Crohn's disease or diverticulitis

Invasive medical procedures (e.g., dialysis)

Risk Factors for Developing Peritonitis

Increased risk factors include:

Previous history of peritonitis

History of alcoholism

Weakened immune system

Fluid accumulation in the abdomen

Liver disease

Symptoms to Watch For

Key symptoms may include:

Fever and chills

Abdominal pain or tenderness

Bloating and distension

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Minimal urine output or excessive thirst

For those on dialysis, cloudy dialysis fluid may indicate infection. Pain or redness around the catheter can also be a sign.

Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches

Diagnosis involves assessing medical history, physical exams focusing on abdominal tension/tenderness, blood tests for white blood cell count, imaging tests (X-ray/CT scan), and analysis of peritoneal fluid if necessary.

Treatment begins with identifying underlying causes; hospitalization may be required for secondary cases where antibiotics are administered intravenously. Surgical intervention might be needed to remove infected tissue if caused by ruptures. Pain management and supplemental oxygen may also be provided during hospital care.

Preventative Measures

To lower risk:

Wash hands thoroughly before handling catheters.

Apply antibiotic cream daily at catheter exit sites to prevent infections.

Video description

. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:08 Causes of Peritonitis 2:41 Symptoms of Peritonitis 3:20 Diagnosis of Peritonitis 4:17 Treatment of Peritonitis Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs.[2] Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss.[2][3] One part or the entire abdomen may be tender.[1] Complications may include shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome.[4][5] Causes include perforation of the intestinal tract, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, stomach ulcer, cirrhosis, or a ruptured appendix.[3] Risk factors include ascites and peritoneal dialysis.[4] Diagnosis is generally based on examination, blood tests, and medical imaging.[6] Treatment often includes antibiotics, intravenous fluids, pain medication, and surgery.[3][4] Other measures may include a nasogastric tube or blood transfusion.[4] Without treatment death may occur within a few days.[4] Approximately 7.5% of people have appendicitis at some point in time.[1] About 20% of people with cirrhosis who are hospitalized have peritonitis.[1]