Peritonitis is a severe stomach disorder that causes inflammation of the peritoneum due to an abdominal infection. Peritoneum is a thin membrane of tissues covering the inner walls of the belly inside the abdominal cavity. These thin tissues when get exposed to an infected body fluid, get swollen primarily due to breakage or leakage causing a sudden infection. Peritoneum infection is considered life-threatening because it affects the abdominal organs severely besides the fluids can also get transferred and spread into the bloodstream. This can result in septicemia and further shut down vital organs progressing into a septic shock.

Also Read: Septic Shock: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Type And Causes Of Peritonitis

Peritonitis can be of primary or secondary type. Primary infectious peritonitis usually happens due to two major reasons:

Ascites: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a primary peritonitis that develops in people suffering from a health problem called ascites. In this disorder, excess fluid leaks from veins and accumulates in the peritoneum area. It can compromise the immune system since the retained fluid that is not being filtered properly allows these bacteria to infect the peritoneum. The fluid accumulation can be a result of liver disorders, abdominal cancer, kidney failure, heart failure, and various types of cancer.

Use Of Infected Medical Instruments: Primary infection can also get into the peritoneal cavity due to the usage of infected medical instruments at home for certain treatments like hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (which fills and drains the peritoneal cavity through a catheter). Since it may pass a catheter directly through the peritoneum area, this intermittent breach of the organ’s wall can be a potent cause of an unexpected infection in the abdominal cavity.

Also Read: Hemodialysis: Living With The Procedure, Side Effects, And Precautions

A common cause of peritonitis is secondary infection when the infection spreads to the peritoneum through other body organs. It can be caused by the following:

• A burst of an appendix which is also known as appendicitis
• A peptic ulcer disease
• Infectious pancreatitis
• A ruptured ovarian abscess due to a pelvic inflammatory disease
• A ruptured ectopic pregnancy
• Trauma or injury to your abdomen or an abdominal surgery
• A perforated intestinal ulcer from diverticulitis

Also Read: Diverticulitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms Of Peritonitis

Signs and symptoms of peritonitis include:

• Mild to severe abdominal pain
• Swollen or distended abdomen with sensitivity to touch
• Acute dehydration
• A low-grade fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fast heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Fatigue
• Edema- inflammation of legs and feet

How Is Peritonitis Diagnosed?

Infection of peritonitis is not very apparent unless there is some clear symptom. To diagnose the problem, the healthcare provider takes a detailed medical history besides physically examining the abdomen and checking for inflammation, pain, or touch sensitivity. A blood test and a peritoneal fluid culture are also conducted to check for the intensity of the infection. Scans and images of abdominal organs to look for causes of peritonitis are done. Sometimes when doctors cannot detect the precise cause of peritonitis infection, they may need to go for a minor surgical procedure to find the exact cause of the infection and fix the problem.

Treatment And Prevention Of Peritonitis

Since peritonitis can develop suddenly and without any warning signs, it is important to treat peritonitis before it starts to deteriorate and identify the cause at an early stage. Peritonitis can lead to septicemia and sepsis, and both can be fatal. This may happen when the infection enters the bloodstream. Those with weaker immune systems are at a higher risk of such complications. The treatment begins with antibiotics and the administration of IV fluids to treat or prevent the spread of infection. The doctor will first insist on stabilizing the condition before looking for the underlying cause. Sometimes surgery may also be needed as a last resort. Antibiotics and surgery are quite effective, but some underlying complications or organ damage can be everlasting and beyond repair or treatment. The best way to prevent the ailment is to always maintain hygiene and specifically before touching the catheter. All medical instruments should be kept in a clean space and must be sanitized before use.