Peritonitis is when the tissue lining the abdominal wall gets inflamed. It happens often when bacteria or fungi spread. But, it can also be from things like stomach acid or pancreatic juice. It’s a serious problem that needs quick attention.
This issue might start from an infection inside the abdomen. Or, it could happen because certain organs burst. Symptoms include a lot of pain, fever, feeling sick, throwing up, and being very tired.
Getting the right diagnosis and starting treatment fast can save lives. Doctors use exams, blood checks, and images to find out what’s wrong. They might also check the fluid around the abdomen.
Treatments can vary. Sometimes surgery is needed. Other times, just strong antibiotics. Stem cell therapy is also being looked at as a new way to treat this condition.
Key Takeaways:
- Peritonitis is an inflammation of the tissue lining the inside of the abdominal wall and covering most of the abdominal organs.
- It can be caused by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi, or by non-bacterial factors like stomach acid or pancreatic juice.
- Symptoms of peritonitis include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to minimize mortality.
- Stem cell therapy may be an advanced treatment option for peritonitis.
Acute Peritonitis – Causes and Symptoms
Acute peritonitis is a severe infection of the peritoneum, which is the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. This condition can be life-threatening. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious issues. These include shock and poisoning from the infection spreading.
There are two main types of this condition. Primary peritonitis starts in the peritoneum itself. Secondary peritonitis happens when an organ ruptures or there’s a hole in the digestive tract. This can be due to things like a burst appendix, tears in the intestines or stomach, or abdominal injuries.
Causes of Acute Peritonitis
Various things can cause acute peritonitis, such as:
- Bacterial infections
- Ruptured appendix
- Perforated ulcers
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diverticulitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
In some cases, it can happen when the fluid around the organs gets infected during a surgery.
Symptoms of Acute Peritonitis
The key symptoms of this condition are:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Signs of infection, such as high heart rate and increased white blood cell count
Getting diagnosed and treated early is very important. This helps avoid serious complications. If you have severe stomach pain or any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.
| Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Bacterial infections | Severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting, signs of infection |
| Ruptured appendix | Sudden onset of abdominal pain, fever, and tender lower right abdomen |
| Perforated ulcers | Stomach pain worsening after eating, nausea, vomiting, bloody stools |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Stomach cramps, diarrhea, and bleeding from the rectum |
| Diverticulitis | Stomach pain, soreness, fever, and bowel habit changes |
| Pelvic inflammatory disease | Lower stomach ache, weird vaginal discharge, painful pee, fever |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Peritonitis
Diagnosing peritonitis means looking at symptoms, exams, and various tests. This ensures we get it right. Blood tests check for signs of infection, showing if peritonitis is there. Imaging tests like ultrasound and X-ray help see the issue. They let doctors look at the affected areas and any issues. Testing the peritoneal fluid (the fluid around the stomach) is key. It helps find bacteria, which is a big step in getting the right diagnosis.
Treating peritonitis often needs surgery and careful medical care. Surgery starts by balancing fluids and fixing acid levels. Also, doctors give broad-spectrum antibiotics to fight the infection. Surgery looks for the main cause, like a bad appendix or holes in organs. Fixing these issues helps the body heal.
It’s important to drain the fluid from the stomach during surgery. The patient is asleep with anesthesia, and doctors make cuts to get to the problem areas. Removing this infected fluid helps start the healing process. After treatment, the patient needs careful checks to prevent more problems.
Antibiotic Treatment for Peritonitis
Antibiotics are crucial in treating peritonitis. They help stop the infection from spreading. These medicines fight many types of bacteria. The choice of antibiotic depends on how bad the infection is and the patient’s needs.
Doctors usually use these antibiotics for peritonitis:
- Cefepime
- Metronidazole
- Piperacillin-tazobactam
- Gentamicin
Doctors pick the right antibiotics and how long to use them based on the patient’s reaction. It’s very important to finish the antibiotic course. This step ensures all the infection is gone and prevents the bacteria from becoming resistant.
Surgical Interventions for Peritonitis
When peritonitis doesn’t get better with medicine, surgery is needed. The goal of surgery is to get rid of the infection’s source, fix any stomach organ holes, and make sure the body works fine.
The type of surgery done depends on why the peritonitis happened. Here are some common ones:
| Surgical Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| Appendectomy | Removal of the inflamed appendix in cases of appendicitis-related peritonitis. |
| Bowel Resection | Surgically removing a section of the intestine affected by infection, injury, or disease. |
| Peritoneal Lavage | Thorough rinsing and cleansing of the abdominal cavity to remove infected material. |
| Repair of Perforations | Closure of perforations or injuries in the abdominal organs to prevent further spreading of infection. |
Experts from different medical fields work together during surgery. They aim for the best possible result. The surgery type depends on how serious the infection is, the person’s health, and the problem’s size.
Conclusion
Peritonitis is a serious illness needing quick medical care. Without treatment, it might cause problems like fluid collecting in your peritoneum. This could lead to dehydration and infection spreading. In worst cases, it can cause sepsis which is life-threatening.
To diagnose peritonitis, doctors look at your symptoms, do physical checks, and run tests. It’s crucial to find out what’s causing it to treat it right. Early diagnosis and treatment help lower the chances of problems and make you better faster.
For peritonitis, treatment often involves surgery, antibiotics, and making sure you’re stable. The surgery fixes the root of the issue, like a hole in the stomach. It also cleans out any infected fluid to stop further issues, like abscesses.
If you have intense stomach pain or think you have peritonitis, don’t wait. Get medical help right away. Quick care makes all the difference. It lowers the risk of serious complications and gets you the treatment you need.
FAQ
Q: What is peritonitis?
A: Peritonitis is when the lining of the abdominal wall gets inflamed. It covers most organs in the belly.
Q: What are the causes of peritonitis?
A: Bacteria, fungi, or your stomach’s acid can cause peritonitis. So can pancreatic juice or other factors.
Q: What are the symptoms of peritonitis?
A: Its symptoms are really clear: your belly hurts, you feel sickly, and often throw up. You might get very tired and have a fever.
Q: How is peritonitis diagnosed?
A: Doctors use physical exams, blood tests, and more to tell. They might also check the fluid around the organs in your belly.
Q: What is the treatment for peritonitis?
A: Fighting peritonitis can mean having surgery. Or, you might need antibiotics. Other help could involve supportive care measures.
Q: What are the types of peritonitis?
A: Primary and secondary are the two kinds. Primary comes from infections in the peritoneum itself. Secondary starts from organs breaking in the belly or the gut leaking.
Q: What are the common causes of secondary peritonitis?
A: Ruptures or holes in the gallbladder, intestines, stomach, or severe belly injuries can cause it.
Q: How serious is acute peritonitis?
A: Acute peritonitis is very serious and can be deadly. But, quick treatment can save your life.
Q: What are the symptoms of acute peritonitis?
A: Telltale signs include severe belly pain and feeling very sick. You might throw up, be very tired, and have a fever. There could also be signs of an infection.
Q: How is peritonitis diagnosed and treated?
A: To diagnose it, doctors look at your symptoms and run tests. Fast treatment often involves surgery and strong antibiotics.
Q: What are the potential complications of peritonitis?
A: If it’s not treated, peritonitis can cause fluid buildup in the belly. Plus, it can dehydrate you and spread the infection. Sepsis, a deadly condition, could also start.
Q: Is stem cell therapy an option for peritonitis?
A: Some experts see potential in using stem cell therapy for treating peritonitis.