Peritonitis: drugs, causes, symptoms, etc. & bull; hello healthy

x

Definition of peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the digestive system that centers on the peritoneum. This condition may occur due to peritoneal dialysis, a dialysis procedure in kidney disease.

The peritoneum is the inner lining of the stomach which acts as a natural filter. This layer has fluid and covers the organs in your stomach to protect and support them. Usually, inflammation occurs due to a bacterial or fungal infection.

This condition can result from a hole (perforation) in the stomach, or as a complication of another medical condition, such as an abdominal injury.

If left untreated, this condition can spread into the blood (sepsis) and to other organs, resulting in organ failure and death. If you experience symptoms of this condition, contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the cause of the infection and / or inflammation. One of the very common symptoms that can appear in an instant is loss of appetite and nausea. Other signs include:

• stomach aches and pains,
• a feeling of fullness (distention) in the stomach,
• a fever that makes chills,
• diarrhea,
• urinating less,
• extreme thirst,
• inability or difficulty in having a bowel movement or passing gas, as well
  
• fatigue.

Quoted from the National Kidney Foundation, peritonitis is a life-threatening disease and may cause serious complications, depending on the cause and severity.

This condition can also lead to sepsis, a serious condition caused by the body's reaction to infection.

Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

When to see a doctor?

Try to contact your doctor as soon as possible for help when you experience discomfort, excruciating pain in your stomach, or feel full accompanied by:

• body temperature increases without cause,
• nausea and vomiting,
• thirsty,
  
• low levels of urine or feces that come out (anuria), as well
  
• can't pass wind.

Also recognize the signs of harm such as:

• sudden stomach pain that gets worse if you touch or move,
  
• a high fever which makes you feel hot and shaky,
  
• heart beat,
  
• can't urinate or urinate less than usual,
• loss of appetite, as well
  
• swollen stomach.

Causes and risk factors

What causes peritonitis?

This condition usually occurs due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Infection of the peritoneum can occur for many reasons. In most cases, the cause is a rupture or injury within the abdominal wall.

There are two main categories of causes of peritonitis. The first category is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) associated with tearing or infection of the peritoneal cavity fluid, and secondary peritonitis due to infection that has spread from the gastrointestinal tract.

Here are some things that can tear organs and cause peritonitis.

Medical procedures, such as peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis uses a catheter to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys are no longer able to do so.

People who use this device have a risk of infection if the catheter has been contaminated or if they do not maintain cleanliness around the area where the catheter is inserted.

Peritonitis may also occur as a complication of surgery on the digestive organs, use of a feeding tube or a procedure to draw fluid from the stomach (paracentesis).

In rare cases, colonoscopy or endoscopy can also cause complications of peritonitis.

A ruptured appendix, a perforated stomach or intestinal ulcer

This condition can make it easier for bacteria to enter the peritoneum through the wound opening and cause inflammation.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) caused by infection can develop into peritonitis when bacteria have spread to the outside of the pancreas.

Diverticulitis

A small pouch infection that protrudes in your digestive tract (diverticulitis) can occur when one of the pouches bursts and spills the digestive waste that is in your intestines into your abdominal cavity.

Injury

Injury can cause the condition by allowing bacteria or chemicals from other parts of your body to enter the peritoneum.

Conditions that develop without abdominal rupture (spontaneous peritonitis) are usually complications of liver disease, such as cirrhosis.

Advanced cirrhosis causes large amounts of fluid in your abdominal cavity (ascites). The buildup of fluid is susceptible to bacterial infection.

What increases the risk of this condition?

This condition generally occurs in people on peritoneal dialysis. In addition, several diseases such as cirrhosis, appendicitis, and Crohn's disease also increase a person's risk of peritonitis.

If you have had peritonitis before, your risk of getting the disease back is also higher than for people who have never had it.

Diagnosis

Initially, the doctor will ask about medical history, medication, and perform a physical examination.

If this condition is suspected, the doctor may refer you for further tests to make a diagnosis. Here are some of the tests.

Blood test

This test, called a complete blood count (CBC), can help measure your white blood cell count. A high white blood cell count usually indicates inflammation or infection.

Blood cultures can help identify the bacteria causing infection or inflammation.

Peritoneal fluid analysis

If fluid builds up in the stomach, the doctor can use a needle to take some and send the sample to a laboratory for fluid analysis.

Fluid cultures can also help identify bacteria.

Imaging tests, such as CT scans and X-rays

This examination is done to show a clear picture of the perforation or hole in the peritoneum of your body.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with the condition, you will need hospital treatment to get rid of the infection. This may take 10 to 14 days. Here are the various treatments.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading. The type and duration of a course of antibiotics will depend on the severity of the condition and the type of peritonitis you have.

Operation

If peritonitis is caused by a torn appendix, stomach or colon, surgical treatment is often important to remove the infected tissue, treat the cause of the infection, and prevent the spread of infection.

Feeding aids

It will be difficult for you to digest food if you are suffering from this condition. A feeding tube may be inserted into your stomach through your nose or placed inside your stomach using keyhole surgery.

If a feeding tube cannot be used, liquid nutrition can be administered directly into one of your veins.

Other treatment

Depending on your signs and symptoms, hospital treatment may include pain medications, intravenous (IV) fluids, supplemental oxygen and, in some cases, blood transfusions.

If you are on peritoneal dialysis, your doctor may suggest that you receive another way of dialysis for a few days while your body recovers from the infection.

If the condition persists or recurs, you may need to stop having the dialysis completely and switch to another dialysis completely.

Home remedies

Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis remain at high risk of developing peritonitis. The tips below may help prevent peritonitis.

• Keep your hands clean, including under your fingernails and between your fingers.
• Clean the skin around the catheter with an antiseptic every day.
• Store supplies in a clean area.
• Wearing a mask during dialysis fluid exchange.

Advanced precautions

If you have had spontaneous peritonitis before or if you have a buildup of peritoneal fluid due to a medical condition, such as cirrhosis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent the condition.

As for those of you who use proton pump inhibitors, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them.

If you still have questions about peritonitis, contact your doctor immediately to get the best solution.