Peritonitis
What is Peritonitis?
Human body has various systems like circulatory system, nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system etc to ensure the healthy life of you. Each system has a chain of organs to ensure proper functioning of system and every system has its specific function and importance. There are number of factors which can lead to development of abnormalities to a system or an organ of the system. Such abnormalities result is malfunctioning or dysfunction of particular organ or whole system. That is what we commonly call as diseases or disorders. Abdomen (commonly referred to as stomach) is responsible for proper digestion of food and also for protection of inner organs with the help of abdomen wall tissues. When these walls gets inflamed such condition is called as peritonitis.
Description of Peritonitis
Peritonitis is also referred to as acute abdomen in medical terminology. As suggestive from the nomenclature peritonitis is disorder of peritoneum. Abdominal organs are covered by the abdomen wall. These abdomen walls are made up of membrane known as peritoneum.
Sings and symptoms of Peritonitis
Sings and symptoms of peritonitis are associated with type of peritonitis and stage of the disease and may vary from one person to another. Following are some of the common symptoms of peritonitis.
- Pain in abdomen
- Abdominal distention
- Tenderness of abdomen
- Vomiting or nausea
- Fever
- Decreased urine output
- Difficulty in passing gas or feces
- Tenderness at a particular point
- Accumulation of fluid in abdomen
- Abnormal thirst
Never ignore any symptoms. Whenever you experience one or some of the above symptoms you must consult your health care provider immediately. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will provide quicker relief from peritonitis.
Causes responsible for occurrence of Peritonitis
There are number of factors which could contribute towards development of peritonitis. Apart from these factors peritonitis can develop due to complications produced by other diseases. Following are some of the diseases which can produce complications that may lead to occurrence of peritonitis.
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Infection spread from digestive organs
Different forms of Peritonitis
Based on the severity and nature of the disease peritonitis is classified in three main categories namely Spontaneous Peritonitis, Secondary peritonitis and Dialysis associated Peritonitis.
- Spontaneous Peritonitis: Complications produced by the fluid accumulation in abdomen (specifically area around kidney and liver), which leads to infection is considered as major factor responsible for development of spontaneous peritonitis. Usually, this type of peritonitis develops after liver or kidney failure.
- Secondary Peritonitis: When the membrane lines of stomach wall get inflamed due to another condition such inflammation results in development of secondary peritonitis. Spread of infection from digestive organs or bowels is considered as common condition that could result in occurrence of secondary peritonitis.
- Dialysis associated Peritonitis: In simple words it is a complication produced by dialysis treatment. In this form of peritonitis, chronic or acute inflammation of abdominal lining is observed.
Treatment of Peritonitis
The treatment depends upon the nature and cause of peritonitis. Use of antibiotics and surgery are most common treatments.