What You Need to Know about Peritonitis Symptoms And Treatments

The peritoneum is the tissue that lines your abdomen wall and covers the abdominal organs. Inflammation of this tissue causes a medical condition called peritonitis. 

Left untreated, peritonitis can lead to severe health problems and even become fatal. 

So how do you know if you or a loved one might be suffering from peritonitis? What treatments are available? When should you seek medical attention for peritonitis? We put together this guide to help you understand peritonitis. 

Causes of peritonitis

Peritonitis comes from a fungal or bacterial infection. The infection can result from injury to the abdomen, an underlying condition, or a medical device. Causes of peritonitis include:

• Burst appendix

• Stomach ulcer

• Pancreatitis

• Trauma to the stomach (i.e., knife or gunshot wound)

• Post-surgical infection  

• Digestive conditions (i.e., ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, and Crohn's disease)

• End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver)

• Certain medical procedures, like peritoneal dialysis

• Invasion medical device, like a feeding tube 

Signs and symptoms of peritonitis

Symptoms of peritonitis can vary from person to person. However, the most common signs are:

• Severe stomach pain that gets worse with movement

• Tenderness in the abdomen 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Swollen belly

• Fluid in the stomach

• Constipation or unable to pass gas

• Low urine output 

• Excessive thirst 

• Unexplained weight loss 

If you receive peritoneal dialysis, you may also experience

• cloudy or white clumps in the dialysis fluid

• redness or pain around your catheter

Peritonitis treatment options

Peritonitis can lead to sepsis, causing organ failure and death when left untreated. Therefore, you should immediately seek medical attention if you develop any signs or symptoms. 

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, do a physical exam, and examine a sample of the infected fluid taken from your abdomen to diagnose peritonitis. To determine the problem, they may also perform x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and blood or urine tests. 

If you are diagnosed, you will most likely be admitted to the hospital. Treatment for peritonitis typically starts with intravenous (IV) antibiotics or antifungal medications. 

Surgery may be necessary if the peritoneum is severely damaged or to correct the root cause of the infection, like appendicitis. 

Preventing peritonitis

If you have cirrhosis or ascites, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent peritonitis.

Although peritonitis can be a complication of peritoneal dialysis, you can lower your risk by:

• Thoroughly wash your hands and under fingernails before touching the catheter

• Following your physician's instructions on the care and storage of medical supplies

• Cleaning catheter site daily

• Reporting any contamination of dialysis fluid to your peritoneal dialysis nurse. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a single dose of antibiotics to prevent an infection.

Peritonitis can quickly become a deadly medical condition. Seeking medical attention at the start of symptoms is essential for anyone with peritonitis to receive adequate treatment. 

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