Inflammation of the peritoneum is an extremely dangerous condition. After all, with such a disease, the work of all organs of the abdominal cavity is disrupted . Why does peritonitis occur ? What is this What are the symptoms of the disease?
Peritonitis - what is it?
Peritonitis is a disease in which inflammation of the abdominal wall is observed. A similar disease develops for various reasons. In modern medicine, there are several classification schemes for this ailment. For example, the inflammatory process can be local, strictly localized in a certain area. But often the inflammation extends to the entire peritoneum - in such cases, peritonitis is called total. In addition, the disease may be accompanied by an accumulation of serous fluid or pus.
Causes of Peritonitis
In most cases, the infection develops against the background of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi and viruses can enter tissues in different ways. For example, an infection may be introduced during an injury or surgery. But most often pathogenic microbes enter the abdominal wall along with blood and lymph from other foci of inflammation. Sometimes the disease is the result of damage to the pelvic organs.
There is aseptic peritonitis. What it is? The cause of this form of the disease is not an infection, but toxins - it can be blood, gastric juice, bile, etc. Often this is observed with perforation of the ulcer, perforations in the intestine, rupture of the appendix, etc.
What are the symptoms of peritonitis?
The clinical picture of this disease can be divided into three main stages. Signs of peritonitis will directly depend on the stage of its development:
- The initial, or reactive stage lasts about a day. During this period, the symptoms of the primary disease become more pronounced. Along with this, severe abdominal pains are observed, which are accompanied by a strong tension of the abdominal muscles. The body temperature rises, the patient complains of weakness. Often, peritonitis leads to the death of a person already during the first days after the onset of inflammation.
- In the future, the toxic phase begins, which is characterized by an apparent improvement in the patient's condition. The soreness and tension of the abdomen disappears, and the person himself is in a state of euphoria and lethargy. Along with this, constant nausea arises , systematically turning into vomiting. The patient's skin becomes pale, and facial features are sharpened. According to statistics, about 20% of patients die at this stage.
- The last, terminal stage is considered the most dangerous, since only 10% of patients survive after such severe violations. The body begins to gradually deplete. The skin becomes earthy, and the cheeks and eyes sag. Frequent vomiting, severe shortness of breath, tachycardia are observed. The patient’s abdomen swells violently, and the slightest movement responds with severe pain. Possible mental disorders.
Methods of treatment of peritonitis
A patient with such symptoms must be urgently taken to the surgical department. Only a doctor knows how peritonitis is manifested, what it is and what additional studies need to be done. In no case should you self-medicate, because this is an extremely dangerous disease.
Peritonitis requires surgery. During the operation, doctors eliminate the focus of infection, cleanse the tissue of pus or serous fluid, eliminate intestinal obstruction, thoroughly wash the abdominal cavity and wall with antiseptic agents, and, if necessary, put drainage. After surgery, prolonged antibacterial and immunomodulating therapy follows.