The peritoneum is the serous membrane that lines the inner surface of the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs. Sometimes it becomes inflamed - and the doctor makes a diagnosis of peritonitis. Symptoms do not always allow you to draw conclusions about the nature of the disease at home, but with the slightest suspicion of peritonitis, you should immediately call an ambulance. Because with this diagnosis, mortality is more than 10 percent with professional treatment. Without treatment, almost everyone dies.
Do not play dangerous games of "folk treatment" with the disease "peritonitis". Symptoms at the beginning of the development of inflammation are similar to ordinary food poisoning: nausea and very severe vomiting are characteristic, which are combined with dull or aching pain in the abdomen, which becomes especially noticeable when touched. However, soon the pain becomes incessant and unbearable, intensifying with any movement. The patient may have chills and fever. It seems to him that fluid flows in the stomach. Indomitable thirst also often arises. Often the patient cannot urinate or releases much less fluid than usual. It happens that the bowel movement for such a patient becomes almost impossible.
Why does peritonitis occur? The symptoms we have listed alone cannot explain the onset of the disease. Let's talk about the most common causes of peritonitis.
Firstly, these are liver diseases accompanied by a cirrhosis process. With this disease, fluid accumulates in the stomach, into which pathogens of the infectious process can penetrate . The inflammation caused by them is peritonitis. The signs of the disease are combined with the classic symptoms of liver damage, for example, yellow sclera.
Secondly, during the process of peritoneal dialysis, when a catheter is inserted into the abdominal cavity , infection is possible. Therefore, such manipulations can only be carried out in clinics that inspire confidence.
Thirdly, other very serious conditions can provoke peritonitis, the symptoms of which are so menacing. Such as rupture of the appendix, pancreatitis, perforation of the wall of the stomach, intestines or gall bladder.
Peritonitis, the treatment of which can only be entrusted to a doctor, is always a disease that directly threatens the patient's life. Therefore, with the main symptom - excruciating pain with any movement spilled throughout the stomach, you need to immediately call an ambulance, and not try to take the patient to the clinic. After all, the therapist will not be able to help. The disease can quickly provoke sepsis. And this condition is very difficult to treat.
If the patient's blood pressure drops sharply, this may be a sign of sepsis. Be sure to report this symptom to the operator who takes the call to the ambulance, the fact is that in this case a resuscitation team may be needed, and not the usual one.
After the patient is admitted to the hospital, he will be immediately prescribed intravenous therapy with the most powerful antibiotics or antifungal agents. In order to accurately know the pathogen, the doctor will take a puncture of fluid in the peritoneum. If the patient develops a failure of any of the organs, then maintenance therapy of one or another organ will be urgently started. Surgical treatments are often required, especially if peritonitis is caused by rupture of the appendix or perforation of the wall of the stomach, intestines, or gall bladder. In this case, the surgeon will remove the infected tissue and also remove the particularly affected part of the peritoneum. Of course, cosmetic seams in this situation will not work. Most likely, they will strip the entire stomach. And after the operation, a drainage system will be installed, which is also very unpleasant. Therefore, we must try not to bring the matter to peritonitis, and if they suspect it, immediately seek help.
Peritonitis, the symptoms of which we discussed, can be prevented if you monitor the condition of your internal organs, for example, not to allow the ulcer to reach the degree of perforation. So regularly undergo physical examinations and take timely measures to prevent diseases. Then you do not have to suspect peritonitis and urgently call the ambulance.