Peritonitis is inflammation and infection of the abdominal lining, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and difficulty passing stool and urine. It can lead to serious complications and requires prompt medical attention, including antibiotics and possibly surgery.
Peritonitis refers to irritation, inflammation, and infection of the inner lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum. It is a potentially serious condition that can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. The most common peritonitis symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, high fever, chills, and nausea. Symptoms of peritonitis tend to get worse over time without treatment and can lead to breathing problems, dangerously low blood pressure, and possibly shock. A person experiencing lasting symptoms should visit a doctor as soon as possible to get the proper antibiotic treatment.
Early symptoms of peritonitis typically include dull aches and tenderness in the abdomen. The pain tends to get worse after physical activity or when you suddenly move from one position to another. The tenderness is relieved in some people by putting pressure on the stomach, but it soon returns when the abdomen is relaxed. Bloating and bloating are possible, giving the abdomen a distended appearance. Over the course of a few days, the pain, tenderness and swelling tend to become constant ailments.
Many people with peritonitis also have stomach cramps, frequent bouts of nausea, and vomiting. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss are common complications of feeling nauseous most of the time. Flu-like symptoms, such as excessive sweating, fever, chills, and trouble sleeping, tend to develop as other symptoms worsen. Individuals might also feel tired and muscles and joints may start to ache constantly.
Other possible symptoms of peritonitis include problems passing stool and urine. A marked decrease in urine output is common, and a person may not be able to urinate even when they need to. Passing very little stool and gas is a sign that ingested food and waste products are having difficulty reaching the lower intestine. Inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract can cause air and fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis symptoms to worsen.
It is essential to see a doctor whenever symptoms persist for more than a day or two. A doctor may ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam, and examine blood samples to look for signs of infection. Imaging tests can reveal peritoneal inflammation and problems with the intestines. Most symptoms can be managed with anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and a specific diet when caught early. Surgery may be needed in advanced cases of peritonitis to remove bacterial abscesses or repair damaged tissue structures.
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