It is an inflammation or irritation in the peritoneum (membrane of thin tissue that lines the internal cavity of the abdomen, most of the organs located in it and the viscera) caused by an infection, irritating chemicals such as bile or gastric juices and also for trauma to the abdominal area. Peritonitis can be of three different types, primary, secondary and tertiary.
This infection is commonly caused by the accumulation of body fluids, blood or pus in the abdominal area, in primary peritonitis or also known as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a risk factor that can increase the chances of suffering from the infection is ascites (accumulation of fluid between the membrane that covers the abdomen and the organs), people who undergo treatments with peritoneal dialysis are also at greater risk
In secondary peritonitis, the main element that causes infection are blows or wounds to the belly, which can cause a perforation in some viscera or organs, infection contracted during surgery, abscess rupture, among others.
Finally, there is tertiary peritonitis, it generally occurs in people who, after a surgical intervention, have general discomfort in the body, perhaps caused by germs that are located within the peritoneal cavity.
The most prominent symptoms that this condition can generate are severe pain in the abdomen that can be sudden, the exact location of the pain will depend on the cause that generates the inflammation in the peritoneum, such abdominal discomfort can increase its intensity when performing any type of movement, even when coughing can cause severe pain in the patient, in the case of secondary peritonitis patients usually remain immobile to prevent the pain from getting worse and the abdomen becomes quite rigid to the touch. If the cause of the infection has been a perforation, a picture of general malaise may appear, with high levels of sweating and rhythm rapid heart rate, other symptoms are fever and vomiting.
The treatment to be applied for this infection can vary depending on the type, however it is common that in most cases, surgical intervention is used to correct the damage, after which antibiotics will be administered.
