Human abdominal organs like stomach and intestines are mainly covered by a two layered membrane called peritoneum.
This layer mainly supports the abdominal organs of your body and protects them from several infections. Any inflammation or infection to this protective layer results in a serious inflammatory disease, peritonitis.
Peritonitis requires immediate treatment!
Peritonitis infection usually spreads through the organs within your abdomen and as a result this protective layer, peritoneum gets completely affected and causes a pus filled cavity on the walls of the layer. As a result, it can lead to many life threatening health conditions, so it is very essential to treat this inflammation in initial stages itself.
Any rupture of infection, any where along the entire gastrointestinal tract can be responsible for creating a pathway for the entry of an infectious substance into the peritoneum. As a result, the muscles which are present within the walls of your intestine become paralyzed and the further movement of the intestinal contents comes to an end.
Effect of infection on the protective layer of your abdomen:
This bacterial infection mostly affects peritoneum in two different forms: one is primary peritonitis and the other one includes secondary peritonitis. Some of the important factors which can increase the risk of primary peritonitis include liver disease, commonly known as cirrhosis, kidney damage, formation of fluid in your abdomen and also certain pelvic inflammatory diseases. Certain risk factors associated with secondary peritonitis include stomach ulcers, appendicitis, damage to pancreas and also trauma.
The most severe form of peritonitis restricts the bowel movements in your body which can block the bowel. Fluid which comes from blood stream leaks and reaches to your abdominal cavity. You can also experience severe dehydration problem due to the lack of fluid, which circulates in your body and you can also develop shock.
Some of the possible indications of infection include:
- Swelling or tenderness in your abdominal region associated with a sharp pain.
- Lower levels of blood pressure.
- Restricted urine production.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- You can also experience fever and chills when you are affected with this kind of inflammation.
- Loss of appetite is also one of the most common signs of peritonitis.
Recognize the infection in initial stages and avoid all these complications of peritonitis to lead a healthy life.
