Peritonitis

Diagnosis

The following procedure will assist the healthcare provide to properly diagnose peritonitis: 

• Physical examination: Initially, your healthcare provider will inquire about your previous medical history and present medical conditions. In order to determine whether your abdomen is bloated, sensitive to touch, or rigid, they will physically examine you. 

If your peritonitis is related to peritoneal dialysis, your symptoms can be sufficient for the healthcare provider to diagnose the disease. 

In the event that more investigation is required to confirm a diagnosis, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Blood tests: To determine whether you have an increase in white blood cells that fight disease, a sample of your blood may be drawn. Usually, this indicates an inflammation or disease. To determine whether there are bacteria in your blood, you may also undergo a blood culture test.
• Imaging tests: An X–ray examination could be necessary to look for any tears or holes in your digestive system. Additionally, you might get an ultrasound exam, which creates images of internal organs using sound waves. You might undergo a CT scan in specific circumstances.
• Peritoneal fluid analysis: A tiny needle is used to draw fluid from your peritoneum (paracentesis) for this test. If you receive peritoneal dialysis or have fluid in the abdomen due to liver disease, you are more likely to have this test. A higher number of white blood cells in this fluid typically indicates inflammation or an infection. To find bacteria, the fluid can be cultured. 

Treatment

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis poses a life–threatening situation that requires hospitalization for treatment. Treatment typically involves the administration of antibiotics along with supportive care to alleviate symptoms. 

Additionally, you will require hospitalization for secondary peritonitis. Possible course of treatment: 

• Antibiotics: Antibiotic medication will probably be administered to you through intravenous. This eliminates the infection and prevents it from spreading. The kind of antibiotic you require and the duration of its administration will vary. The severity of the condition and the type of peritonitis you have will determine how things turn out.
• Surgery: This is frequently required in order to eliminate infected tissue, address the underlying cause of the infection, and stop the infection from spreading. If a ruptured appendix, stomach, or colon is the cause of your peritonitis, surgery is important.
• Other treatments: Your hospital stay will likely involve the following treatments, depending on your symptoms:
  • Intravenous fluids.
  • Oxygen.
  • Pain medications.
  • Blood transfusion (if needed).

If diagnosed with peritonitis, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative method of dialysis while your body recuperates. This temporary switch may be necessary for a few days until your medical condition improves. In cases where peritonitis persists or recurs, you might need to discontinue peritoneal dialysis altogether and transition to a different form of dialysis.