TOPIC:

PERITONITIS(Inflammation of the peritoneum)

PERITONITISWhat is inflammation?

What is Peritoneum?

What is Peritonitis?

What causes Peritonitis?

What are the clinical features?

How is it treated?

What is inflammation? It is a physiological response to tissue damage.

It takes place when microbes have overcome the non-specific defense mechanism of the body.

Its aim is protective: to isolate, inactivate and remove BOTH the causative agent and the damaged tissue so that healing can take place.

It is characterized by a series of local changes: Redness, heat, pain, swelling and loss of function.

What is Peritoneum? It is the serous membrane covering the

abdominal Viscera (organs).

It is the largest serous membrane in the Human body.

Made of Two layers; parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum

Parietal peritoneum covers the walls of the abdominal cavity.

What is Peritoneum?Visceral peritoneum covers the

viscera/organsThere is a space between the two layers

known as the Peritoneal cavity.This cavity contains the serous fluid.This fluid is secreted by the peritoneal cells.Abdominal organs are suspended in the

peritoneal cavity and surrounded by the serous fluid.

What is Peritonitis?peritonitis is an infection resulting

in the inflammation of the peritoneum.

If left untreated the infections can spread and become potentially life threatening.

What are the types Peritonitis?• There are basically two types:

spontaneous peritonitis

secondary peritonitis

• This classification is done with regards to the cause.

Causes of peritonitis It can be cause by bacterial or fungal infections, excess

fluid build up or injury .

spontaneous peritonitis:

Peritoneal dialysis: Dialysis is the process that removes waste products and extra fluids from the blood when the kidneys cannot function properly. During this process, tiny blood vessels in the peritoneal cavity are used to perform this filtering function which can result in spontaneous peritonitis.

Causes of peritonitis Fluid build-up: Diseases such as cirrhosis which cause

damage to the liver, can result in fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity known as ascites. This fluid buildup can often lead to bacterial infection and eventually to peritonitis.

Secondary peritonitis:

• The main cause here is the escape of pus or other fluids from an infected abdominal organ such as, burst appendix, Pancreatitis, Salpingitis, abdominal surgery, trauma and injury etc.

Clinical Features Swelling and tenderness in the abdomen

light or severe, sharp pain

Fever

Loss of appetite

Thirst

Nausea and vomiting

Limited urine output

Inability to pass gas or stool

treatment Hospitalization

Medications(Dr prescribes antibiotics to kill bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading)

Intravenous fluids (to rehydrate the body and replace lost electrolytes)

Surgery (to remove infected tissue and repair damaged organs)

peritonitis