Peritonitis (patient information)

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Peritonitis (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Peritonitis (patient information) Most cited articles on Peritonitis (patient information) Review articles on Peritonitis (patient information) Articles on Peritonitis (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Peritonitis (patient information) Images of Peritonitis (patient information) Photos of Peritonitis (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Peritonitis (patient information) Videos on Peritonitis (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Peritonitis (patient information) Bandolier on Peritonitis (patient information) TRIP on Peritonitis (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Peritonitis (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Peritonitis (patient information) Clinical Trials on Peritonitis (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Peritonitis (patient information) NICE Guidance on Peritonitis (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Peritonitis (patient information) CDC on Peritonitis (patient information)
Books
Books on Peritonitis (patient information)
News
Peritonitis (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Peritonitis (patient information) News trends on Peritonitis (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Peritonitis (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Peritonitis (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Peritonitis (patient information) Discussion groups on Peritonitis (patient information) Patient Handouts on Peritonitis (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Peritonitis (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Peritonitis (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Peritonitis (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Peritonitis (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Peritonitis (patient information) Treatment of Peritonitis (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Peritonitis (patient information)
International
Peritonitis (patient information) en Espanol Peritonitis (patient information) en Francais
Business
Peritonitis (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Peritonitis (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Peritonitis (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Peritonitis?

Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs.

There are three specific types of peritonitis:

• Spontaneous peritonitis: Spontaneous peritonitis is usually caused by ascites, a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This usually occurs from liver or kidney failure.
• Secondary peritonitis:Secondary peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Secondary means it is due to another condition, most commonly the spread of an infection from the digestive tract.
• Dialysis associated peritonitis: Dialysis-associated peritonitis is inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), which occurs in those who receive peritoneal dialysis.

What are the symptoms of Peritonitis?

• Abdominal distention
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Fever
• Fluid in the abdomen
• Inability to pass feces or gas
• Low urine output
• Nausea and vomiting
• Point tenderness
• Thirst

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include:

• Cloudy dialysis fluid (if undergoing peritoneal dialysis)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shaking chills
• Signs of shock

What are the causes of Peritonitis?

A collection of pus in the abdomen, called an intra-abdominal abscess, may cause peritonitis.

When to seek urgent medical care

With treatment, patients usually do well. Without treatment, the outcome is usually poor. However, in some cases, patients do poorly even with prompt and appropriate treatment.

Where to find medical care for Peritonitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Peritonitis