Peritonitis

Overview

Your healthcare provider will begin by asking about your medical history and current conditions. They will physically examine your abdomen and check to see if it is swollen, sensitive to the touch or rigid. If it is, they will follow up with a blood test to check for evidence of inflammation or infection (high white blood cell count). They may also take images of your abdominal organs to look for causes of peritonitis.

One way to confirm and identify the specific infection in your peritoneum is to draw out some of the fluid with a needle (paracentesis) and test it in a lab (peritoneal fluid culture). In cases of ascites, this can also help relieve pressure in your abdomen. In more difficult cases, when your healthcare provider can’t find the cause of your peritonitis, they may need to explore your abdominal cavity in surgery to find and fix the problem.

Products & Services

A Book: Future Care

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.