Peritonitis in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Peritonitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening inflammation of the lining inside your abdomen (the peritoneum). It requires emergency medical care. If you are in the Grand Rapids area and suspect peritonitis, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency department, such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health facilities.

What Is Peritonitis?

The peritoneum is a thin, protective membrane that:

  • Covers the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum), such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen
  • Lines the inside of the abdominal wall (parietal peritoneum)
  • Contains a small amount of lubricating fluid so organs can move smoothly as you breathe and digest food

A layer of fat called the omentum sits between the organs and the abdominal wall, helping protect the organs.

Peritonitis occurs when this lining becomes inflamed, usually due to a bacterial infection. Without rapid treatment, peritonitis can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death.

Symptoms of Peritonitis

Peritonitis is a medical emergency. In Grand Rapids, you should seek urgent care at a local hospital if you notice any of the following:

  • Severe, constant abdominal pain (often worsens with movement or coughing)
  • Abdominal tenderness and a hard, board-like abdomen
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
  • Bloating or abdominal swelling
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting (signs of shock)
  • Confusion, extreme weakness, or difficulty breathing

If someone shows signs of shock (cold, clammy skin, fast pulse, confusion, very low blood pressure), call 911 immediately.

Types of Peritonitis

Doctors in Grand Rapids and across Michigan generally classify peritonitis into two main types:

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP)

Spontaneous peritonitis usually occurs in people who already have serious medical problems, especially:

  • Severe liver disease (cirrhosis)
  • Heart failure
  • Advanced kidney disease

These conditions can cause fluid buildup in the abdomen, called ascites.

What Is Ascites?

Ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. In Grand Rapids, ascites is commonly seen in patients with chronic liver disease, sometimes related to alcohol use or hepatitis.

When ascites is present:

  • The fluid can become infected with bacteria
  • The body’s immune defenses are often weakened
  • This combination can lead to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Symptoms of spontaneous peritonitis may be less dramatic than secondary peritonitis but still require urgent care:

  • Worsening belly pain or tenderness
  • Fever
  • Feeling generally unwell or confused (especially in liver disease)

Secondary Peritonitis

Secondary peritonitis is more common and usually more severe. It happens when infection or contents from an abdominal organ leak or burst into the abdominal cavity. This can be caused by:

  • Perforated (burst) ulcer

    • A severe, untreated stomach or duodenal ulcer can burn through the wall, allowing stomach acid, digestive juices, and food to spill into the abdomen.

  • Perforated bowel (intestine)

    • Can result from conditions like diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, trauma, or severe infection.

  • Appendicitis with burst appendix

    • The appendix is a small pouch off the large intestine. If it becomes blocked with stool or food and infected, it can swell and burst, spreading pus and bacteria.

  • Perforated gallbladder

    • The gallbladder stores bile from the liver. A severe infection (cholecystitis) can cause it to rupture, leaking infected bile.

  • Pancreatitis

    • Inflammation of the pancreas, often due to alcohol use or gallstones, can cause severe inflammation and infection in the abdomen.

  • Ectopic pregnancy

    • A pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. If the tube ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding and peritonitis.

  • Salpingitis

    • Infection and inflammation of the fallopian tubes. In severe cases, the tube can fill with pus and burst.

Other Causes and Risk Factors

Peritonitis can also develop after:

  • Abdominal surgery – leakage from an anastomosis (surgical connection) or infection
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis – severe intestinal disease in newborns
  • Bloodstream infection (sepsis) – infection spreading to the abdomen
  • Peritoneal dialysis – used for kidney failure; infection can occur if technique or equipment is contaminated
  • Penetrating injuries – such as a stab wound or gunshot to the abdomen

In the Grand Rapids region, patients receiving peritoneal dialysis are typically followed by nephrology teams at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or other local clinics. Strict hygiene is crucial to prevent peritonitis.

Why Peritonitis Is So Dangerous

When the peritoneum becomes infected:

  • The normal movement of the intestines (peristalsis) slows or stops
  • Fluid is drawn into the abdominal cavity, causing severe dehydration
  • Electrolytes (important body salts like sodium and potassium) become dangerously imbalanced
  • Bacteria and toxins can enter the bloodstream, leading to sepsis
  • Vital organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver can begin to fail

Without prompt treatment, a person with peritonitis can die within a few days.

How Peritonitis Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you come to a Grand Rapids emergency department with severe abdominal pain, your healthcare team may suspect peritonitis. Evaluation typically includes:

Physical Examination

  • Checking for abdominal tenderness, guarding, or rigidity
  • Listening for absence of bowel sounds
  • Assessing for signs of shock (low blood pressure, fast pulse)

Laboratory Tests

  • Blood tests to look for infection, inflammation, organ function, and electrolyte levels
  • Blood cultures to identify bacteria in the bloodstream

Imaging

  • X-rays to look for air under the diaphragm (sign of perforation) or bowel obstruction
  • Ultrasound or CT scan to detect fluid, abscesses, perforations, or inflamed organs

Peritoneal Fluid Culture

  • A sample of fluid from the abdomen (especially in patients with ascites or on peritoneal dialysis) is taken with a needle and examined for bacteria and white blood cells.

Laparoscopy

  • In some cases, minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) is used to look directly inside the abdomen and identify the source of infection.

Treatment for Peritonitis in Grand Rapids

Peritonitis is always treated in the hospital, often in an intensive care unit (ICU) at facilities such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health.

Hospitalization and Supportive Care

  • Close monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and urine output
  • Oxygen or ventilator support if breathing is affected
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration and restore electrolytes

Antibiotics

  • Broad-spectrum IV antibiotics are started quickly to control infection
  • Once lab results identify the specific bacteria, antibiotics may be adjusted to target those organisms

Surgery

Many cases of secondary peritonitis require emergency surgery to:

  • Repair or remove the ruptured or perforated organ (e.g., appendix, bowel, gallbladder)
  • Wash out the abdominal cavity to remove pus, blood, and contaminated fluid
  • Drain any abscesses

Treatment of the Underlying Cause

Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

  • Managing ulcers, Crohn’s disease, or diverticulitis
  • Treating gallstones or gallbladder disease
  • Addressing alcohol use if pancreatitis is alcohol-related
  • Managing ectopic pregnancy or pelvic infections in women
  • Adjusting peritoneal dialysis technique or switching to hemodialysis

Adhesions and Long-Term Complications

After peritonitis or abdominal surgery, some people develop adhesions:

  • Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form between organs and the abdominal wall
  • They can sometimes cause the intestine to twist or become blocked (bowel obstruction)
  • Symptoms include crampy abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to pass gas or stool

In some cases, surgery is needed to cut these adhesions and relieve obstruction.

Local Considerations in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region, there are a few health factors to keep in mind:

  • Cold winters and icy conditions increase the risk of falls and trauma, which can, in rare cases, cause internal injuries leading to peritonitis.
  • Alcohol-related liver disease and gallstone disease—both risk factors for peritonitis—are managed locally by gastroenterology and hepatology specialists at major Grand Rapids health systems.
  • The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health provide resources on chronic disease management, vaccination, and infection prevention that can lower overall infection risk.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 911 or go to the nearest Grand Rapids emergency department immediately if you have:

  • Sudden, severe, or worsening abdominal pain
  • Abdominal pain with fever, vomiting, or inability to pass gas or stool
  • Abdominal pain plus dizziness, fainting, or confusion
  • Known liver disease or ascites with new or worsening abdominal tenderness or confusion
  • Signs of infection around a peritoneal dialysis catheter

Do not wait to see if symptoms improve. Early treatment at a Grand Rapids hospital can be lifesaving.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Emergency: Call 911
  • Local Emergency Departments:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital – Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities in the Grand Rapids area
  • Primary Care or Specialist:
    • Your family doctor, gastroenterologist, nephrologist, or OB/GYN
  • Public Health Resources:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs and clinics

Key Points About Peritonitis

  • Peritonitis is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.
  • The peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity and allows organs to move freely during digestion.
  • Peritonitis is usually caused by bacterial infection, either spontaneously (often in people with liver disease and ascites) or secondary to a ruptured or perforated organ.
  • Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, inability to pass gas or stool, and signs of shock.
  • In Grand Rapids, prompt care at local hospitals with IV antibiotics, fluids, and often surgery can be lifesaving.