PERITONITIS
Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the
peritoneum, the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and
covers the abdominal organs. Peritonitis can result from infection
(such as bacteria or parasites), injury and bleeding, or diseases.
The signs and symptoms of peritonitis include:
• Swelling and tenderness in the abdomen; pain can range
from dull aches to severe, sharp pain causing board-like rigidity
• Fever and chills
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased breathing and heart rates
• Shallow breaths
• Low blood pressure
• Limited urine production
• Inability to pass gas or feces
Homeopathic Medicine & Treatment for Peritonitis
#Aconite. [Acon]
When peritonitis arises from exposure to cold, and only then, is
Aconite the remedy. The indications are a rapid increase of the
fever, with violent peritoneal pains. Here it will relieve the pains
and reduce the raging febrile storm, and after this is accomplished
the remedy should be discontinued. It may perchance be the remedy
in traumatic peritonitis, but as soon as the disease has localized
itself Aconite is of no more use than it is in peritonitis from
perforation, obstruction of the bowels or in the infectious forms.
For the sharp febrile attacks the lower dilutions in repeated doses
are to be preferred. Ferrum phosphoricum is also a valuable remedy
for peritonitis arising from cold.
#Bryonia.
The second stage of peritonitis, especially of the serous variety,
corresponds well to Bryonia; as a rule, however, it should not be
given if copious diarrhoea be present. Thus we see that this remedy
comes in at the most important stage of the disease, and it may
be given until the effusion becomes free or purulent, when the symptoms
will no longer correspond. It is indicated when the fever is violent
with a burning heat all over; the patient is in an impatient irascible
mood and the excitability of the nervous system is marked. There
is violent thirst, the patient drinking much and probably vomiting
it soon afterwards. The patient is alternately chilly and hot, and
the great characteristic of the remedy is present, namely, sharp
stitching pains in the abdomen worse from pressure and motion. The
abdomen is also swollen, hot and sensitive ; there is constipation
and the patient has a yellowish gray complexion. Sulphur follows
Bryonia, but if ulcerative symptoms be present do not give it, as
it would be a loss of time. It comes in after Aconite in peritonitis
from cold.
#Belladonna. [Bell]
The characteristic of Belladonna are the swollen abdomen, which
is tense like a drum, very sensitive to touch, so sensitive that
the patient wants the bedclothes removed. The least jar greatly
aggravates. There is much cerebral irritation; perhaps delirium
and the discharge is scanty or suppressed. The slightest noise,
loud talking and light aggravates. The patient is uneasy; must constantly
change her position, but is made worse thereby. There is a sensation
as if the bowels were grasped or clawed and a violent pressure towards
the genital organs; the latter symptom is almost a deciding one.
There is also a continued distressful retching, and vomiting even
of bile. This vomiting is especially met with Belladonna. Dr. Kafka
recommends, in case Belladonna fails, Atropine sulphate 6X, especially
is this remedy useful in secondary peritonitis in sensitive individuals,at
the commencement of perforation.
#Mercurius. [Merc]
When suppuration has commenced, and the abdomen is tympanitic, showing
evidences of effusion which is partly serous and partly purulent,
and the patient has rigors and sweats, Mercurius is the remedy.
It follows Belladonna well and often. There is the nocturnal aggravation,
the desire for cold water, the borborygmus and the diarrhoeic stools.
Frequent exacerbating fever with creeping chills and copious perspiration,
with no relief, is a group of valuable symptoms for Mercurius. Mercurius
corrosivus is also useful, especially in the purulent form, with
burning and cutting pains. Hughes prefers it to Bryonia, in most
cases, but it is likely to be better indicated in the purulent cases
than in the serous cases. Peritionitis with effusion. The inflammatory
action of this drug is intensely acute and tends rapidly to septic
and gangrenous disorganization. It is especially useful in violent
cases.
#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
When there is a typhoid tendency Rhus is the remedy in most cases.
The fever is high, the tongue is dry, the tip is red, the skin is
also dry and there is great adynamia and weakness. It comes in late
in a case,after Bryonia, where there is swelling of the abdomen
and diarrhoea which has been preceded by constipation. Its application
to septic stages and its well-known power to prevent absorption
of poisonous materials renders renders it a most valuable medicine.
Terebinth. When renal complications arise and there are violent
drawing pains in the region of the kidneys, scanty, bloody or suppressed
urine, excessive abdominal distension, weakness and prostration
this remedy will not disappoint.
#Lachesis. [Lach]
Another remedy for the low forms is Lachesis. Here the fever is
worse at night. The slightest touch to the surface of the body is
unbearable. It follows Belladonna well. There is tenderness at one
spot and typhoid symptoms are present. In inflammations associated
with a gangrenous tendency, such as is found in appendicitis, it
may be well indicated. Apis may be useful in the chronic form, with
tendency to dropsies. Colocynth is also recommended, but it hardly
corresponds to inflammatory conditions of any kind. It belongs to
the neurotic remedies. Arsenic iodide corresponds especially to
the tubercular variety and Arsenicum album is of great value in
septic cases of an asthenic type. |