Food Poisoning Remedies

Food poisoning is a condition caused by the consumption of contaminated food. It is also referred to as food borne illness or food borne disease. This mainly happens when some parasite, virus or bacteria enter the human body through food that is consumed. Food poisoning should not be taken lightly as it can prove to be fatal if neglected.

Food poisoning can be caused by a number of factors that interfere with the digestive system. A bacterial infection of the digestive system caused by consumption of contaminated food can lead to serious health problems that have been fatal in certain cases.

When diagnosed with food poisoning, it is necessary that you get timely food poisoning treatment from a medical professional. There are a number of informative articles available over the internet, with guidelines on what to do for food poisoning, but it is best that you seek medical help after ascertaining the symptoms and the probable cause for the food poisoning. There are various queries as to how long does food poisoning last. The length of the condition is dependent on the severity of the food poisoning, the body’s ability to fight infection and the way each individual’s body reacts to the medication that is being administered. Most advice on how to treat food poisoning will include the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest and will provide the body with the required nutrients to balance electrolytes and fluids that have been lost through vomiting and purging, which are symptomatic to food poisoning. There is no specific cure for food poisoning and it is primarily up to the body to flush out the bacterial infection that is causing the food poisoning. The best method of food poisoning prevention is to consume foods that are hygienically prepared and after having ensured that they are not past the period of shelf life.

Food Poisoning Symptoms

The most common signs of food poisoning include a loss of appetite, accompanied by purging and vomiting. Food poisoning during pregnancy can be extremely dangerous because it may cause an expectant mother to experience a miscarriage. The baby being developed in the womb is nourished by the foods consumed by the mother. If there is any contaminated food that is consumed, it will cause the mother to fall ill, as well as take its toll on the unborn child. Mild food poisoning symptoms will manifest in a loss of appetite and general feeling of illness. Avoiding dehydration is the most important part of fighting food poisoning as the body tends to lose a large amount of fluids through purging and vomiting. Along with food poisoning symptoms, fever may be another cause for concern for expectant mothers. Although people are aware of what are food poisoning symptoms, they tend to overlook them as mild illnesses, allowing the condition to worsen till a time when it is too late to help. Food poisoning symptoms and treatment should be monitored extremely carefully by medical practitioners so that the correct medication is administered. Being aware of the fact that food poisoning could be caused by an innumerable amount of factors, doctors should be given specific details of foods consumed so that they can accurately pin point the cause of the illness. Bacterial food poisoning symptoms need to be handled with extreme caution and the best bet would be to flush out the system with plenty of water and fruit juices to replenish lost electrolytes.

Food Poisoning Causes

As mentioned earlier, food poisoning causes and symptoms are not as easily recognizable as they appear to be, especially when a pregnancy is involved. During a pregnancy, expectant mothers tend to experience bouts of sickness that cause them to vomit. Though morning sickness need not necessarily occur in the morning, it can be easily misinterpreted for what may actually be a bout of food poisoning. Expectant mothers may continue to lose fluids because of vomiting, leading to dehydration and further complications in the pregnancy. If people experience more than three consecutive bouts of vomiting, there is cause for concern and medical advice should be sought without delay. There are several health issues caused by improper food storage. It is important to refrigerate fruits, vegetables and meats to preserve them against getting spoilt. The lowered temperature of a refrigeration unit will help in curbing the growth of bacteria that causes spoiling of food. Similarly, the use of sugar or salt solutions as preservatives, have been advised for long term storage of foods. Dehydrating foods is another way of protect them against spoilage. After dehydrating foods such as vegetables and fruits, they can be stored for longer periods of time, preserving them against bacteria that could cause them to get contaminated. Subsequently, preservation of foods through these methods will be of assistance in preventing food poisoning. Various issues with health can be prevented if only food is stored properly in airtight containers, under the correct temperatures.

Side Effects of Food Poisoning

People usually ask “What are the side effects of food poisoning?” as there are several misconceptions about the symptoms of this condition. The side effects of food poisoning include loss of fluids from the body, leading to dehydration and the loss of electrolytes because of the vomiting and loose motions that are experienced with this condition. Loss in appetite could cause further weakness and will not allow the body to repair worn out tissue because of the lack of nutrition. If the condition is not monitored carefully and the correct steps taken to arrest the infection of the digestive system, food poisoning could prove fatal, as it has in a number of cases in the past. Knowing that dehydration is the most important thing to avoid, people who are afflicted by a bout of food poisoning are advised to consume as many fluids as possible, either in the form of water, or in the form of fruit juices that will give nourishment. A diet must be followed for a few weeks after the bout of food poisoning because the digestive system is still weak and continues to recuperate from a major illness. Avoid fatty foods and meats that are difficult to digest as they put an unwanted strain on the complete digestive system. Instead, opt for a diet filled with green leafy vegetables that provide fiber to clear out the digestive system. Fruits and vegetables contain the required nutrients to boost the immune system as well as the fiber required to ensure that the digestive system functions as required.

Submitted on May 3, 2011