Food Poisoning – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments!

Food Poisoning – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. In addition, Food Poisoning is the result of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food . The most common symptoms of Food Poisoning  include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea .

Food poisoning is more common and more risky for people with weakened immune systems , infants and young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Causes of Food Poisoning: It can happen at any point of production: growing, harvesting, processing, storing, transporting or preparing. Cross-contamination, the transfer of harmful organisms from one surface to another, is often the cause. This is especially problematic forraw, ready-to-eat foods like salads or other products . As these foods are not cooked, harmful organisms are not destroyed before eating and can cause Food Poisoning .

Many bacterial, viral or parasitic agents cause Food Poisoning .

Symptoms of Food Poisoning: The main symptoms usually start within one to two days after eating contaminated food , although they can start anywhere between a few hours and a few weeks later.

The main symptoms include:

• feeling sick (nausea);
• vomiting;
• diarrhea , which may contain blood or mucus;
• Stomach cramps and abdominal (tummy) pain
• Lack of energy and weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• A high temperature (fever);
• sore muscles;
• Goosebumps.

In most cases, these symptoms will pass in a few days and you will make a full recovery.

Diagnoses of Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is often diagnosed based on detailed histories, including how long you were sick, your symptoms, and the specific foods you consumed. Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, looking for signs of dehydration.

Depending on your symptoms and health history, your doctor may perform diagnostic tests, such as a blood test , stool culture, or test for parasites, to identify the cause and confirm the diagnosis.

For a stool culture, your doctor will send a sample of your stool to a lab, where a technician will try to identify the infectious organism. If an organism is found, your doctor will likely notify your local health department to determine if food poisoning is related to an outbreak.

In some cases, the cause of Food Poisoning  cannot be identified.

Treatments for Food Poisoning: It can usually be treated at home, and most cases will resolve within three to five days. If you have Food Poisoning , it is crucial to stay properly hydrated. Sports drinks with electroyl can be helpful with this. Fruit juice and coconut water can restore carbs and help with fatigue.

Avoid caffeine , which can irritate the digestive tract . Crushed teas with soothing herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and dandelion can soothe an upset stomach. Over-the-counter medications like Imodium and Pepto-Bismol can help control diarrhea and suppress nausea. However, you should check with your doctor before using these medications, as the body uses vomiting and diarrhea to flush the toxin out of the system.

In addition, the use of these medications can mask the severity of Food Poisoning and cause you to delay seeking specialized treatment. It is also important for people with Food Poisoning to get plenty of rest.

In severe cases of Food Poisoning , individuals may require hydration with intravenous (IV) fluids in a hospital. In the worst cases of Food Poisoning , a longer hospitalization may be necessary while the individual recovers.