Food Contaminant |Food Poisoning : Symptoms, Causes, Types, Treatment & Home Remedies

Food poisoning is a common problem, but in some cases it can be very serious, leading to death. Food gets contaminated very fast in summer and rainy season and bacteria and micro-organisms flourish in them and contaminate the food. By eating such food, a person becomes a victim of food poisoning. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention methods of food poisoning.

What is Food Poisoning?, Managing Food Poisoning

Illness caused by food is called food poisoning. Food poisoning is usually caused by eating contaminated food. Bacteria, parasites and various types of viruses cause infection in the body through contaminated food, due to which food poisoning is common. Organisms that spread infection in food infect food only when the food is not cooked properly or the vessel in which it is being cooked is not clean. Apart from this, micro-organisms infect the food even if the hands are not clean and the food is kept open, due to which the food gets contaminated and a person gets food poisoning when he eats it.

What are the Causes of Food Poisoning?, Identifying Causes, Effective Remedies

Food poisoning can happen due to various reasons and methods, which are explained in detail below. When germs enter the body through food, it is called contamination. This can happen due to various reasons, such as –

• Bacteria can grow in meat or poultry during processing.
• Using water that contains animal or human excreta for irrigation during farming.
• Dirty hands have been applied to food and drink in grocery stores, restaurants or at home or cleanliness has not been taken care of.

Food poisoning can happen for all of the following reasons, such as:

• Cooking food without washing hands.
• Using unwashed utensils or other kitchen items.
• Leaving dairy products or foods containing mayonnaise out of the fridge for long periods of time.
• From food not kept at the required temperature.
• From raw fish or oysters.
• Raw fruits or vegetables that have not been washed thoroughly.
• Consuming unpasteurized dairy products, raw vegetables or fruit juices.

• Eating undercooked meat or eggs.
• By drinking impure water from well, pond or anywhere else.

Many types of bacteria can also cause it, such as:

• Campylobacter enteritis
• Cholera
• E.coli
• Toxins in spoiled or rotten fish or shellfish
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Salmonella
• Shigella

Read Also : Atopic Dermatitis.

What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?

Generally, the symptoms of food poisoning depend on what caused the infection. But the symptoms of this problem start appearing suddenly and a few hours after consuming contaminated food. When food poisoning occurs, a person first feels vomiting. The following are the main symptoms of food poisoning.

• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Vomit
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Weakness
• Headache
• Nausea

Due to the symptoms of food poisoning, a person may remain troubled for several days. For example, diarrhea caused by food poisoning may last more than three days, fever may exceed 101.5°F, and difficulty seeing and hearing may occur. The main symptoms of food poisoning are severe dehydration in the body, which can also cause dry mouth and loss of urine.

What are the Types of Food Poisoning?

1. Food Poisoning due to Bacteria.

Most food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria. Various bacteria namely E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella are responsible for causing food poisoning. Of these, the most serious food poisoning problem is caused by Salmonella bacteria. Beef contains 46 percent E. coli bacteria, 18 percent Salmonella bacteria in seeds and vegetables, and 66 percent Campylobacter in dairy products that cause food poisoning.

2. Food Poisoning due to Parasite.

Food poisoning is less likely to be caused by parasites than by bacteria. But parasites that reach the stomach through food are very dangerous. Toxoplasma is a parasite that causes most food poisoning. Parasites are present in the digestive tract of our body, which we do not get to know for many years. These make our immune system weak and hence food poisoning occurs by eating food containing parasites.

3. Food Poisoning due to Virus.

The problem of food poisoning is also caused by viruses. Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is the cause of most cases of food poisoning each year. In some rare cases, these viruses are very fatal. Sapovirus, Rotavirus, Astrovirus also produce similar symptoms which usually reach the body through food.

What are the Prevention Tips for Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning can be avoided by keeping the following points in mind:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating anything.
• Wash hands with soap after touching or cleaning raw meat.
• Thoroughly clean utensils used for raw meat, fish and eggs.
• Cook non-veg completely. Avoid eating it raw or undercooked in any way.
• Do not store cooked meat in unwashed utensils containing raw meat.
• Keep your refrigerator at about 40 °F (4.4 °C) and your freezer at or below 0 °F (-18 °C).
• Do not eat meat, chicken or fish that has been kept in the refrigerator uncooked for more than 1-2 days.
• Do not use foods that smell unusual or taste bad.
• Do not drink contaminated water from wells, ponds or other places.

Consuming food poisoning can lead to a condition which, if not treated in time, can prove to be fatal. In this situation, you can use home remedies for food poisoning. We hope that through this article you must have understood how food poisoning happens and what to do in food poisoning. If there is no relief even after this, contact the doctor immediately. Hope one or the other of these food poisoning remedies will work for you.

How to Diagnose Food Poisoning?

The symptoms of this problem are sufficient for the diagnosis of food poisoning. But if a person is having loose stools for a few days or there is blood in it, then the doctor examines the stool to diagnose the problem and find out whether the food poisoning is due to parasites or bacteria. In some cases, a specific test is done to detect rotavirus.

Apart from this, blood test is also done for the diagnosis of food poisoning and if the problem of dehydration has arisen due to food poisoning, then the doctor also advises the patient to get urine test done.

What is the Treatment for Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning usually does not require any medical treatment and can resolve on its own within a few days. During this time it is advised to consume more and more liquids. Basically, to treat food poisoning, dehydration is removed from the body. For this, more fluid intake is said, but in some cases it can be done by drip.

Apart from this, if the condition of the patient is serious and the symptoms of food poisoning are increasing, then he can be admitted to the hospital. It is especially important to keep children under supervision. The drug can be given under the following circumstances:

• In case of vomiting and diarrhoea.

• On arrival of fever.

• In some rare circumstances antibiotics may be given.

• Antidote can be given in case of mushroom poisoning or eating food poisoned with pesticides.

• If there is a problem of food poisoning, it is necessary to hydrate the body continuously so that there is no shortage of water in the body and by doing this the problem gets cured in a few days.

• Sports drinks contain high amounts of electrolytes, which are very effective in treating food poisoning. Apart from this, fruit juices and coconut water can also be consumed. It contains sufficient carbohydrate which removes the fatigue caused due to food poisoning.

• In case of food poisoning, drinking tea of some herbs chamomile, peppermint and dandelion gives relief to the stomach. This is a better remedy to cure an upset stomach.

• Taking adequate rest also provides relief in case of food poisoning.

• If you want to take medicines to cure food poisoning, Imodium and Pepto-Bismol can help control diarrhea and nausea. A doctor’s advice must be taken before consuming these medicines.

Know further when to consult a doctor in this problem.

When should the Doctor’s advice be taken?

Consult a doctor under the following circumstances:
• If there is pus or blood in the stool.
• Not being able to take fluids due to diarrhea and vomiting and nausea.
• If adults have a fever of more than 101 degrees and children have more than 100.4 degrees.
• Signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness and vertigo).
• Recently having diarrhea after coming from outside.
• Diarrhea that does not improve and becomes severe after 5 days in adults and 2 days in infants.
• If the child has vomited for more than 12 hours.
• Food poisoning from eating mushrooms (potentially fatal), fish or other seafood, or botulism.

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning.

Even though food poisoning is painful, but by taking home remedies, this problem can be reduced to some extent. Adopting home remedies for food poisoning can reduce its symptoms, but it is not a medical cure. Therefore, in severe condition only a doctor should be treated. Know in detail below about the home remedies for food poisoning.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Material :
• One to two teaspoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• A glass of lukewarm water

What to do?
• Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of lukewarm water.
Mix it well and drink it.
• It can be consumed twice a day.

How Does this Work?

As we have told that many types of bacteria are the cause of food poisoning. In such a situation, it is necessary that to get relief from this, some such remedy should be used, which can eliminate these germs. Here the use of apple cider vinegar can be beneficial. Its antimicrobial properties are believed to kill E.coli, the bacteria that causes food poisoning, and help reduce the symptoms of food poisoning.

2. Lemon juice

Material :
• Half a lemon
• a glass of water
• Honey (optional)

• Squeeze half a lemon in a glass of water and drink this water. You can add honey to it for taste.
• It can be consumed once each in the morning and evening.

How Does this Work?

In some cases, bacteria can grow in meat or poultry during processing, due to which it can cause food poisoning. In this case, food poisoning can be treated using lemon. A research has confirmed that lemon can be helpful in killing cholera which causes food poisoning.
Also, keeping the meat marinated in lemon juice for a while while cooking can help. By doing this, E.coli bacteria do not get a chance to grow on the meat.

3. Ginger and Honey

Material :
• One to two inch piece of ginger
• a cup of water
• A little honey

What to do?
• Pour water in a pan, put a piece of ginger in it and boil it.
• Leave the ginger in the water for five minutes, then filter the water.
• Now cool it slightly and then mix honey and drink it immediately.
• A piece of ginger soaked in honey can also be chewed directly.
• This can be done twice a day.

How Does this Work?

We all have been hearing about the benefits of ginger for stomach related problems. Similarly, ginger can also be used to treat food poisoning. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea and abdominal pain.
Chewing ginger soaked in honey can provide relief from nausea. At the same time, ginger tea can provide relief from stomach pain. In this way, home remedies for food poisoning can be done through ginger.

What Foods to Eat in Food Poisoning?

It is advised to take a bland diet during food poisoning. The following food items can be consumed in this diet.

• Curd or Buttermilk Low fat or fat free dairy products and milk
• Well Cooked Vegetables
• Potato
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Bread, cereal and bread made from refined flour etc.
• Meat, fish or chicken with less carbohydrates and fat (take care to cook it thoroughly)
• Creamy Peanut Butter
• Eggs
• Tofu
• Tea
more information ahead,
Know further what things should be avoided while treating food poisoning.

What Foods to Avoid in Food Poisoning?

To make home remedies for food poisoning, it is advised to avoid certain food items while following a bland diet. About these are mentioned below.

• High fat milk, dairy products or ice cream
• Raw vegetables and salads
• Foods that can cause gas, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green peppers and corn kernels
• Dry Fruits
• Whole grain and bread made from it, cereal, and roti etc.
• Pickle
• Foods with more spices and peppers
• Foods high in sugar
• Fried Foods
• Alcoholic beverages
• Foods with a lot of caffeine

(Disclaimer :  The purpose of this health-related article is to wake you up and aware of your health and to provide health-related information. Your doctor has a better understanding of your health and there is no substitute for their advice.)