What Is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is a sickness caused by eating food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, toxins, or chemicals. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and chills.
In severe cases, food poisoning can lead to death. There are many types of food poisoning, and each type has its symptoms, incubation period, and treatment.
10 Home Remedies For Food Poisoning
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking lots of fluids is the first line of defense against food poisoning. Staying hydrated will help your body flush out the toxins and will also help with any nausea or vomiting you may be experiencing. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, or more if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
Eat bland, Easy To Digest Foods
When you are first starting to feel better, it is important to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods.
Think plain rice, toast, crackers, and chicken soup. Avoid dairy, spicy, or greasy foods as they can make your symptoms worse.
Take Ginger
Ginger includes gingerol, which has antibacterial qualities and aids digestion by improving the absorption of important nutrients.
Garlic
Garlic’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects are well-known. One fresh garlic clove should be swallowed whole with water.
Cumin Seeds
Take 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, boiled in water to cleanse and relieve your system. Combine it with one teaspoon of coriander juice and a pinch of salt.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is used for overall body healing since it is high in antioxidants. It’s also known to help with digestion.
Basil Juice
Several times a day, drink basil juice made from a few basil leaves mixed with one spoonful of honey. You can also squeeze in some fresh coriander juice.
Banana
You can either eat a banana every day or mix it with curd to alleviate food sickness. Bananas are high in potassium and fiber.
Stay Away From Alcohol
Alcohol can dehydrate your body and make your symptoms worse, so it is best to avoid it while you are recovering.
Try Over-the-counter Medications
If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, there are over-the-counter medications that can help. Try anti-nausea medication like meclizine or dimenhydrinate and loperamide for diarrhea.
Others include:
Avoid Foods That Contain Toxins
Some foods contain toxins that can make food poisoning symptoms worse. Avoid these foods until you are feeling better:
Drink Herbal Tea
Herbal teas can help soothe your stomach and promote digestion. Some good options include ginger tea, chamomile tea, or peppermint tea.
Take A Probiotic
Probiotics are live bacteria that can help restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. This can help shorten the duration of food poisoning and reduce symptoms.
Try Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing technique that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. Several pressure points can help with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
See A Doctor
If your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few days, it is important to see a doctor. You may need antibiotics to clear the infection, or you may need to be hospitalized for fluids and other treatment.
Causes Of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a term used to describe the various illnesses that can result from eating contaminated food.
These illnesses are typically caused by:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Toxins
- Parasites can contaminate food during its production, processing, or preparation
Symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can even be life-threatening.
Types Of Food Poisoning
There are many types of food poisoning, but some of the more common include:
Salmonella
This is one of the most common forms of food poisoning and is typically caused by eating contaminated poultry or eggs. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
E. coli
E. coli is a bacterium causing food poisoning that can be found in contaminated beef or water and raw vegetables, and poorly processed foods. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stool.
Listeria
Listeria is a bacterium that can contaminate various foods, including poultry, meats, and dairy products. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter is a bacterium that is typically found in poultry. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus is a bacterium that can be found on the skin or in contaminated food. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Poor hygiene practices during food preparation can also lead to contamination.
If you think you may have food poisoning, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, food poisoning can lead to serious complications, such as dehydration, kidney failure, and even death.
Prevention Of Food Poisoning
While there are many types of food poisoning, there are also several ways to prevent it. Some simple tips include:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
- Cook meat, poultry, and fish to the proper temperature.
- Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, and fish away from other food.
- Refrigerate food promptly.
- Do not eat food that has been sitting out for more than two hours.
Conclusion
Most cases of food poisoning can be treated at home with rest and fluids. However, some types of food poisoning can be very severe and require hospitalization. If you experience any severe symptoms after eating, seek medical attention immediately.
