Food poisoning, is the result of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food. The most common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Mild fever
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Headaches
Symptoms of potentially life-threatening food poisoning include:
- Diarrhea persisting for more than three days
- A fever higher than 101.5°F
- Difficulty seeing or speaking
- Symptoms of severe dehydration, which may include dry mouth, passing little to no urine, and difficulty keeping fluids down
- Bloody urine
Most food poisoning can be traced to one of the following three major causes:
Bacteria : Bacteria is by far the most prevalent cause of food poisoning. When thinking of dangerous bacteria, names like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella
Parasites : Food poisoning caused by parasites is not as common as food poisoning caused by bacteria, but parasites spread through food are still very dangerous. Toxoplasmais the parasite seen most often in cases of food poisoning.
Viruses : Food poisoning can also be caused by a virus. The norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus, causes over 19 million cases Trusted Source of food poisoning each year. In rare cases, it can be fatal. Sapovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus bring on similar symptoms, but they’re less common. Hepatitis A virus is a serious condition that can be transmitted through food.
Food contamination : Pathogens can be found on almost all of the food that humans eat. However, heat from cooking usually kills pathogens on food before it reaches our plate. Foods eaten raw are common sources of food poisoning because they don’t go through the cooking process.
Occasionally, food will come in contact with the organisms in fecal matter. This most commonly happens when a person preparing food does not wash their hands before cooking.
Meat, eggs, and dairy products are frequently contaminated. Water may also be contaminated with organisms that cause illness.
RISK FACTORS
- Older adults-As we get older, our immune system may not respond as quickly and as effectively to infectious organisms as when one were younger.
- Pregnant women-During pregnancy, changes in metabolism and circulation may increase the risk of food poisoning.Our reaction may be more severe during pregnancy.
- Infants and young children-Their immune systems have not fully developed.
- People with chronic disease- Having a chronic condition such as diabetes, liver disease or AIDS or receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer reduces your immune response.
COMPLICATIONS OF FOOD POISONING
The most common serious complication of food poisoning is dehydration a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If one are healthy adult and drink enough to replace fluids lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration should not be a problem.
Infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems or chronic illnesses may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. In that case, they may need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous fluids. In extreme cases, dehydration can be fatal.
PREVENTION FROM FOOD POISOINING
To prevent food poisoning at home:
- Wash hands, utensils and food surfaces often
- Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.
- Cook foods to a safe temperature.
- Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly
- Defrost food safely.
- Throw it out when in doubt.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR FOOD POISONING
ARSENIC ALBUM : Most recommended homeopathic medicine for food poisoning,with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting .Given when vomiting may contain clear water or thick glairy mucus.Helpful if the person eats anything is vomited out quickly. There is loose stool with foul smelling, and is attended with weakness.Useful for burning pain in the abdomen.There is frequent thirst for water at short intervals is usually present
VERATRUM ALBUM : Beneficial homeopathic medicine for food poisoning where there is copious vomiting,even the smallest amount of water gets vomited, and excessive weakness follows the vomiting. Along with this, nausea and copious loose stool may be present.
ALOES : Useful for food poisoning with marked diarrhea. Given when the stool is watery, and there is an urgent need to pass it. There is rumbling and gurgling in the rectum with constant bearing down sensation is felt in the rectum.
COLOCYNTH : Very useful medicine for food poisoning when marked abdominal cramps are present. Indicated when there cutting, colicky pains in the abdomen which is better by bending double or pressing the stomach and tends to worsen from slight eating or drinking.
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