A food poisoning is an ingestion of harmful bacteria or toxins caused by the intake of improperly handled or treated food. There are many different toxins and bacteria that can cause food poisoning, and the resulting symptoms can range from moderate to severe. Most people are able to recover from food poisoning in a few days, as it will be enough for the toxins to pass through the body naturally. However, infants, pregnant women and the elderly will need to be especially cautious and try to avoid toxic foods so as not to potentially irreparably damage their health. If you've been into food poisoning, knowing how to recover quickly will help minimize discomfort and get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Steps
Step 1. Drink a large amount of liquids and fluids
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Frequent vomiting and dysentery will cause rapid depletion of body fluids, resulting in dehydration. Drink as much fluids as possible to replace lost fluids and better combat intoxication. Water and juices are the best ingredients.
If you are unable to keep fluids in your stomach due to severe nausea, contact a doctor immediately. You may need to be transferred to the hospital for an intravenous fluid supply
Step 2. Rest and avoid strenuous activities
As your body struggles to flush toxins out of your system you will most likely feel fatigued. It is advisable to rest as much as possible so that your body can use its energy to heal. Also, engaging in strenuous activities while you are debilitated could lead to unpleasant injuries.
Step 3. Avoid Dysentery Medicines
Although it can be an unpleasant symptom, it is important that the body uses this defense mechanism to expel toxins quickly. For this reason it is not recommended to take drugs against dysentery.
Step 4. Avoid solid or spicy foods for a few days
Foods like rice, bread, fruit, and crackers help restore lost nutrients. However, avoid complex foods such as meat, fats and spices as they are difficult to digest.
Step 5. Take a break from dairy products
As your body fights food poisoning, your digestive system will experience a temporary state of lactose intolerance. For this reason, any dairy products consumed, for example butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc., will increase the number of complications. Avoid dairy until you are certain that your body has returned to a state of normalcy.
Step 6. Avoid alcohol and caffeine intake
Both of them alter your body chemistry giving you unpleasant symptoms. Also, and more importantly, caffeine and alcohol are both diuretic ingredients, and will cause more frequent urination. The more times you visit the bathroom, the more dehydrated your body will become, which can cause serious problems when combined with frequent vomiting and diarrhea.
Warnings
- If food poisoning persists for more than a few days, call a doctor. Similarly, see a doctor if you have a high fever, vision problems or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- If food poisoning was caused by ingesting mushrooms or seafood, contact a doctor immediately. Some toxins contained in certain varieties of mushrooms or seafood can be deadly and require immediate attention.
