Consuming food that has been contaminated with viruses (such as norovirus) or bacteria (such as those of the salmonella genus or Escherichia coli) can cause food poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps; they generally begin a day or two after ingesting the contaminated food. Sometimes, however, they can also occur within a few hours or with a delay of several weeks. In most cases, food poisoning is not serious and lasts for about 48 hours. In the meantime, there are some simple remedies and treatments that can help you relieve abdominal pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change Your Diet
Step 1. Drink at least 2 liters of water or electrolyte-rich fluids every day
Keep your body hydrated to cope with food poisoning, relieve nausea and prevent dehydration, which is a very dangerous condition. By looking at the appearance of your urine, you can tell if you are getting enough fluids: they must be clear or pale yellow. Also, be sure to expel them on a normal frequency. If your urine is dark in color, absent or less frequent than usual, you are dehydrated.
- In case of food poisoning, it is good to take 200 ml of fluids after each episode of diarrhea, in addition to 2 liters per day. If you are dehydrated, you will need even more fluid.
- If you have trouble swallowing large amounts of fluids, try drinking water in small sips or sucking on an ice cube.
- Sports drinks are high in electrolytes and can help keep you hydrated. Aim to drink about 60-120ml every 30-60 minutes. Avoid drinks with a high sugar content as they can aggravate diarrhea.
- Fruit juices and coconut water can restore lost carbohydrates and lessen the feeling of fatigue.
- You can make a highly hydrating drink by dissolving 6 teaspoons (24 g) of sugar and half a teaspoon (3 g) of salt in one liter of water.
Step 2. Give your stomach a break before starting to eat again to prevent nausea
Do not eat anything for a few hours so that the stomach has time to recover from the intoxication. Avoid solid foods until the vomiting or diarrhea episodes stop.
Step 3. As you begin to feel better, try eating light foods, such as some rice or a banana
Choose a food rich in nutrients, but low in fiber, to compact the stool. Stop eating if you start feeling nauseous. Recommended foods include:
- Salty crackers;
- Bananas;
- Rice;
- Porridge;
- Chicken broth;
- Boiled vegetables;
- Toasted bread.
Step 4. Avoid stomach-harsh foods and drinks
The list of foods and drinks that can strain the stomach includes: coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, and fatty or spicy foods. They can all aggravate the symptoms of food poisoning. In general, avoid all hard-to-digest foods, such as:
- Those rich in fiber, for example bran and legumes;
- Dairy products, especially milk and cheese;
- Sweets and all foods rich in sugar, such as cakes and biscuits.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve the Body
Step 1. Relieve stomach cramps with ginger
It is an anti-inflammatory and studies have shown that it can help treat stomach pain. Look for it in a pharmacy, supermarket, or health food store. you can take it as a supplement or dried. Follow the directions on the product for correct dosage. Alternatively, you can buy fresh ginger root and use it to make herbal tea:
- Wash, rub and peel the root, then cut it into thin slices;
- Pour half a liter of water into a small pot, add 4-6 slices of ginger and boil them for 10-20 minutes, depending on the desired degree of intensity;
- Remove the pot from the heat and sweeten the herbal tea with honey if desired. Drink it hot.
Step 2. Drink a cup of chamomile tea to relieve stomach cramps
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can relax the stomach muscles. You can buy it in bulk at a herbalist's shop or in convenient sachets at the supermarket. Drink at least one cup of chamomile tea a day. You can also drink 3-5 cups a day without contraindications.
- If you use blood thinning medications, opt for a different remedy. Chamomile has the property of naturally thinning the blood, so it could amplify the effects of medicines.
- Be careful if you are allergic to other plants that belong to the same family as daisies, as you may also be allergic to chamomile.
Step 3. Take peppermint capsules to relieve abdominal pain
Peppermint oil can help relax the colon, reducing pain and spasms. Look for it in a health food store or in the supermarket aisle dedicated to dietary supplements. Take 1-2 capsules a day when stomach cramps occur.
Step 4. Apply a warm compress to your stomach for 20 minutes if you want to relieve cramps
You can use it several times a day. Use an electric heating pillow or hot water bottle. The heat will relax the stomach muscles and relieve cramps.
- If you don't have a bag or thermal pillow and the cramps don't allow you to go out, you can use a DIY method.
- Wet two towels and then squeeze them to prevent them from dripping.
- Place a towel in a zip lock bag and heat it in the microwave on maximum power for 2 minutes, without closing the bag.
- Remove the hot bag from the microwave, seal it and wrap the second wet towel around it, then apply the hot compress to your stomach.
Step 5. Rest for a long time so that the body has time to recover and heal
It is important to avoid struggling to recover from food poisoning. Postpone strenuous activities and try to sleep as much as possible to distract yourself from the pain and help your body recover.
Do not go to school or work until at least 48 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea
Method 3 of 3: Healing with Medicines
Step 1. Take an oral rehydration solution (mineral salts) if you risk dehydration
Buy it at the pharmacy and follow the pharmacist's dosage instructions or printed on the product. Take the solution to restore the salts, glucose and other minerals your body has lost.
- The elderly and people with heart disease are particularly vulnerable to dehydration.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking an oral rehydration solution if you have kidney disease.
- If your child has been poisoned by food, ask your pediatrician if you need to give them an oral rehydration solution. You can buy it at the pharmacy. If your child is reluctant to drink it, you can administer it with a syringe.
Step 2. Try relieving cramps with an over-the-counter pain reliever
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can relieve pain and possibly lower fever. Follow the instructions on the product for proper dosage.
Do not take ibuprofen if you are pregnant
Step 3. Avoid drugs that stop diarrhea so your body has a chance to cleanse itself naturally
Vomiting and diarrhea are the tools by which the body naturally expels the bacteria that afflict the digestive system. In addition to interfering with the body's means of recovering from intoxication, antidiarrheal medications can mask the severity of symptoms and delay medical intervention and care.
Do not take an antidiarrheal medication if you have a disease caused by a toxin, for example from Escherichia coli or Clostridium difficile
Step 4. See a doctor if your symptoms are acute or if you have a medical condition that makes you particularly vulnerable
Call your doctor immediately if symptoms persist for a few days, if you are unable to retain fluids due to frequent vomiting, or if you have symptoms of severe dehydration, such as mental confusion, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes or absence. of urine. See your doctor even if you have food poisoning and are pregnant, have a chronic medical condition, are over 60, or have a weakened immune system.
- The doctor will analyze a stool sample to determine what is causing food poisoning. If it's bacterial in origin, he may prescribe antibiotics. There are no drugs to treat food poisoning of viral origin.
- Your doctor may prescribe an anti-emetic medication if you have frequent vomiting.
- If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to be hospitalized for a couple of days. At the hospital you will be constantly monitored and you will be given fluids intravenously.
- If your symptoms are very acute, go to the nearest emergency room right away or call 112. When you don't know if you should go to the hospital, call 112 for proper instructions.
Warnings
- See a doctor if you are dehydrated, if symptoms of intoxication are acute, or if your condition does not improve within a couple of days.
- Contact your doctor for food poisoning if you are pregnant, over 60, or if your immune system is weakened by a chronic condition.
- Contact your doctor if you suspect that a baby or young child has been poisoned by a food.
- In case of food poisoning, do not brush your teeth for at least an hour after vomiting. Stomach acids can damage tooth enamel, and brushing can worsen erosion. Simply rinse your mouth with a mixture of water and baking soda.
