Food poisoning occurs as a result of eating food contaminated with bacteria or other toxins that are poisonous by nature. Symptoms are painful and usually disappear on their own within a few days, once the source of the intoxication has been cleared from the body. However, steps can be taken to speed recovery and relieve symptoms. In severe cases it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: What Actions to Take
Step 1. Find out what caused food poisoning
Before treating the symptoms, it is essential to find out what caused the illness. Think back to the foods you have eaten in the past 36 hours. Have you tried anything new? Did something taste strange? Have you shared food with a friend or family member who have the same symptoms? Here are the foods that often cause food poisoning:
- Foods contaminated by E. Coli, from salmonella and other types of bacteria. Bacteria are generally killed during proper cooking and storage, so this type of poisoning generally results from undercooked meat or food left out of the refrigerator for a long time.
- Poisonous fish, such as puffer fish, are one of the most common causes of intoxication. Puffer fish cannot be eaten unless prepared by certified cooks.
- Poisonous Wild Mushrooms: Often resemble edible mushrooms, however, they cause food poisoning.
Step 2. Determine if you need to seek medical attention
Poisoning could be caused by bacteria, especially when it affects healthy people, and can generally be treated at home. In any case, before starting any treatment, one must decide whether to call for help based on the severity of the intoxication and the age of the victim. Call the doctor in the following situations:
- If the victim ate fish or poisonous mushrooms.
- If the victim is a baby or small child.
- If the victim is pregnant.
- If the victim is over 65.
- If the victim has severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting or vomiting blood.
Part 2 of 3: Relieving the Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Step 1. Limit your intake of solid foods
Food poisoning causes vomiting and diarrhea, which are natural bodily functions that serve to eliminate toxins from the body. Eating solid foods can increase vomiting and diarrhea, so it is best to avoid eating large amounts of food until you feel better.
- It seems superfluous to specify that we must avoid eating the foods that have caused the intoxication. If you don't know what caused it, eat only fresh foods prepared just before eating them.
- If you are tired of eating only soups and broth, remember that simple dishes will not turn your stomach upside down. Try eating bananas, plain boiled rice, or toast.
Step 2. Drink lots of water
Vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration, so it is very important to drink water to regain lost fluids. Adults should drink at least 16 glasses of water per day in this situation.
- Herbal teas, especially peppermint tea, contain stomach-calming properties. Try drinking a few cups of peppermint tea to keep yourself hydrated and calm the nausea.
- Ginger ale with lemon or a lemon soda will help you rehydrate, while carbon dioxide calms the stomach.
- Avoid coffee, alcohol, and other liquids that promote dehydration.
Step 3. Recover the electrolytes
If you have lost a lot of nutrients due to dehydration, buy electrolyte solutions at the pharmacy. Gatorade can be fine too.
Step 4. Rest as much as you can
You will likely feel tired and weak from intoxication. Get as much sleep as you can to regain strength and give your body a chance to recover faster.
Step 5. Avoid drugs
Over-the-counter medicines are used to prevent diarrhea and vomiting, but they also slow healing by preventing the body from naturally eliminating the source of the intoxication.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Food Poisoning
Step 1. Wash your hands, dishes and kitchen surfaces
Food poisoning is often caused by bacteria that have moved from food to dirty hands, plates, cutting boards, tools and kitchen surfaces. Follow these preventative measures to avoid food poisoning in the future:
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water before cooking.
- Wash dishes and kitchen utensils with hot, soapy water after using them.
- Use a disinfectant to clean the kitchen counter, tables, cutting boards, and other surfaces after preparing the meat, especially raw meat.
Step 2. Store food properly
Make sure raw foods, such as chicken and steaks, are separated from other cooked foods to avoid contamination. When shopping, all meat and dairy products should be kept in the fridge as soon as you get home.
Step 3. Cook the meat well
It must reach a certain internal temperature to kill the bacteria that cause the poisoning. Make sure you know the correct temperatures for cooking different types of meat, using a thermometer to check it.
- Chicken and other white meats must be cooked at 73.9 ° C.
- Minced meat should be cooked at 71.1 ° C.
- Beef steaks and roasts should be cooked at 62.8 ° C.
- The pork must be cooked at 71.1 ° C.
- The fish must be cooked at 62.8 ° C.
Step 4. Don't eat wild mushrooms
In recent years it has become a trend, but don't go hunting for mushrooms unless you are accompanied by an expert and, above all, don't eat them. Even experts have a hard time distinguishing edible from poisonous varieties without resorting to specific tests.
