Sometimes meals don’t go exactly as planned. Instead of feeling full and contented, you feel queasy and ill. In all likelihood, your upset stomach is the result of contaminated food. While it is easy to pass up food with foul odors or obvious signs of spoilage, it is not as east to detect food that has been improperly refrigerated or prepared. Food poisoning, while unpleasant, is often short-lived and can be managed without medical treatment.
Description
Food poisoning occurs when you ingest contaminated food. Although the contamination may be due to bacteria, parasites, viruses or toxins, the most common sources of contamination are Staphylococcus or Escherichia coli bacteria. Food becomes contaminated from improper cooking, such as meats and eggs not cooked thoroughly, preparation with unclean utensils or hands or from being left unrefrigerated, especially dairy products. Symptoms vary according to the contaminant. Common symptoms are abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and headache. Symptoms usually occur quickly, within two to six hours of eating, and may last up to two days.
Treatment
Antibiotics are unnecessary for most types of food poisoning. Although treatment depends on the contaminant--if it has been identified--and the severity of symptoms, it is primarily focused on relieving symptoms and avoiding dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids, between eight and 16 glasses daily for adults. Drink slowly, with small sips rather than gulps. Be kind to your stomach and choose ginger ale or other clear sodas, water, ice chips or clear broth. Sports drinks replace electrolytes lost through diarrhea, but select noncaffeinated varieties. When you feel ready to eat, start with bland foods that are gentle on your digestive system, such as dry toast, plain rice, soda crackers, gelatin or bananas. Get plenty of rest to help reduce feelings of fatigue and weakness.
Things to Avoid
Avoid anti-diarrheal medications because they will prevent your body from expelling the contaminant and will prolong your symptoms. Allow time for your body to recover. Wait for your stomach to feel settled and wait until the vomiting and diarrhea have passed before eating solid foods. Stop eating if you feel the nausea return. Avoid dairy products, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine or fatty or spicy foods until all of your symptoms have passed.
Cautions
Consult a medical professional if you have severe vomiting that prevents you from drinking. Seek immediate medical attention if your heart is pounding, you suspect botulism, you ate toxic mushrooms or shellfish or if your symptoms include black or bloody diarrhea, persistent stomach pains, fever higher than 101 degrees or dizziness, thirst or other signs of dehydration. Contact your physician if your symptoms worsen or do not improve within five days, you have recently returned from a foreign country and developed diarrhea or you are pregnant. Do not stop any of your regular medications without consulting your doctor, although you may need to stop diuretics to avoid dehydration.
