Food poisoning symptoms, cause & effective remedies

What is Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, is a sickness caused by consuming contaminated food or drinks. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. and food poisoning Symptoms can vary, depending on the specific cause, but they often include:

Nausea and vomiting: These are often the first symptoms to appear.
Diarrhea: This can range from mild to severe and may contain blood or mucus in some cases.
Stomach cramps: These can be mild or severe and may come and go.
Fever: This is a sign that your body is fighting an infection.
Headache: This is a common symptom of many illnesses, including food poisoning.
Fatigue: You may feel tired and weak, especially if you are experiencing dehydration.
Loss of appetite: You may not feel like eating or drinking, especially if you are nauseous or vomiting.

Symptoms of food poisoning typically manifest within a few hours or days of ingesting the contaminated food or beverage and can last anywhere from a few days to a week.

While most cases of food poisoning are mild and resolve on their own, severe cases can lead to complications, such as dehydration, malnutrition, and even death.

Less common symptoms include:

Muscle aches and pains
Joint pain
Chills
Skin rash
Blurred vision
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Bloody diarrhea
Severe vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
High fever (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit)
Signs of dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, and dizziness
Seizures
Confusion
Loss of consciousness

Causes of Food Poisoning:

Food poisoning can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Bacteria: This is the most common cause of food poisoning. Some common bacteria that can cause food poisoning include Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens.
Viruses: These are also a common cause of food poisoning. Some common viruses that can cause food poisoning include norovirus and rotavirus.
Parasites: These are less common than bacteria and viruses, but they can still cause food poisoning. Some common parasites that can cause food poisoning include Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium.
Toxins: These can be naturally occurring in some foods, such as shellfish, or they can be introduced during the food preparation process.

Habits That Can Lead to Food Poisoning:

Several habits can significantly increase your risk of contracting food poisoning. Here are some of the most important ones to avoid:

Hygiene-related:

Not washing hands thoroughly with soap and water: This is especially crucial before handling food, after using the bathroom, and after touching raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
Not washing fruits and vegetables properly: This can leave harmful bacteria on their surface.
Using the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables: This can lead to cross-contamination.
Not cleaning and sanitizing food preparation surfaces regularly: This can harbor bacteria that can contaminate your food.
Not thawing frozen food properly: Improper thawing can create pockets of warm temperatures within the food that are ideal for bacteria growth.
Reusing marinades: Marinades used for raw meat should not be reused for cooked meat, as they can harbor bacteria.

Food handling:

Undercooking meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs: These foods should be cooked to the proper internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.
Leaving cooked food out at room temperature for too long: This allows bacteria to multiply rapidly.
Storing leftovers improperly: Leftovers should be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of cooking.
Not reheating leftovers to a safe temperature: Leftovers should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating.
Consuming raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products: These products can contain harmful bacteria.

Other habits:

Eating food from unreliable sources: Be cautious when consuming food from street vendors or restaurants with poor hygiene standards.
Drinking contaminated water: Only drink water from safe sources, such as bottled or filtered water.
Sharing food with someone who is sick: This can easily spread the illness.
Not paying attention to expiration dates: Consume food before its expiration date to ensure freshness and safety.
Not storing food at the proper temperature: Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent bacterial growth.

Additional factors:

Certain medications: Some medications can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to foodborne illnesses.
Underlying health conditions: People with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women, young children, and older adults, are at a higher risk of developing complications from food poisoning.

By being mindful of these habits and taking precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting food poisoning and enjoying healthy and safe meals.

Here are some tips to prevent food poisoning:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food.
Cook food to the proper temperature, The safe internal temperature for most meats is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Refrigerate or freeze food promptly.
Avoid cross-contamination, This means preventing raw meat, poultry, and seafood from coming into contact with cooked foods.
Clean and sanitize all surfaces that come into contact with food.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Drink only pasteurized milk and juices.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked Meat, Fish Chicken or eggs.
Be cautious when eating food from street vendors or restaurants in countries with poor hygiene standards.

If you think you have food poisoning, it is important to see a doctor. They can determine the cause of your illness and recommend the best treatment.

Here are some home remedies that may help relieve symptoms of food poisoning:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, broth, and electrolyte drinks. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated to lower the food poisoning impact.
Eat bland foods. These are foods that are easy to digest, such as crackers, toast, bananas, and rice.
Get plenty of rest. This will help your body fight off the infection.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These can worsen your symptoms.
Take over-the-counter medications with the help of expert medical drug practitioner, such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate, to relieve Pain, Fever and diarrhea like symptoms.

Always, prefer at first to contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after a few days.

Additional Tips:

Keep a food diary. This can help you identify the food that caused your illness.
Report your illness to your local health department. This will help them track outbreaks and prevent other people from getting sick.
Take steps to prevent future outbreaks. This may include improving your food safety practices at home or reporting food safety concerns to restaurants or food establishments.

If you experience any of the following symptoms then seek immediate medical attention:

Bloody diarrhea
Severe vomiting
High fever (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit)
Dehydration
Signs of shock, such as dizziness, fainting, or a weak pulse

Food poisoning is a common condition that can cause unpleasant symptoms. However, most cases are mild and resolve on their own. By taking steps such as immediate consulting with local doctor, Also, here are some additional resources on food poisoning help seeking for US Residents: