Posted 25 March, 2022
What is Food Poisoning? Know its Causes, Symptoms and Home remedies
Food poisoning is a type of infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or other bacteria called Staphylococcus which causes a lot of problems. When staphylococcus bacteria spoil food, eating it causes food poisoning. Therefore, food poisoning refers to a condition that occurs due to eating spoiled food that causes problems like vomiting and diarrhoea.
Apart from this, the problem of food poisoning is also caused by E.coli bacteria. It enters the body by drinking dirty water. Food poisoning is likely to occur if the food or drink is contaminated. Although most cases of food poisoning are cured within a few days, due to weak immunity in infants, pregnant women and the elderly, it can cause weakness and other problems.
Symptoms of Food poisoning
- Abdominal pain/cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Chills and fever
- Having a headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling weaker
Causes of food poisoning
You may get food poisoning due to the following reasons-
- Bacterial growth in meat or poultry during processing.
- The food items in the grocery store, restaurant or home that have been handled with dirty hands or cleanliness have not been taken care of.
- By eating stale food.
- Food poisoning can occur if contaminated water is used while preparing food.
- If the food is not covered properly, the fly settles on it and infects the food.
- If the water tank used in the house is not cleaned for a long time, then this water becomes contaminated. Using this water for drinking or cooking can cause food poisoning.
Treatment for Food poisoning
Medicines-
The easiest way to treat food poisoning is to take medicine. If the patient has got food poisoning due to some type of bacteria and his symptoms are also not severe, then the doctor may prescribe some antibiotics for him. Food poisoning caused by the Listeria virus is treated with the help of intravenous antibiotics by hospitalization. The sooner you treat food poisoning, the better. Early treatment with antibiotics during pregnancy prevents the baby from getting infected. Adults who do not have blood in their diarrhoea, nor do they have a fever, also get relief from taking medicines. However, before using any kind of medicine, a doctor should be consulted.
ORS drink-
Apart from taking medicines, drinking ORS also proves beneficial in the treatment of food poisoning because during food poisoning there is a lack of water in the human body. ORS helps to fulfill the water loss in the body.
Take healthy food-
The main reason for food poisoning is eating spoiled food or spicy food. For this reason, a person suffering from food poisoning should avoid such food and eat simple food.
Home remedies for Food poisoning
Tulsi-
Mix a teaspoon of honey in the juice of a few basil leaves. Its use gives relief from pain within a few hours depending on the condition of the patient.
Vinegar-
Using vinegar in the treatment of food poisoning can prove to be a very good option. It is clear from some studies that vinegar provides relief in food poisoning.
Cumin-
The use of cumin in food poisoning is also very beneficial. It is a very effective home remedy to reduce abdominal swelling and pain. For this, roast a spoonful of cumin and grind it and use it in your soup.
Ginger juice-
Food poisoning is often treated by drinking ginger juice.
Yoghurt-
If a person is troubled by food poisoning, then he should use curd. It helps in curing this disease quickly by bringing coolness to his stomach.
Lemonade-
Drinking lemonade can also prove to be good for food poisoning. It cools the stomach and provides relief.
Banana-
Bananas are considered good for the stomach. Therefore, eating bananas is also considered a good remedy in the treatment of food poisoning.
When to go to the doctor?
- If food poisoning is accompanied by fever.
- When there is blood in the diarrhoea.
- In case of frequent vomiting.
- If the problem persists for more than 3 days.
- If rashes occur on the body.
- Feeling of dizziness and tiredness.
- Troubled breathing.
