Food poisoning

Proven content

Food poisoning is the result of malfunctions in the functioning of the digestive system resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with bacteria and microorganisms. Food poisoning is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

Types of food poisoning

There are four main causes of food poisoning:

1. bacterial,
2. viral,
3. fungal,
4. parasitic.

Bacterial food poisoning

Bacterial cells and their toxins contained in food often lead to food poisoning. The multiplication of bacteria in the food is favored by improper hygiene, poor storage of products or the consumption of expired foods. Their symptoms are mainly abdominal pain and diarrhea, which should be treated with an appropriate diet, hydration of the body and absorption of substances (e.g. medicinal charcoal). Depending on the mechanism of formation, bacterial food poisoning is divided into intoxication, infection and toxicinfection:

1. Intoxication is the result of the action of a toxin present in food already before its consumption by humans (e.g. poisoning with botulism, staphylococcus). Botulinum poisoning may be accompanied by paresis of the facial muscles, dizziness and headaches, or double vision (poisoning attacks the nervous system).
2. An infection is a food poisoning in which bacteria colonize cells of the intestinal epithelium (e.g. Salmonella).
3. Toxicinfection is a mixed poisoning caused by bacterial colonization of the intestinal epithelium and toxins secreted into the intestinal lumen.

In addition to abdominal pain and diarrhea, bacterial food poisoning is manifested by:

1. vomiting
2. nausea
3. abdominal cramps
4. You may experience fever, chills and muscle pain.

Dandelion flower has a detoxifying effect and is perfect for cleansing the body, so it is worth using it in the form of tea also in food poisoning.

Viral food poisoning

Food poisoning caused by viruses takes the form of gastroenteritis manifested by vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment for these food poisonings is mainly based on a strict diet and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Viral food poisoning is especially common in young children.

Fungal food poisoning

Fungal food poisonings are chronic and occur, among others, in when we eat mold-infested foods. Prevention is especially important here – remember that the product on which the greenish bloom appears is entirely infested with fungi. So let’s eat fresh food that we are sure has not been attacked by mykotoksyny.

Prevention of food poisoning

General rules of prevention food poisoning includes eating good quality food and before its use-by date. Since most of the causative agents of poisoning are human pathogens, it is extremely important to maintain proper hygiene (especially – washing hands) when preparing and consuming meals. It is also important to take care of the plates and cutlery that we use every day. It is important to store food products correctly, e.g. in a refrigerator or freezer. To avoid botulism, pay attention to the expansion of the bottom of the tin can, caps or lids.

Food poisoning – treatment

Usually, food poisoning does not require hospitalization, but there are cases that require immediate medical attention. This can happen when a patient catches the hepatitis A virus such as salmonella or botulism. Pregnant women, children, infants and the elderly should receive special care during poisoning. Reasons for hospitalization may be blood in the stool, yellow-green mucus in the stool, discolored stools, or a long duration of illness. It is important to find the cause of your food poisoning as this will help you find the right treatment for you.

What to heal?

During food poisoning, it is very important to replenish electrolytes, because fasting and constant vomiting may lead to dehydration. You should drink water in small sips or use special rehydration fluids, available at the pharmacy. This medicine is in the form of sachets to be dissolved in water and can be taken by adults and children. The preparation perfectly replenishes the loss of glucose, sodium and potassium in the body, so that the consequences of dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting are not so harmful. To replenish the electrolytes in the body, you can also use effervescent tablets, which contain sodium, vitamin C and glucose. The natural way, however, is to mix water with a pinch of salt, honey and fruit juice. Here are the products that may be useful to you when fighting poisoning:

1. Electrolytes for children in sachets – compare prices
2. Electrolytes with vitamins in the form of effervescent tablets – compare prices

Activated charcoal – This is another measure that is helpful in the fight against food poisoning. It is called medicinal charcoal, after oral application it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is released with black-colored faeces. Thanks to him, toxins are not absorbed. Charcoal protects and reduces irritation of the digestive tract. This preparation is very popular and is considered a natural antidote and is administered within an hour of poisoning. It is worth having it in your home medicine cabinet.

1. Activated carbon – compare prices

Any medications and dietary supplements should be taken after consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

In the fight against food poisoning, for example, the fruit of the blueberry blueberry works well. At Medonet Market you can buy dried fruit to make a cleansing tea that has the properties of alleviating stomach problems.

Vomiting

Vomiting is one way to treat food poisoning. Vomiting should be induced several times until the doctor’s arrival. For this purpose, you can, for example, give the patient warm water with salt, or irritate the esophagus with a finger.

Do not induce vomiting:

1. in people poisoned with caustic agents, solvents or easily foaming agents;
2. unconscious people (it may result in suffocation).

Food poisoning and dehydration

As a general rule, vomiting and diarrhea should not be suppressed as they help to clear enterotoxins quickly from the gastrointestinal tract. When food poisoning persists and symptoms are persistent, vomiting or diarrhea medications are given to prevent dehydration. It may be, for example, loperamide. The physician should examine the patient and select the appropriate treatment. If food poisoning is viral, additional intake of probiotics is recommended.

When talking about dehydration, it is worth mentioning the diosmectite. It is an active ingredient that reduces the duration of diarrhea. It has a protective effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa, protecting it from irritating elements. It binds toxic substances, viruses and bacteria, which in turn causes their rapid excretion from the body. Preparations with diosmectite, used in food poisoning, are available over the counter at a pharmacy in the form of a powder for oral suspension.

Here are some examples of anti-diarrhea and anti-dehydration products:

1. Probiotic capsules – compare prices
2. Loperamide – a drug for diarrhea – compare prices
3. Diosmectite drug in sachets – compare prices

Text: SzB

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.

The best internist