Infectious organisms on food and their toxins can occur at the point of production of the food, as well as after misuse at home or when proper cooking guidelines are not followed.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Symptoms of food poisoning begin to take effect hours after consuming contaminated food. The main symptoms of foodborne poisoning are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms besides these are:
- stomach cramp
- Loss of appetite
- slight fever
- Weakness
- Headache
Symptoms and time of occurrence can often vary depending on the source of infection. When you ask how many days food poisoning lasts, it can be said that it can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the source of the infection. While some poisonings can be corrected with the help of the defense mechanism in our body without the need for hospital treatment, in some cases they are treated in the hospital and long treatment periods may be required.
Causes of Food Poisoning
The main cause of food poisoning is the consumption of contaminated food. Contamination of food can begin at any stage of production. These can occur during the growing, harvesting, processing, storage, transportation or preparation of the product. Apart from this, it is possible for cross-contamination, that is, the transfer of harmful organisms from one surface to another. Especially on uncooked, ready-to-eat foods such as salad and sushi, the possibility of food poisoning organisms is higher. Since the harmful microorganisms on the foods are destroyed during the cooking stage, the rate of encountering food poisoning is higher in foods that are consumed raw.
Many bacterial, viral or parasites cause food poisoning. To briefly mention them,
Campylobacter; Symptoms appear within 2 to 5 days. It is mainly found in poultry meat. Contamination occurs when the feces of the animal come into contact with the surface of the meat. In addition, poisoning may occur when drinking unpasteurized milk and contaminated water.
E. coli; Symptoms appear between 1 and 8 days. It is seen in beef and veal that have come into contact with feces during slaughter. It is mainly caused by undercooked ground meat. Other sources are unpasteurized milk, cider and contaminated water.
C. Perfingers; symptoms appear between 8 and 16 hours. Its source is meat dishes and broth. It occurs when the food is not hot enough during serving or when it is cooled slowly.
Listeria; symptoms appear between 9 and 48 hours. Hot dogs, mass-cooked meat lunches, unpasteurized milk, cheese and cheese products are sources of this bacteria. It can also spread through contaminated water and soil.
salmonella; Symptoms appear in 1 to 3 days. Along with uncooked, raw meat products, poultry is the main source of milk and egg yolk. It can be spread through knives, cutting boards, or an infected food item.
shigella; The effects are seen between 24 and 48 hours. It is seen in uncooked and directly consumed seafood. It can be transmitted by the person who prepared the products.
C. botulinum; Symptoms begin to appear between 12 and 72 hours. It is seen in low-acid home-made canned products, unsuitable commercial canned foods, smoked or salted fish, potatoes cooked in aluminum foil, and dishes that have been kept in heat for a long time.
hepatitis A; Symptoms of poisoning appear within 28 days. It is transmitted from shellfish grown in prepared foods and contaminated water.
Vibrio Vulnificus; Symptoms appear between 1 and 7 days. Raw oysters, raw or undercooked mussels and scallops are the main source. It spreads through contaminated sea water.
Whether you get sick after eating contaminated food depends on the organism and amount of exposure, your age, and your state of health. Those at high risk:
- Elderly people: As we get older, the immune system begins to weaken. The body of a young adult is better able to deal with the infectious organism.
- Pregnant women: Changes in metabolism and circulatory system during pregnancy can increase the risk of food poisoning. Your reaction to poisoning may be more severe. In some cases, it can also infect the baby.
- Babies and young children: They are affected very quickly because their immune systems are not fully developed.
- Those with chronic diseases: Those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver, AIDS, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer weaken the immune system. Therefore, these people are easily affected by food poisoning and may need medical support in this process.
People at risk for food poisoning are from uncooked meat products and poultry, raw or uncooked fish and shellfish such as oysters, mussels and scallops, pastries with egg yolks and homemade ice cream, unpasteurized juice, cheese, milk and milk. products, uncooked sausages and delicatessen products.
What to Do in Food Poisoning?
When you suffer from food poisoning, your body consumes more water than usual. If you suspect food poisoning, try to drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out the toxins that cause symptoms. In cases of diarrhea and vomiting caused by poisoning, avoiding solid foods for a certain period of time and increasing fluid consumption is the first step in reducing the effect of food poisoning. It is possible to reduce the effect of food poisoning by treating food poisoning at home with natural ingredients that you can prepare in your kitchen.
1. Ginger
Ginger is an excellent herbal medicine that can treat various digestive problems as well as problems caused by food poisoning. It aids digestion as it increases nutrient absorption and assimilation. For this reason, it quickly stops the effects of nausea and vomiting and provides relief in a short time.
You can drink a cup of ginger tea to stop the symptoms associated with food poisoning, such as nausea and heartburn. To make ginger tea, a teaspoon of grated ginger is thrown into a cup of water and boiled for a few minutes. You can drink it by adding a little sugar or honey. Another option is to add a few drops of ginger juice to a teaspoon of honey and eat it. Repeat several times a day to reduce inflammation and stomach pains. You can also benefit from the therapeutic power of ginger by eating ginger slices directly.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Although apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature, it has an alkaline effect when digested in the body. Thus, it alleviates the symptoms caused by food poisoning. It provides instant relief by killing harmful bacteria in the stomach and intestines.
Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of hot water and drink it before meals. Alternatively, you can drink two to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar directly.
3. Lemon
The anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties in lemon help you relax. The acidic nature of lemon helps to kill bacteria in the stomach and intestines.
Drink a teaspoon of lemon juice two to three times a day with a little added sugar. You can also mix warm water and lemon juice to clean your digestive system and drink it.
4. Fenugreek Seeds and Yogurt
Yogurt has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties against bacteria that cause food poisoning. In addition, fenugreek seeds also help treat abdominal discomfort.
You can mix a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds with a tablespoon of yogurt and eat it. You can swallow the seeds directly without chewing them. When fenugreek seeds and yogurt are combined, it will provide instant relief as it stops stomach pain and vomiting.
5. Basil leaves
Basil is an excellent herb to relieve stomachaches caused by food poisoning. It has antimicrobial properties that fight germs.
You can drink basil juice, extracted by crushing a few basil leaves, mixed with a spoonful of honey, several times a day. Also, add a few drops of basil essential oil to 4 glasses of water. By drinking slowly throughout the day, it kills the bacteria in your stomach and reduces your pain caused by poisoning.
6. Garlic
Garlic is also very effective in food poisoning with its strong antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties like ginger. In addition, it has a stopping effect on symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Chew a clove of garlic and a clove and swallow it with water. If you are not bothered by the smell of garlic, you can also try garlic juice.
If you have severe diarrhoea, vomiting, dizziness or severe dehydration, be sure to consult your doctor.
What to Do in the Hospital for Food Poisoning?
If you think you have food poisoning and among your complaints,
- frequent vomiting
- Bloody vomit and bloody diarrhea
- Diarrhea for more than three days
- Extremely painful and severe abdominal cramps
- Oral temperature of 38 degrees and above
- Signs of dehydration such as excessive thirst, dry mouth
- severe fatigue
- dizziness
- Neurological symptoms such as blurred vision, muscle weakness, and tingling in the arms
If so, you should see a doctor and seek medical help. While some food poisonings are treated with the drugs given by your doctor, in some cases, they need to be treated in the hospital for a long time. In the treatment of food poisoning
- Replacing the fluid and electrolytes, which are excreted from the body with diarrhea and vomiting and are vital for the body, is one of the treatments to be performed in the hospital. Minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium, which play an important role in maintaining fluid-electrolyte balance, are given to the patient as intravenous serum. In some cases, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital for a long time to restore this balance.
- If there is food poisoning caused by bacteria and the symptoms are severe, antibiotic treatment is applied under the control of a doctor. In case of poisoning caused by Listeria bacteria, initial treatment with intravenous antibiotics is required upon admission to the hospital. Starting treatment as early as possible speeds up the healing process.
What to Eat and What Not to Eat After Food Poisoning?
People with food poisoning should not consume fatty foods, foods containing high sugar, spicy and fried foods until they recover. In addition, avoiding caffeinated coffee, sodas and energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages after food poisoning until you recover will speed up the healing process. In addition, the person who has food poisoning should stay away from milk and cheese varieties. The question of whether milk is good for food poisoning, as it contains lactose forces the digestive system, is answered in this way. In addition, raw fruits and vegetables should not be consumed.
After food poisoning, easily digestible foods such as yoghurt, rice porridge, boiled potatoes should be eaten that will not tire the digestive system. Drink plenty of clean water, herbal teas, mineral water. When you ask if ayran is good for food poisoning, it will be good because it is a yogurt-based drink and yogurt is a very therapeutic food for food poisoning.