What Helps with Food Poisoning? Symptoms and Treatment

Food poisoning can be briefly defined as conditions that are transmitted through food and primarily negatively affect the stomach and intestinal systems. Chemical substances, natural food toxins, metals, pesticides, plastics, detergents, parasites, bacteria, mold, and microorganisms like yeast can all be factors that cause food poisoning. Although the symptoms of food poisoning can vary from person to person, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting are often common symptoms. To prevent food poisoning, attention should be paid to hygiene conditions. Discarding moldy foods, thoroughly cleaning kitchen utensils, and washing fruits and vegetables before consumption can be considered preventive measures. Appropriate treatments can be applied to affected individuals based on the severity of the symptoms and the factors causing the poisoning. Treatments can include fluid replacement, probiotics, antibiotics, and antiparasitic medications.

What Causes Food Poisoning?

The causes of food poisoning are usually attributed to three main factors. These factors can be listed as bacteria, parasites, and viruses that contaminate food. These pathogens can be found in almost all foods consumed by humans. However, pathogens present in food die during cooking. Therefore, food poisoning primarily occurs due to the consumption of raw foods, as they do not undergo a cooking process. It is crucial for individuals to pay attention to hygiene while preparing food. Not washing one's hands or the foods to be consumed can lead to food poisoning. Additionally, meat, eggs, milk, and dairy products are often among the contaminated foods. In some cases, food poisoning can also result from organisms contaminated with water. The causes of food poisoning can be summarized as follows:

• Bacteria, viruses, intestinal parasites, poisons, and microorganisms that carry or produce toxins can colonize food and beverages, causing food poisoning.
• The most common cause of poisoning is Staphylococcus, while the most dangerous and potentially lethal toxin is Botulism.
• Foods left at room temperature for extended periods can spoil. Foods stored for long periods in the refrigerator or freezer can also spoil.
• Not washing hands after using the toilet or after exposure to other contaminants can lead to contamination during food preparation or serving.
• Unwashed kitchen utensils or an unclean eating area during food preparation can create exposure.
• Infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women, or individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of food poisoning.
• High-risk foods that can cause poisoning include milk and dairy products, creamy foods, chicken, mayonnaise, eggs and egg-based foods, meats, and seafood that are not stored properly after cooking. Examples of low-risk foods include dried and salted foods that contain high levels of salt, sugar, and preservatives.

How to Recognize Food Poisoning?

In diseases transmitted through food, pathogens are mostly ingested orally and can settle in the digestive tract, leading to infection. Poisoning manifests with various symptoms. Not all symptoms are present in every case, and the severity of the symptoms can vary based on the cause of the poisoning. Food poisoning is identified by the symptoms exhibited by the individual, making it essential to understand the symptoms well. Symptoms of food poisoning can be listed as follows:

• Headache,
• Fever,
• Stomach discomfort, pain, nausea, and cramps,
• Bloody stools and diarrhea,
• Blurred or double vision,
• Loss of movement in limbs,
• Difficulty swallowing,
• Tingling and numbness in the skin,
• Weakness and fatigue,
• Changes in voice,
• Little to no urination,
• Dizziness,
• Frequent vomiting,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Irritable bowel syndrome,
• Arthritis, swelling, and pain in joints,
• Extreme thirst and dry mouth,
• Black and tarry stools,
• Severe pain in the rectum,
• Changes in thought and behavior.

What Helps with Food Poisoning? How Does Food Poisoning Resolve?

The treatment for food poisoning varies depending on the severity of the symptoms and the cause of the illness. Medication treatment is rarely a method of choice. If the pathogens causing the illness are bacteria, viruses, or parasites, medication treatment may be preferred. The aim of treatment for food poisoning is to alleviate existing symptoms and prevent further deterioration. Potential treatment methods and helpful practices can be summarized as follows:

• Getting plenty of rest can help alleviate symptoms of fatigue caused by food poisoning.
• After the onset of poisoning symptoms, it is necessary to refrain from eating and drinking for several hours. When resuming eating and drinking, light foods should be preferred.
• Dehydration is a common complication that can develop due to foodborne illness. Dehydration should be treated promptly; otherwise, it may lead to undesirable consequences. Dehydration occurs due to diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases of dehydration, intravenous fluids may need to be administered directly into the patient's body. This procedure should be performed under medical supervision.
• Antibiotics and antiparasitic medications may be prescribed by doctors to treat infections caused by the bacteria and parasites responsible for the illness. Additionally, some medications may be recommended by health professionals for treating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Food poisoning can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiota. Probiotics are organisms that help maintain the intestinal biome. Therefore, using probiotics during poisoning can be beneficial in restoring balance.
• The BRAT diet can be helpful in addressing stomach problems. Light foods like bananas and rice can be chosen, along with smaller portions and low-fat meals. Herbal teas, which are also part of traditional medicine practices, may be preferred to alleviate symptoms.

How to Prevent Food Poisoning?

Food becomes contaminated when it comes into contact with microorganisms, posing a potential health risk. Therefore, every step from purchasing food for consumption to cooking it must take place under hygienic conditions. Measures to prevent food poisoning can be taken not only by consumers but also by individuals involved in harvesting, processing, and preparing food, who must exercise care at every stage of the process. The following precautions can be taken to prevent food poisoning:

• When shopping, choose solid, undamaged, and unspoiled foods.
• Pay attention to the expiration dates of purchased products.
• Foods that may cause illness, particularly moldy foods, should not be consumed.
• Fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw, dried fruits, fish, and eggs should be thoroughly washed before eating or cooking.
• Choose intact eggs. Do not buy broken, cracked, or dirty eggs, and check the expiration date on the packaging.
• Ground meats and offal should be consumed fresh and not stored for long periods. If not consumed, meats can be kept in the freezer for one week or in the deep freezer for 3-4 months.
• Pay attention to storage conditions for foods. Milk, cream, dairy products, seafood, meat dishes, sausages, salami, eggs, and similar foods should be kept below 5°C.
• Prevent pathogen growth in kitchen tools used during preparation, storage, and serving. Avoid using scratched or cracked plates and glasses.
• Frozen foods should not be refrozen after thawing.
• During cooking, microorganisms on the outer surfaces usually die completely, but if the inner parts are not cooked well, the microorganisms there will not die. Therefore, especially large cuts of meat should be cooked well.
• Raw and cooked foods should be stored separately.
• Foods sold openly should not be purchased.
• Meals should be prepared in fresh quantities and consumed promptly.
• Use covered trash bins.
• The inside of the refrigerator should be cleaned regularly.

How to Eat After Food Poisoning?

After food poisoning, it is recommended that the patient rests their stomach for a while before consuming food and drinks. After a few hours, one can start with light beverages that won't upset the stomach. Water, ice cream, and lightly sweetened drinks can be consumed to meet energy needs. When the person feels ready to eat, they can begin with small bites and soft foods. Suitable foods and drinks may include salty crackers, toast, bananas, rice, oatmeal, plain potatoes, boiled vegetables, chicken broth, meat broth, and low-fat foods. As the person feels better, they can gradually return to their previous diet.

Food poisoning remains a common health issue. Individuals with weakened immune systems may be affected more severely by exposure to pathogens in food. If you or someone close to you is showing symptoms of food poisoning, it is strongly advised to seek medical advice.