Food poisoning is an acute disorder which is usually characterized by cramping in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These food poisoning symptoms usually appear 24 to 48 hours after the consumption of the contaminated foods. There are many different pathogens like bacteria, viruses and other toxins which can cause disease in the body when ingested.


Other food poisoning signs may also begin to appear eventually. These food poisoning signs are usually associated with the kind of pathogen which has caused the food poisoning. Some of these other food poisoning signs are fever, chills, damage to the nervous system, bloody stools, blood in vomiting, and even eventual death.

Incidence of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a common condition and it is believed that 9,000 deaths occur every year in America alone due to food poisoning. It is a common misconception that food poisoning may occur due to the chemical additives and preservatives added to the foods. Food poisoning signs are actually caused by disease causing pathogens which may be present in the food. Usually, the pathogens are introduced to the food due to poor food storage as well as poor handling of foods in the kitchen.

Food Poisoning Causes
It has been recently declared by the Centers for Disease Control of United States of America, that more than 80% of the food poisoning cases are caused due to unknown contaminants. The pathogens in the food can cause more than 200 different diseases. However, food poisoning signs are very distinct and other diseases transmitted through foods are usually not considered as food poisoning.

The contaminants enter into foods if the raw materials are not washed or cleaned properly. If the person preparing the food does not wash their hands after using the bathroom or before touching the food, that too can be a cause for contamination of the foods. There are several types of food poisoning depending on the organism that causes them. Salmonella, staphylococci and clostridium botulinum are some of the pathogenic organisms which are responsible for the most severe cases of food poisoning.

Types of Food Poisoning and Food Poisoning Symptoms

The most common food poisoning signs are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, pain in the abdomen, chills, and fever. Though most symptoms of food poisoning are mild, there may be specific organisms which cause severe damage to the body. If the food poisoning organisms affect the nervous system of the human body a person can go into shock and may eventually die. Food poisoning signs caused by a salmonella infection are much like the symptoms of flu. After the first symptoms have subsided, more severe symptoms which depend on the severity of the contagion may develop.

The food poisoning signs caused by clostridium botulinum are known as botulism. The first of the symptoms usually appear 18 hours after the food was ingested. The initial food poisoning signs include dryness in the mouth, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and nausea. There may also be a blurring of vision. Eventually a person may temporarily lose the control over muscles. If the bacteria reach the nervous system, they can prevent the nerves from contacting each other and passing messages to the brain, thereby causing paralysis. There can be a loss of the ability to swallow due to which a person may become incapable of eating. The person may choke and may even pass food into the lungs. A person suffering from botulism usually dies within a few days of the infection. However, if medical aid is made available soon after the first symptoms begin to appear, the person can be saved. However, if the bacteria have already damaged some nerves, these cannot be restored even by medication and treatment.

The food poisoning signs of poisoning caused by staphylococci are usually milder. A person may feel abdominal cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The first food poisoning signs begin to appear about six hours after the person has consumed the contagious foods. The staphylococci bacteria produce a toxin named enterotoxin, which is a severe contaminant and can cause food poisoning. The bacteria are usually found in dairy products and sea food.

Food Poisoning Treatment

For the less severe food poisoning, the most common treatment is supportive care given at home. If a person consumes clear liquids, the vomiting and diarrhea may eventually subside and the condition of the person may begin to look up. However, for severe cases such as botulism, proper medical treatment is advised. Since food poisoning can be extremely dangerous for the body, it is best to first consult a doctor before treating the condition with home remedies. The food poisoning duration usually depends on the treatment method used and the severity of the symptoms of food poisoning.

If you are taking home care for food poisoning, continue drinking clear and light fluids and return to a normal diet slowly, including bland and light foods in your diet first. If you experience diarrhea or vomiting for more than two days, it can be a serious condition and therefore a physician should be consulted. Food poisoning signs such as a swollen abdomen, vomiting of blood, yellowing of eyes and skin, and the swelling of joints require immediate medical attention.

Food Poisoning Home Remedies
Usually, the effects of food poisoning can be cleared up in a few days with medications and supportive home care. To speed up the recovery process, you can use some of the following food poisoning home remedies:

• Mix together one tablespoon of the juice of a lemon with a cup of hot water and drink it. You can also use organic apple cider vinegar for this remedy.

• If you are feeling nauseous, take half a cup of soybean oil and add to it a few drops of garlic oil. Rub this mixture of oils on your stomach for instant relief.

• Brew a tea of blackberry, raspberry, mint and chamomile and drink it twice a day. This can help remove the pathogenic bacteria from your system and flush out any remaining toxins.

• Ginger tea, if consumed after every meal, can help cleanse the entire body of damaging pathogens.