Treatment for Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is a very common health disorder caused within 48 hours after bad indigestion of food due to viruses or toxins emitted by pathogenic bacteria. This syndrome leads to problems like nausea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Based on the amount of contamination in the food, one can also develop symptoms like fever, chills, dehydration, bloody stools, and even result in damage of the nervous system that may lead to death. It is believed that ratio of Americans suffering from food poisoning each year is 1:5. Of which, over 9,000 are reported dead. It is important to know that this health disorder is not caused by consumption of chemical fertilizers, food additives, or pesticides used by food growers or processors but in fact, caused due to poor food storage facilities or contamination of food caused due to improper handling at home or in restaurants.

Treatment of Food Poisoning:

One can take care of food poisoning in two ways:

1. Treatment at Home:
For simple food poisoning, the most common treatment is to provide supportive care at home and consumption of clear liquids. This helps in keeping the body hydrated. One should avoid alcohol, caffeine, or sugar content in drinks, as much as possible. Over-the-counter rehydration products are available for children suffering from simple food poisoning which can come in handy. Adults can drink sports drinks diluted with water. If consumed at full strength these drinks may worsen diarrhea as they contain too much sugar.

Once the vomiting or diarrhea has subsided, one can gradually start eating by way of a bland diet that may include rice, bread and potatoes. Milk can also be safely given. However, it may lead to a stomach upset due to lactose intolerance amongst some people. It is also crucial to note that if the person suffers from vomiting, diarrhea or nausea that extends beyond two days, a doctor should be consulted. One must also consult a doctor if he or she is suffering from dizziness, running temperature or feeling of unconsciousness after traveling to a foreign country. One must visit the hospital if they experience blood vomiting, swelled up abdomen, breathing problems, yellow eyes, swelled up joints, or sharp pain in the abdomen that lasts beyond fifteen minutes.

2. Medical Treatment:
The most important treatment for food poisoning is to put fluids back in the body (rehydration of the body) with the help of an intravenous line or by drinking water. If the person’s body has been severely dehydrated, or is not responding well to the therapy suggested by the doctor, he or she should be admitted to the hospital. Children especially should be kept under close observation.

• Medicines for anti-vomiting and diarrhea maybe given.

• Antibiotics are rarely used to treat food poisoning. In fact, antibiotics are said to worsen the condition in some cases. Medications are used to improve only a few specific causes of food poisoning.