Here are the diagnosis, treatment, and home remedies for food poisoning
FOOD POISONING – Know the diagnosis, treatment, and home remedies for food poisoning, a health condition that could be fatal.
This foodborne illness occurs when you have eaten contaminated food. A previous article already discussed the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of this health condition. Now, this article will discuss the diagnosis treatment, possible home remedies one can do for food poisoning.
DIAGNOSIS
Aside from knowing the detailed history, including how long you’ve been sick, your symptoms and specific foods you’ve eaten, the doctor will also perform physical exams that will determine if the patient is dehydrated or not.
In addition, a blood test, stool culture or examination for parasites may be conducted to identify the cause and confirm the diagnosis, based on the article from Mayo Clinic. Laboratory technicians will examine your stool sample to know and identify the infectious organism. If is it positive, the doctor will notify your local health department. This aim to determine if food poisoning is linked to an outbreak. However, there are cases that the cause of food poisoning remained unidentified.
TREATMENT
Replacement of lost fluids
Due to persistent diarrhea, fluids and electrolytes (minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium that maintain the balance of fluids in your body) are lost. They need to be replaced when this happens. Meanwhile, there are cases that some children and adults with persistent diarrhea or vomiting may need hospitalization. To prevent or treat dehydration, they will be given salts and fluids through a vein (intravenously).
Antibiotics
If your doctor will find certain kinds of bacterial food poisoning and your symptoms are severe, you will be given antibiotics. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics during hospitalization is done the food poisoning is caused by listeria needs. Pregnant patients will be given prompt antibiotic treatment to help keep the infection from affecting the baby. However, food poisoning caused by viruses will not be treated by antibiotics but will worsen it. You should talk to your doctor when it comes to your treatment options, based on the article.
HOME REMEDIES
Commonly, this condition lasts for 48 hours without treatment but you can do these home remedies to mitigate what you feel:
- Stop eating and drinking for a few hours and this will let your stomach settle.
- You can suck on ice chips or take small sips of water. Another option is to drink clear soda, clear broth or noncaffeinated sports drinks, such as Gatorade.
- Begin to eat gradually bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, and rice. When your nausea returns, stop eating.
- Avoid eating dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods until you are not feeling better.
- Since the illness and dehydration can weaken and tire you, take a rest.
READ ALSO: HYPOTHERMIA: How To Prevent & What Are The Treatment Options?