{"id":2314,"date":"2018-08-13T01:50:03","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T01:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2314"},"modified":"2021-03-18T21:15:07","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T21:15:07","slug":"9-typical-food-poisoning-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/9-typical-food-poisoning-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Typical Food Poisoning Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Food poisoning refers to what happens when someone ingests a food that is contaminated with any kind of virus, bacteria or parasite; it\u2019s commonly experienced when you eat food that\u2019s a little too long past the expiry date, or if you eat food at a restaurant where the kitchen doesn\u2019t comply to the hygiene standards it should \u2013 sometimes it\u2019s even something as simple as one employee who neglects to wash their hands before getting near your salad.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a highly unpleasant condition, and it can even be deadly: It\u2019s estimated that approximately 5, 000 people die from food poisoning and other food-related illnesses every year. That\u2019s likely a much higher number than you might have thought \u2013 and it makes food poisoning a lot scarier than you might have previously considered.<\/p>\n

Typically, food poisoning kicks in a few hours or sometimes days after you have eaten something affected. Here are 9 typical food poisoning symptoms to look out for.<\/p>\n

1. Feeling Faint<\/h3>\n

One of the first symptoms of food poisoning might manifest as the fact that you are simply feeling a little faint<\/a>; this is a symptom that most people might not think much of, but it\u2019s a symptom that\u2019s almost certainly always a sign of something that\u2019s wrong in the body \u2013 usually either a sign of low blood sugar or blood pressure, which can be caused by the beginnings of food poisoning starting to take hold in your body.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s most common for the symptoms of food poisoning to show up within a few hours to sometimes a few days within ingesting the affected food, so pay close attention to when your symptoms start showing up \u2013 this can be a huge help if you are looking to track down the source of what might have given you food poisoning in the first place.<\/p>\n

If you start to feel faint, have your blood sugar and blood pressure tested first.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Seeing Stars<\/h3>\n

If you are starting to feel faint and \u201csee stars\u201d in any shape or form, then it\u2019s likely that you have something deeper that\u2019s wrong with your body and you should have a closer look. This is almost certainly food poisoning if you can combine seeing stars and feeling faint with any of the other symptoms that this article is about: You should start to experience any number of other symptoms like nausea or vomiting<\/a> shortly afterwards if this is the case.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of other potential conditions which could cause the symptom known as seeing stars, and if it\u2019s not food poisoning then you should still make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible so that they can figure out what\u2019s really behind the issues affecting your health.<\/p>\n

If it is food poisoning, your first steps are to treat the condition naturally and symptomatically \u2013 though see a doctor if the condition does not get better.<\/p>\n

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3. Nausea and Vomiting<\/h3>\n

Nausea<\/a> and vomiting are the symptoms that are most commonly associated with food poisoning, and the symptoms that most people recognize when they realize that they feel sick after food; usually, the nausea kicks in first \u2013 that\u2019s the urge to vomit \u2013 and you will likely vomit soon after this. When you have food poisoning, this is the stomach\u2019s attempt to expel the offending food, though the vomiting tends to continue even long after the body has rid itself of the initial food simply for the reason that the bacteria causing the illness will still be present.<\/p>\n

When it comes to treating nausea and vomiting, consume only soft foods for the duration of the illness and remember to stay hydrated: Food poisoning is characterised by a vast amount of fluid loss, which is what most commonly leads to the deaths of people who have food poisoning. Ensure that you replenish fluids throughout the process.<\/p>\n

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4. Abdominal Pain<\/h3>\n

If you can combine any of the symptoms on this list with each other, then it\u2019s likely that you have picked up food poisoning. Ask yourself first if you might have eaten anything unusual or out of the ordinary lately and make sure that you get rid of the leftovers if there are still any left \u2013 you might also want to notify the manager of the restaurant, or avoid it completely in future.<\/p>\n

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of food poisoning, usually accompanied by diarrhea<\/a>, nausea and vomiting. The best thing you can do if you experience this symptom is to apply both pressure and heat: A hot water bottle and a pillow can do wonders and help to alleviate the \u201cwaves\u201d of cramps that are associated with having contracted food poisoning.<\/p>\n

You can also try some other natural cures for food poisoning, including the ingestion of ginger and turmeric \u2013 two compounds known for being able to calm down cramping and an upset stomach.<\/p>\n

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5. Dehydration<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s recommended by most doctors that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day, though the same doctors can also agree that this number might be a little bit higher or a little bit lower for most people: As long as you\u2019re staying hydrated you should be healthier, and this is something that can be considered generally true even when you aren\u2019t suffering from food poisoning. Staying hydrated<\/a> is good for your body and great for your skin: It even helps your brain to function better.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder that food poisoning has so much potential to make you feel sick, especially if you take into account that you will likely be losing a lot of fluid as a result of the infection. If you have picked up food poisoning, then it\u2019s essential to your health and recovery that you consume plenty of fluids to replace those that have been lost over time.<\/p>\n

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6. Muscle Cramps<\/h3>\n

Muscle cramps<\/a> are a symptom commonly associated with both food poisoning and dehydration for the same reason: When you are losing a lot of fluid, then it\u2019s not just the fluid that you are losing: Your body is also losing out on plenty of essential vitamins and minerals at the same time, and it\u2019s this lack of vital minerals and vitamins than can start to cause muscle cramping when you are sick.<\/p>\n

The first thing that you should do is hydrate \u2013 though you should also replenish the salts that your body has lost. You can do this by making a simple electrolyte mixture: Water, salt and sugar \u2013 and consuming this regularly throughout.<\/p>\n

You can also replenish some of the lost minerals with fruit juice: Go with guava juice if you have no allergies to guava, because it is extremely high in the mineral magnesium, which can directly reduce your muscle cramping. <\/p>\n

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7. Fever<\/h3>\n

Fever<\/a> is a symptom that\u2019s commonly associated with the body while it\u2019s busy fighting any type of illness or infection; it\u2019s your body\u2019s natural way of raising the temperature so that it can easier combat the infection that\u2019s raging through your body, though a fever can be deadly if it\u2019s left untreated.<\/p>\n

If you can combine a fever with any of the symptoms on this list, then you can be almost sure that you have picked up food poisoning \u2013 you can treat the condition at home with careful replenishing of nutrients and fluids, though you should seek medical attention if the condition persists or gets any worse at home.<\/p>\n

If you want to get a fever under control, do not throw the person into a cold bath under any circumstances \u2013 this is extremely dangerous and you are putting them at a risk of having a heart attack from shock. Instead, try paracetamol to control the fever.<\/p>\n

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8. A Running Stomach<\/h3>\n

A running stomach is almost always a sign that something is wrong with your digestive health, especially if it persists over a long period of time \u2013 and as much as a day of a running stomach can be a sign that it has gone on for too long.<\/p>\n

You would be surprised at the amount of nutrients and fluid that you can lose in a 24 hour period, especially if you are vomiting at the same time: If you have picked up any of the symptoms of food poisoning, then you should take care to remain hydrated throughout: Do so with water and fruit juice, though take care to avoid dairy<\/a> if you suspect that food poisoning might be the cause.<\/p>\n

Some simple home remedies for a running stomach include ginger tea or simple mashed or boiled potato with salt.<\/p>\n

If the condition still persists, then you should seek medical attention before the condition becomes something that could be life-threatening.<\/p>\n

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9. Blood Sugar Drop<\/h3>\n

A drastic blood sugar drop is a common symptom that people report when they have food poisoning, though a lot of people might have trouble spotting this symptom when it happens. Some symptoms of this symptom itself includes seeing stars and feeling faint, though might also include the feeling of pins and needles in the extremities like your hands, legs, arms and feet.<\/p>\n

If this happens and your blood sugar has experienced a massive drop because you are sick, it\u2019s important to get your blood sugar back to normal before a fainting spell occurs. First, start by taking things easy \u2013 for example, sit down if you happen to be standing up. Then, eat something to raise your blood sugar and see if you feel any better afterwards \u2013 yes, this can also include fruit juice.<\/p>\n

Take extreme care if you are a diabetic or if you have any history of diabetes<\/a> in your family.
\nSeek medical attention if the related symptoms persist.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Systemic Inflammation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Food poisoning creates significant amounts of inflammation<\/a> in the digestive system. The inflammatory response to bad food disrupts biome health \u2013 the bacteria that live in your gut. As a result, inflammation spreads to every other biological system in the body. Systemic inflammation is the reason why you feel lightheaded and woozy, as well as the reason why you seem to have low energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

As inflammation spreads in the body, it starts to increase symptoms of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. If you suffer from any inflammatory condition, the food poisoning will amplify your symptoms. The first task of dealing with food poisoning should be to reduce inflammation and curb its spread through the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as your nausea and vomiting subside, it’s best to rehydrate and start eating \u2013 even if you don\u2019t feel like doing so. Eat some fermented cabbage, like sauerkraut or kimchi. Prebiotic fiber helps biomes recover from the inflammation and reduces inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"11. Confusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When most of us think of inflammation, thoughts of swollen joints, red, itchy skin, and bloating come to mind. However, inflammation is not only limited to swelling<\/a>, but it can also cause unnatural imbalances in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to a decline in cognitive function known as \u201cbrain fog.\u201d This disorder makes it challenging to think and make decisions. <\/span><\/p>\n

This type of confusion typically subsides after 24-hours as the gut returns to its normal state of health. However, in some cases, where the condition is severe, it may cause symptoms of disorientation and confusion \u2013 where the affected individual struggles to think and their movements become sluggish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms should clear within 24-hours. However, if you have a case of food poisoning where the symptoms continue to progress after the 12-hour mark, you may be suffering from a complication related to the food poisoning, and its best to visit your doctor for a diagnosis of your condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"12. Neurological Issues <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another advanced symptom of food poisoning is the development of neurological<\/a> issues in the nervous system and brain. These signs are yet again due to the rampant spread of systemic inflammation. Neurological symptoms associated with food poisoning can include muscle weakness, and tingling in the arms, along with blurry vision and discoordination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neurological symptoms are a sign that food poisoning is severe, and you may have contracted a dangerous bacterial infection that\u2019s affecting the nerve centers in the brain. If you notice any of these signs, it\u2019s time to visit the emergency room immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your doctor will take a stool sample and test your blood for the presence of pathogens and viruses. \u00a0Most food-borne illnesses are easy enough to treat if you catch them in time. However, if they remain undiagnosed and untreated, they could cause severe health complications that end up in your admission to the emergency room due to extreme dehydration from diarrhea.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"\"\"\"This13. Food Poisoning Complications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As we mentioned above, dehydration is a common complication with food poisoning. Your body wants to get rid of the pathogens<\/a> causing the food poisoning, and as a result, it starts to flush any fluids in the hope of eliminating the offending virus or bacteria. Unfortunately, aggressive pathogens, such as E. coli and typhoid don\u2019t leave the body that easily, and as a result, the patient will; continue to experience diarrhea, rapidly dehydrating themselves in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we experience diarrhea, the body flushes out water, along with vital minerals, like sodium, potassium, and calcium. As a result, you run the risk of developing a mineral imbalance or deficiency that could lead to the onset of a seizure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some E. coli strains cause a severe kidney complication named, \u201chemolytic uremic syndrome.\u201d With this disorder, the kidneys experience damage to the lining of the blood vessels in the kidneys, resulting in kidney failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14. Food Poisoning Prevention<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While none of us ever expect to see a case of food poisoning coming, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure. Apart from washing your hands and kitchen utensils before you handle or cook food, you should always separate raw and cooked food in your fridge to prevent cross-contamination. Leave cooked food on one shelf, and uncooked food on the shelf below. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cooking kills most organisms, and you can ensure that your food reaches the right temperature using a kitchen thermometer. Cook roasts, steaks, and chops, to at least 145 F, ground beef to 160 F, and poultry to 165 F. Always ensure that you cook any seafood or shellfish properly, and never eat uncooked seafood \u2013 especially sushi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sushi may taste great, and health bloggers love to tout its benefits. However, raw fish that\u2019s not prepared or stored correctly is a magnet for viruses and bacteria<\/a>, as well as tapeworm. Unless you trust the source of your sushi \u2013 then its best to avoid this menu item.<\/span>\r\n

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