Food Poisoning Natural Cures At Home | Causes | Symptoms | Preventing Food Poisoning

Posted on February 21, 2009 by mkr in Natural Home Remedies

What is Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by food-borne bacteria, parasites, yeast molds, viruses or chemicals. In children, elderly people and people suffering from immune disorders and diabetes, certain bacteria and viruses can cause severe illness.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Within 1 hour or 7 days of eating contaminated food onset of symptoms may occur.

  • Most common symptom is diarrhea.
  • Cramps and abdominal pain.
  • Sometimes, severe nausea and vomiting.
  • All those who consumed the same food, fall ill.

Causes of Food Poisoning

  • Different types of bacteria and few viruses can be the causes of food poisoning
  • Food that is improperly prepared and handled can cause problems
  • Cooking at high temperatures kills and refrigeration retards the growth of bacteria.
    But if food has been left out for a long time, toxin is formed (that can withstand freezing or heat)
  • High-speed methods of slaughtering animals (especially poultry); fish, shellfish, meat of animals fed with antibiotics to enhance growth and animals from sewage-polluted waters may carry bacteria

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning

  • Even after the diarrhea has subsided for several days, avoid milk and milk-based products.
  • Place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on the abdomen to get some relief from stomach pain and cramp.
  • Have plenty of rest and keep warm to enhance recovery.
  • Gradually re-introduce soft and easily digestible foods after the symptoms have diminished. You can return to normal diet, after diarrhea stops and your appetite increases.
  • To prevent dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting, drink plenty of clear fluids

Preventing Food Poisoning

  1. Before handling any food, wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds.
  2. Raw meat or poultry should be immediately refrigerated, but should be used within 2 days.
  3. Prefer lean cuts of meat and poultry to reduce the risk of contamination from chemicals and drugs.
  4. Use cold running water or microwave to defrost frozen food.
  5. Poultry and meats should be marinated only under refrigeration.
  6. Food should never be left in a hot car.
  7. Pets should be kept away from food preparation areas.
  8. Fruits and vegetables should be washed well off pesticides.
  9. Chuck out all food that looks or smells bad.
  10. All leftovers should be promptly refrigerated
  11. Avoid all raw-fish, shellfish and uncooked meat. Be informed of their cooking temperatures.
  12. Barbecued meat should not be served in the same plate that had raw meat.
  13. Thoroughly wash all the utensils, counter, cutting-board with hot soapy water after cooking non-veg. food.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.