Atinuke you woke up this morning and, just went straight to the kitchen to carry that pot of food (Rice or whatever). You did not even bother to wash the cooking ladle you used to make the food yesterday. You have carried that same spoon you left overnight and used it to dish out the food to eat today. In your defense, you are very hungry right?

It is 12 noon, and you are having stomach discomfort....

Come closer let me tell you something.

 You see this discomfort you are feeling now eh, it is possible that it is a result of food poisoning. You are thinking in your head about the witch from your village that poisoned your food but that is not the kind of poison I'm talking about. Let me explain what Food Poisoning is.

What is Food Poisoning?

Food Poisoning is a sickness people have after they have eaten food or ingested anything edible contaminated by pathogens, bacteria, parasites, or toxins. It is a form of food-borne illness.

What are the causes?

Some of the primary causes of food poisoning are:

1. Viruses:

Norovirus and hepatitis A are primary viral offenders. They infect foods like leafy greens, fleshy fruits, drinking water, and ice and shellfish

2. Bacteria:

Bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Clostridium botulinum are common in food poisoning. They affect fleshy foods like poultry, eggs, meat, and dairy products.

3. Parasites:

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are good examples of parasites that can contaminate food. They affect foods like meat, fish, and produce from farms.

4. Toxins

Certain bacteria produce toxins that can cause illness even when the bacteria itself is killed. Botulism is a classic example. These toxins affect mainly canned foods. It is usually advised that you properly inspect any canned food you are purchasing and finish it off immediately after you open it.

Symptoms of food poisoning.

Vomiting:

This is forceful, sudden removal of stomach contents. It acts as an early defense to purge the body of harmful toxins.

Diarrhea:

These are frequent, watery stools that rapidly take out harmful organisms from the intestinal tract.

Nausea:

Nausea is a symptom characterized by an unpleasant, queasy sensation that usually comes before vomiting. It is usually the initial warning sign of illness.

Headache:

A throbbing or aching pain in the head can accompany food poisoning, possibly due to dehydration or the body overall inflammatory response.

Fever:

This is an increase in body temperature indicating the body active fight against the infection.

Abdominal Pain & Cramps:

It is an intense, uncomfortable discomfort or sharp contractions in the stomach region, a common manifestation of the gastrointestinal system reaction.

In severe cases, other symptoms may arise. They include:

Blood in Vomit or Stool:

Indicates severe irritation or damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Severe Dehydration:

Dehydration is unsafe for young children and the elderly. High Symptoms include very dry mouth, intense thirst, little to no urination, dizziness, and confusion.

High Fever:

Once the temperature rises to more than 38.6°C in an individual, it goes to signify that there is an infection.

Neurological Symptoms:

According to World Health Organization, some foodborne pathogens like Clostridium botulinum, can also affect the nervous system negatively. This can lead to blurred vision, muscle weakness, and tingling in the arms.

 Atinuke are you panicking already? Oya calm down... Let me tell you how this food poisoning you are having now can be treated.

How can food poisoning be treated?

In most cases of food poisoning, the infection is usually mild and, as such, resolves itself out in a few days with the help of a few measures.

1. Take Oral Rehydration Solution. Since there is already a lot of fluid loss due to the vomiting and stooling, the body would need to replace those fluids as well as balance the electrolytes.

2. Visit a pharmacy to get over-the-counter medications. A good example is Loperamide, which reduces intestinal movements, thereby reducing diarrhea.

3. Get enough rest. Your body is weak at this time so it needs enough rest to be able to fight off the infections.

4. In severe cases, visit your physician for more tests and a more in-depth diagnosis.

 Also, it is recommended to consume easy-to-digest foods during this period. Some of these foods include: Toast, Plain rice, Bananas, Oatmeal, Egg whites.

Now how do you prevent food poisoning?

1. Maintain a clean environment for your food: Do not leave your kitchen dirty or comfortable enough to breed insects or dirt. Always clean up immediately after a meal.

2. Wash all foods before eating them. Do not eat things like fruits without washing them properly as they may contain bacteria from the farm on their surface.

 3. Wash all kitchen utensils and cutleries before use.

4. Keep your food in a clean environment and always heat it before a meal especially if it has stayed overnight or long hours after preparation.

 5. When you don't finish a meal, refrigerate it. Storing food in a refrigerator slows bacteria growth.

Conclusion

Food poisoning is not pleasant to experience. With the right precautions, it can be prevented. When contacted, it can be dealt with a proper understanding of the symptoms and treatment methods. Have you had food poisoning before, share your experience in the comment section, so we learn from each other experience too.