Food Poisoning

We, South Asians, are very fond of eating from local food outlets and push-cart vendors selling tasty chaat, fuchka, pani puri, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes, we fall prey to food-borne diseases, followed by numerous trips to the bathroom and severe stomach aches.  These food-borne illnesses are commonly known as food poisoning. Surely, all of us must have fallen victim to food poisoning at some point in our life.
How is food poisoning caused? Well, infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites, or their toxins, can find their way into food at any step of production: growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping or preparing.
And cross-contamination, which means transfer of harmful organisms from one surface to another, is usually the cause. It can occur both from eating food prepared at home or in commercial kitchens. Food poisoning mostly happens through raw or ready-to-eat foods, like salads, chutnis or pickles (achaar). Improperly stored food or undercooked meat, poultry or fish can also easily get contaminated, becoming the reason of this nasty illness.
Once the food poisoning happens, the following symptoms commonly occur: nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps, and fever.
These symptoms could start within hours after eating contaminated food or might begin days or even weeks later, and generally lasts from a few hours to several days.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, rush to the doctor immediately:
•    Frequent episodes of vomiting and inability to contain liquids in body
•    Bloody vomit or stools
•    Diarrhoea for more than three days
•    Extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping
•    An oral temperature higher than 38.6 C
•    Dehydration (includes  excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness)
•    Neurological symptoms such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms

But high-risk groups that have weak immune systems should seek medical attention, even if the symptoms are mild. Such groups include, infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women patients of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, liver diseases or AIDS, and patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Here, I must add that the major complication arising from food poisoning is dehydration. And high risk groups are very prone to becoming severely dehydrated, when they lose more fluids than they can replace. In that case, they may need to be hospitalised and receive intravenous fluids (drips). Sometimes antibiotics and other medications may also prescribed. In extreme cases, dehydration can be fatal, too.

If you are at home, try the following to make yourself at ease and hydrated:

•    Settle you stomach first. Stop eating and drinking for a few hours.
•    Take small sips of water, carbonated drinks like 7-up or ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution).
•    Slowly start eating BRAT diet, which comprises of bananas, boiled rice, boiled apples with sugar and water, toast combined with yoghurt or isabgol (psyllium) husk.
•    Avoid spicy food, tea and dairy products until you feel better.
•    Rest.

However, being a foodie, myself, I cannot resist my temptation of eating street food and I won’t suggest you do, either. But, I would certainly, advise you be  alert if you, or anyone around you, falls victim to food poisoning, keeping an eye on the symptoms, so that the required care is provided timely. And do avoid eating stale foods and breads with round spotty growth of white, green or black molds.
Lastly, look after yourself and stay healthy!
 
The writer has a pharmacy background.

Food Poisoning

We, South Asians, are very fond of eating from local food outlets and push-cart vendors selling tasty chaat, fuchka, pani puri, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes, we fall prey to food-borne diseases, followed by numerous trips to the bathroom and severe stomach aches. These food-borne illnesses are commonly known as food poisoning. Surely, all of us must have fallen victim to food poisoning at some point in our life. How is food poisoning caused? Well, infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites, or their toxins, can find their way into food at any step of production: growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping or preparing. And cross-contamination, which means transfer of harmful organisms from one surface to another, is usually the cause. It can occur both from eating food prepared at home or in commercial kitchens. Food poisoning mostly happens through raw or ready-to-eat foods, like salads, chutnis or pickles (achaar). Improperly stored food or undercooked meat, poultry or fish can also easily get contaminated, becoming the reason of this nasty illness. Once the food poisoning happens, the following symptoms commonly occur: nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps, and fever. These symptoms could start within hours after eating contaminated food or might begin days or even weeks later, and generally lasts from a few hours to several days. If you experience any of the following symptoms, rush to the doctor immediately: Frequent episodes of vomiting and inability to contain liquids in body Bloody vomit or stools Diarrhoea for more than three days Extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping An oral temperature higher than 38.6 C Dehydration (includes excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness) Neurological symptoms such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms But high-risk groups that have weak immune systems should seek medical attention, even if the symptoms are mild. Such groups include, infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women patients of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, liver diseases or AIDS, and patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Here, I must add that the major complication arising from food poisoning is dehydration. And high risk groups are very prone to becoming severely dehydrated, when they lose more fluids than they can replace. In that case, they may need to be hospitalised and receive intravenous fluids (drips). Sometimes antibiotics and other medications may also prescribed. In extreme cases, dehydration can be fatal, too. If you are at home, try the following to make yourself at ease and hydrated: Settle you stomach first. Stop eating and drinking for a few hours. Take small sips of water, carbonated drinks like 7-up or ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). Slowly start eating BRAT diet, which comprises of bananas, boiled rice, boiled apples with sugar and water, toast combined with yoghurt or isabgol (psyllium) husk. Avoid spicy food, tea and dairy products until you feel better. Rest. However, being a foodie, myself, I cannot resist my temptation of eating street food and I wont suggest you do, either. But, I would certainly, advise you be alert if you, or anyone around you, falls victim to food poisoning, keeping an eye on the symptoms, so that the required care is provided timely. And do avoid eating stale foods and breads with round spotty growth of white, green or black molds. Lastly, look after yourself and stay healthy! The writer has a pharmacy background.