The poisoning of food: treatment at home

Probably each of us once in life have experienced the poisoning of food. Intoxication products may occur for various reasons and so as not to aggravate the situation, it is necessary to resort to first aid to stop the process. Regardless of what food caused the illness, the symptoms are almost always the same, except for some cases. In this article we will tell about what signs observed in food poisoning and how to cure the disease at home.

Poisoning food. Types and common causes

Among all types of intoxication poisoning of food, perhaps, occupies the first place. Intoxication occurs as a result of destruction of the body of poisonous substances (toxins) that enter through food. Basically there are three types of poisoning, are listed below.

• Intoxication caused by harmful organisms (diseases, fungi, bacteria).
• Intoxication nemikrobnoy nature (poisonous plants, toxic in nature, the animal organs, the toxic products of animal origin, pesticides and other chemicals on products, etc.).
• Poisoning of unknown origin.

Infection of the harmful and dangerous microbes occurs by eating food that is unsuitable and carries large number of pathogenic microorganisms. Often dangerous pathogens into the stomach in small quantities, but their metabolic products (toxins) have a very negative impact on the entire body. Once in the human body, they cause inflammatory process, which first applies to the digestive tract. In the future, these same toxins can affect other vital organs like the liver, heart, and Central nervous system.

Basically, the mechanism of action of toxins is that harmful micro-organisms produce toxins not only in food but also in the human body. Toxins are generated during the destruction of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of exposure of toxins in the stomach and intestines breaks down. The inflammatory process is accompanied by unpleasant pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Then the toxins enter the blood and spread throughout the body, causing General intoxication of the organism.

The main symptoms of food poisoning

Food poisoning early signs of illness can occur within half an hour after eating the tainted product. The severity of the symptoms depends on the type of agent ingested and the amount eaten. But regardless of the type of product and the pathogen still there are some common signs of intoxication. Usually there are several symptoms of the following:

• the feeling of nausea, followed by vomiting;
• unpleasant pain or spasms in the abdomen;
• weakness in the body;
• diarrhea;
• increased salivation;
• headache;
• temperature rise and chills;
• sometimes rapid pulse.

In some cases the victim may notice blurred vision or breathing. These severe signs may occur, for example, when infected botulinum, which is a dangerous poison for the organism and can lead to death. If you suspect botulism, you need to seek immediate medical assistance. If the situation is mild, you can remove the symptoms of food poisoning and to cleanse the body of toxins.

Note! Symptoms of poisoning can appear within 7 days after infection. Most often a negative reaction is noted within 2-6 hours after the meal.

The disease can develop simultaneously to several people, who together took meal. Most often, the symptoms of food poisoning subside within 3-7 days. Food poisoning is not contagious.

Product category, which most often occurs poisoning

Dairy products

Very often, the poisoning can be due to dairy products. This is mainly due to the production and method of storing dairy products. Dairy products are infected with dangerous pathogens mainly because of the violation of necessary sanitary-epidemiological norms. Milk can be infected with various microorganisms, where most registers aureus.

Symptoms of poisoning milk and other dairy products appear from thirty minutes to days after consumption. The severity of ailments depends on the number of toxins that have entered the body. Typical symptoms are diarrhea, pain in abdomen, vomiting and sometimes fever. The illness usually lasts up to three days.

To poor quality dairy products the most susceptible kids. Intoxication, they develop more rapidly with signs of dehydration and high temperature.

Meat and protein foods

Spoiled meat can be detected by bacterial toxins (botulinum toxin, or staphylococcal) which, if ingested, cause severe intoxication. Meat and other protein foods (e.g. eggs) may be damaged by pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli orSalmonella.

Note! Salmonella in meat can be up to six months, and in frozen meat even more. In eggs, the bacteria are able to be active up to one year on the shell to days.

Symptoms of poisoning chicken, meat and other protein foods:

• General malaise;
• pallor;
• headache;
• low appetite;
• body temperature above normal;
• pain in the abdomen and navel;
• diarrhea and repeated vomiting;
• convulsions and even loss of consciousness (in severe cases).

Mushrooms

Among poisoning vegetable poisons large place is occupied by mushrooms. This is due to the fact that many people are poorly oriented in the mushrooms and not eat. Some mushrooms are poisonous, others become so in certain circumstances (for example, during joint drinking alcohol). One of the most dangerous mushrooms are all famous pale toadstool, which do not lose their poisonous properties even during heat treatment. The first signs of poisoning by these mushrooms may not appear immediately, but after two days.

On average, the signs of mushroom poisoning appear within 1-2 hours after consumption. The clinical picture is about the same as with other food poisoning. But there are some characteristics that are typical of those or other mushrooms.

For example, during intoxication pale toadstool marked multiple (more than 20 times a day) loose stools, vomit similar to coffee grounds, seizures, cardiac or renal failure and other severe symptoms.

Poisoning govorushka or red fly agaric develops within two hours and in addition to the common features characterized by the constriction of the pupil, tearing, increased sweating, shortness of breath, decreased pressure, impaired consciousness, convulsions and other dangerous reactions.

If poisoning hornbeam victim to provide first aid and immediately call for professional medical help.

Fish

Intoxication can occur when the use of poor quality or incorrectly prepared fish. Today just so happens to be poisoning the fish after eating sushi. Pathogens such as Proteus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and others appear in food as a result of incorrect storage and lack of the simplest hygienic laws. This is classic food poisoning with all the ensuing consequences.

It happens that poisoning does not occur, but noted an allergic reaction after eating fish dishes. In this case, marked itching, burning sensation in the mouth, swelling of the face, redness of the skin, nausea, and headache, and sometimes diarrhea. Often such a reaction from the body occurs due to the presence in fish of such substances, such as histamine. Once the substance ceases to act in the body, symptoms begin to subside.

Note! You should not eat the fish with distended belly, cloudy eyes or leafless scales. After thawing, the fish needs to cook otherwise it begins to deteriorate and release toxins.

Pastry

During intoxication confectionery (mainly pastry creams) negative impact on the body have not so much harmful microorganisms, how they produced toxins. Most often observed in the effect of Staphylococcus, which under certain conditions reproduces well in dairy products.

The bacterium secretes a special type of toxin that has the name "enterotoxin". This toxin does not affect the taste of food, so many people are unaware about its presence. After exposure, the disease develops quickly (from 30 minutes to an hour) and has the typical signs of poisoning food. In severe cases, there are convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Canned

Perhaps one of the most dangerous causes of food poisoning is the causative agent of botulism. Bacteria of the genus Clostridium are able to grow even in conditions where there is no oxygen. During its life the bacterium produces dangerous and strongest toxin.

The bacterium can grow in a variety of products, where special danger is represented by the canned food, especially homemade.

Note! In the formation of toxin are observed flatulence. This is particularly noticeable on the jars with swollen lids. Pasteurization of canned more than half an hour, is able to eliminate bacteria, but their spores can withstand high temperatures, which complicates the fight against this pathogen.

Clinical signs of botulism are very severe and appear within a few hours. Often characterized by weakness in all muscles, vomiting, visual disturbances, and breathing problems. In the absence of medical care, the prognosis is poor.

Alcohol

The disease in this case develops from the adoption of the alcohol or too much alcohol consumed. It should be noted that each organism to a given dose responds differently. Intoxication of alcoholic drinks are dangerous because the alcohol can cause coma and even death. The symptoms of the disease in this case is very bright:

• lack of coordinationmovement;
• incoherent speech;
• loss of reflex activity;
• euphoria;
• cold sweat;
• the lack of response from the pupil;
• loss of consciousness.

In this case it is better to immediately consult medical assistance.

Common treatments of poisoning in the home

To cure poisoning in the home is quite possible if the symptoms are not caused by the dangerous for life toxins and are not severe. The main objective is to quickly purify the body from incoming toxins and restore water and mineral balance. We must act in a certain direction:

• remove toxins and eliminate toxicity;
• to rid the body from dehydration (occurs when diarrhea and vomiting);
• to restore the intestinal microflora;
• to restore the digestive tract and the body through medical diet.

The first step to help get rid of toxicity is gastric lavage. In principle, the body itself is already doing this by vomiting, but if the amount of toxin a lot, this will not be enough. We need to help the body excrete poison the wash procedure. To give a large number (half a liter) of warm water. Better if the water is salted or with the addition of potassium permanganate. This procedure should produce as long as the stomach do not go pure water.

Note! Diarrhea is also the body's attempt to rid of the poison. You should not interfere with the body fight harmful toxins, taking medicines to stop diarrhea. In this case, the absorption of toxins in the blood will continue.

The treatment at home ends. The next thing you need to do is give the victim the treatment. The most simple and proven sorbent is, for example, activated carbon. This tool will help to absorb dangerous toxins, preventing further absorption of poisons into the blood.

Attention! Activated charcoal is not recommended for those who have ulcerative disease of the stomach or you may experience gastrointestinal bleeding. In this case, the drug is replaced by another more secure.

Treatment at home will be even more effective if you also take care of prevention of dehydration. During retching, and frequent watery stools, the body loses large volume of fluid. Therefore, after each visit to the toilet must take fluid. So as not to provoke vomiting, the liquid is better to drink in small SIPS. The liquid can make boiled water or mineral without gas. Sometimes it is recommended to use regidron, which helps to normalize the body's electrolyte balance.

At the peak of the disease is not to take heavy food. Better on the first day to keep the hunger, which helps to cleanse the body, but not to forget about drinking. The next few days, it is necessary to observe sparing diet with the exception of fatty, spicy and any heavy food. It is necessary to exclude dairy products and alcohol.

Unfortunately, during the treatment at home, many neglect methods of restoration of intestinal microflora. As soon as the patient gets well he forgets about the poisoning. However, you should know that after intoxication intestinal microflora is in a broken state, which is not always noticeable to the victim. To restore a healthy microflora, experts recommend the use of probiotics or prebiotics. For example, these include Linex, bifidumbakterin, enterogermina and others.

To strengthen the body and improve metabolism you can use vitamin-mineral complexes. Also need to be concerned about liver, because this organ plays a leading role in detoxification. To pick your own drugs are not worth it, otherwise you can hurt yourself. It is better to consult a specialist.

In most cases, the above measures are sufficient to rid the body of intoxication. If symptoms are not expressed or cease more than 7 days, you must seek medical help.