Food poisoning

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Food poisoning is a condition that results from eating contaminated food. It is also referred to as food-borne illness. These may attack people from any age group and lasts from few hours to several days. Food poisoning in severe case may cause chronic and fatal disease like arthritis and can attack lungs and kidneys.

According to the recent studies around 76 million illness i.e. 325,000 hospitalization in the United States are caused because of food poisoning.

Causes of Food Poisoning

Contamination of food is the key factor that is responsible for food poisoning. These can happen anywhere be it restaurants, picnics and even at home when foods are prepared in unhygienic places and in an unhygienic manner. The causes of food poisoning can be broadly divided into two categories:

• Infectious agents

Viruses, bacteria and parasites fall in this category.

• Toxic agents

This comprises of pesticides on vegetables and fruits, poisonous mushrooms and also improper way of preparing exotic foods like barracuda.

Symptoms of food poisoning

Depending on the source of contamination, the symptoms and signs may differ. However, the common symptoms and signs are listed below:

• Nausea

• Watery diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Stomach pains

• Abdominal cramps

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

The symptoms may arise after consuming the contaminated food or may begin few days later. These symptoms may last from just one day to a week or more.

Tests for food poisoning

The diagnose are carried out based on history which may include the duration of sickness, the characteristics of the sickness and the specific types of food that have been eaten. Some physical exam can also be performed to look for signs and symptoms of dehydrat...

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Home Remedies for Food Poisoning using fruit juice and bread

• Flushing out the system as soon as possible is one of the best home remedies for food poisoning. This can be done by drinking some fresh fruit juice that is rich in potassium and add a little honey to the juice or you can also go for corn syrup. Add a pinch of salt for taste. This juice will not only flush the system but also helps retaining the important electrolysis in the body.

• Bread is also highly beneficial for food poisoning as it will help soaking the poison from the body and give some instant relief.

Apart from all the home remedies for food poisoning mentioned in the above article, follow some simple tips like cooking the food properly at high temperature, maintaining a good personal hygiene, keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy will all help preventing food poisoning.

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