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Food Poisoning
Overview:
Food poisoning, also referred to as food-borne illness, is a gastrointestinal disorder that results from eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including various bacteria, viruses and parasites — are the most common cause of food poisoning. Harmful toxins and chemicals (noninfectious agents) also can cause illnesses, but this is less common.
Signs and Symptoms:
The symptoms of food poisoning are all too familiar!
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* Abdominal pain
* Diarrhoea which may contain food particles or blood
Causes and Organs Affected:
As the name suggests, food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated food.
Bacterial food poisoning occurs when an unwanted bacterium is contained in the food you have eaten. Salmonella is one common example - this harmful bacteria grows in cooked and raw meat and fish, dairy products, and prepared foods left at room temperature for too long. Badly canned or bottled products may also contain bacteria that don't need oxygen to multiply and are not destroyed by cooking.
Risk Factor:
Whether you become ill after eating contaminated food depends on the organism, the amount of exposure, your age and your health. High-risk groups include:
* Older adults. As you get older, your immune system may not respond as quickly and as effectively to infectious organisms as when you were younger.
* Pregnant women. During pregnancy, changes in metabolism and circulation may increase the risk of food poisoning. Your reaction may be more severe during pregnancy. Rarely, your baby may get sick, too.
* Infants and young children. Their immune systems haven't fully developed.
* People with chronic disease. Having a chronic condition, such as diabetes, liver disease or AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer reduces your immune response.
Treatment:
Don't eat any food that looks or smells rotten, or any food from bulging cans or cracked jars.
Don't eat any unidentified fish. A good rule is only eat fish that have scales.
Be particularly careful about the safety of the food you eat when you are travelling overseas. Taking a probiotic supplement before and during your trip may help to prevent food poisoning.
Other Information:
After symptoms subside, restore strength slowly by eating foods which are easily digested, such as white rice, bland vegetables, and bananas.
Home-made soups and fresh diluted fruit juices are a valuable way to receive high amounts of nutrients during periods when your digestive system is not functioning well.