Food poisoning is a condition that affects the entire body. Although it can have many causes, food poisoning is most commonly caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses in food.
Food poisoning can be mild or severe and may last from a few hours to several months. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea.
The best treatment for food poisoning is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid solid foods until symptoms subside. If you suspect food poisoning, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Causes of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused by eating foods that contain bacteria, viruses and parasites. Food poisoning can be mild or severe. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of food poisoning so you can get medical treatment if needed.
Food poisoning can be caused by:
- Eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry or eggs
- Eating contaminated food such as fruits, vegetables or shellfish
- Drinking contaminated water
- Having contact with infected animals such as reptiles or rodents
Effects of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can lead to several health issues and complications such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, chills, dehydration, vomiting, fever, headache and worst-case scenario, death.
Prevention Tips for Food Poisoning
- Cleanliness
Keeping your environment and utensils clean is a great way to prevent food poisoning. Rodents and insects do not thrive in a clean environment, as they are known to infest food in many homes. Wash utensils and disinfect your surroundings regularly. Wash hands frequently before preparing food; avoid eating raw eggs or foods prepared with unpasteurized milk; use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables; cook foods thoroughly.
Wash hands thoroughly before cooking and after handling raw meat and poultry products; keep raw meat separated from other foods while shopping; cook foods to their proper temperatures; refrigerate leftovers promptly; clean work surfaces; wash fruits and vegetables before eating them; don’t leave foods out at room temperature for more than two hours.
2. Storing and Cooking at the Right Temperatures
Refrigerate leftovers immediately after each meal; don’t store food in warm places like the garage, hot car trunks or even inside your refrigerator if it’s not being used as a cooler for drinks; keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 41°F); always defrost meat on a plate in the refrigerator, never at room temperature; cook all seafood until opaque throughout and discard any shells that remain closed when touched after cooking. Cook your food at the right internal temperate to kill harmful bacteria.
You may have heard about food poisoning after eating at a restaurant, but most cases occur at home. This means you can take steps to prevent food poisoning by following these steps when preparing your meals
3. Prepare Meals at Home to Reduce Risk
Finding the time and energy to prepare home-cooked meals, whether you live alone oror with others, can seem difficult. After a long day, eating out or ordering in may seem like the quickest and most convenient alternative. However, convenience and processed foods might negatively impact your mood and health.
Chemical additives, hormones, sugar, salt, bad fat, and calories are all common in convenience food, all of which can negatively impact your brain and outlook. It can make you feel sleepy, bloated, and irritable, as well as increase depression, stress, anxiety symptoms, and ultimately food poisoning.
Restaurants frequently serve far more food than you need. Many restaurants serve quantities that are two to three times the suggested serving size. This encourages you to eat more than you would at home, which has negative consequences for your waistline, blood pressure, and diabetes risk.
You have more control over the ingredients when you create your own meals. You may ensure that you and your family get fresh, healthful meals by cooking for yourself. This can help you look and feel better, increase your energy, maintain a healthy weight and attitude, and improve your sleep and stress resistance.
Like we all know, prevention is better than cure. Food poisoning can be really nasty and cause severe health issues like dehydration. Everybody should be aware of what can cause it and how it could be prevented. It is a good idea to understand the cause so you can avoid food-borne illness in the future.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do to prevent food poisoning is to take a few precautions. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, and never consume undercooked meat. However, if you are unlucky enough to get food poisoning anyway, always seek medical attention. Food poisoning can be serious and should not be taken lightly.