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Food poisoning that arises from the consumption of contaminated food can affect anybody. Millions across the globe suffer from this digestive disorder every year. You may be caught unaware that consuming seemingly harmless food can result in such a distressful situation. Severe abdominal cramps followed by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the common symptoms of food poisoning. Patients may also suffer from mild fever and chills.
The symptoms may show up within a few hours or a couple of days after consuming contaminated food. Food contaminated with specific bacteria and virus often leads to food poisoning. Non vegetarian foods are susceptible to microbial contamination; therefore care should be taken while consuming these foods.
Consuming undercooked or leftover food, wrong food processing and handling often causes food poisoning. The symptoms of food poisoning hardly last for a couple of days, but if misdiagnosed or left untreated can be life threatening.
Most cases of food poisoning can be cured through simple but effective home remedies. You can adopt the following home remedies safely before calling for medical attention.
Frequent vomiting followed by diarrhea in food poisoning often leaves a person dehydrated. Proper fluid replenishment is the first and foremost home remedy for food poisoning. You can either drink a home made sugar and salt solution or use sachets of electrolytes like Oralyte and Walyte.
Use boiled water to prepare oral re-hydrating solutions. Drink electrolytic solutions in small amounts throughout the day. Avoid gulping as it may cause rolling in your tummy. Drinking buttermilk also helps in restoring the beneficial bacteria lactobacillus acidophilus keeping you hydrated as well. Replenishment of the lost fluids is very essential as severe dehydration can be fatal at times.
Sodium and Potassium are two essential minerals that maintain the normal electrolytic balance in your body. Food poisoning often lowers the sodium and potassium levels drastically. While you can make up for the loss of sodium through ORS solutions, you need to restore the potassium level too.
Drinking sports drink will replenish the lost potassium fast. Opt for the decaffeinated sport drinks. You can also have a medium sized banana after few hours when the symptoms of food poisoning reduce a bit. Banana, enriched with potassium can make you feel better. There is no need to eat this fruit forcibly as it may initiate vomiting.
According to mayoclinic.com, you may have some light and bland food items after giving sufficient rest to your stomach. Try some light vegetable soups which will provide you with essential nutrients to restore your strength and energy.
Total fasting may leave you weak. Have light crackers, plain rice and toasts in little quantities. Rice bran is also very helpful as it is easily digestible and a good energy booster. You can drink light tea but avoid adding milk to it.
Abdominal cramps are often severe in food poisoning and peppermint tea can save you from this condition. Peppermint is well known for its antibacterial property and is very effective in treating food poisoning.
Prepare tea from dry peppermint leaves and have it in small quantities 3-4 times a day depending upon the condition. Add the dried leaves in boiled hot water and keep it for 5 minutes. Drink the infusion several times a day.
Chewing ginger slices or sipping ginger ale can provide a quick relief to nausea and vomiting in food poisoning. It is considered as one of the top home remedies for food poisoning.
Gingerol, the potent ingredient present in ginger, is anti-inflammatory in nature which aids in reducing abdominal cramps. Having ginger capsules is also not a bad idea to treat food poisoning.
Drinking lime juice is another useful home remedy for food poisoning. High concentration of citric acid present in lime kills the bacteria instantly. Squeeze the juice from a medium sized lemon and have it slowly. You can add a little salt if the tangy lime juice irritates your taste buds too much. You will experience a quick relief from the food poisoning symptoms. You can add a little ginger juice for better effect.
Drinking juice from fresh Holy Basil laves has been proved to be very effective in treating food poisoning symptoms. Crush a handful of basil leaves and extract about 1-2 tablespoons of juice from it.
Add a little honey and have this juice 2-3 times a day to stop vomiting instantly. Mix chopped basil leaves and a few black pepper corns in 3 teaspoonfuls of curd. Have this mixture several times a day until you are relieved from the terrible symptoms of food poisoning.
Mix one teaspoonful each of powdered cumin and fenugreek seeds. Add this mixture to a glass of water and have it in small quantities throughout the day to get relief from abdominal cramps and vomiting.
Cumin aids in the secretion of pancreatic enzymes promoting the digestive function. Fenugreek seeds also reduces pain and discomfort in the abdomen. This is a very effective home remedy for food poisoning. You can also have this powdered mixture with a cup of yoghurt.
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