Often, after a hearty dinner or a snack with food bought in a store, bad health begins, the stomach hurts, it freezes, the body temperature rises, and vomiting may begin. These first symptoms may indicate food poisoning, which is acute and painful.
Food poisoning in adults begins after eating spoiled foods, food that contains pathogenic bacteria or toxic substances. Poisoning can be mild and do not require special medical manipulations to eliminate symptoms. It will be enough to take the necessary measures at home to bring the body back to normal after intoxication.
Types of food poisoning in adults and causes
Poisoning can be caused by foodborne infections and be toxic in nature.
Food poisoning occurs with the assistance of stale, spoiled food that contains pathogenic bacteria. Or in case of non-compliance with mandatory hygiene standards – dirty hands, unwashed products.
The toxic nature of poisoning is possible when toxins enter the body with food: chemicals, fungi. Such poisoning poses a direct threat to human life, so if the first symptoms are very difficult, you need to call an ambulance.
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The causes of poisoning can be:
- unwashed food, or washed in dirty water;
- dirty hands or utensils that have been used for cooking;
- consumption of toxic substances with food;
- food and dishes that have been stored longer than their useful life or at room temperature for more than two hours;
- consumption of already contaminated products purchased in conditions of non-compliance with sanitary standards;
- use of medications for other purposes or when the dosage is increased;
- Undercooked meat or fish can cause severe poisoning.
Symptomatic manifestation of food poisoning
Each person carries infections in their own way, so food poisoning in adults can have the following manifestations:
- vomiting (multiple or single);
- constant nausea;
- malaise, general weakness;
- unnatural complexion;
- diarrhea;
- increase in body temperature;
- headaches, dizziness;
- chills.
If the poisoning occurred due to the fault of low-quality or expired products, then the incubation period will be very fast and within 2-3 hours the first signs of poor health will be felt by a person.
How to Treat Food Poisoning in Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step #1. – Gastric lavage
As soon as the understanding comes that food poisoning begins in adults, you should immediately rinse the stomach from food debris. How to do it: drink a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or soda (1 tablespoon of soda per 1.5 liters of water). Gradually drink the solution and induce a gag reflex by pressing on the root of the tongue with your fingers. Repeat this procedure until the stomach is completely cleared.
Doctor Komarovsky's advice: we provide assistance with food poisoning
Step #2. – Therapy with sorbents
With the help of sorbents, toxic substances accumulated during food poisoning are quickly removed from the body. As sorbents can be: activated carbon, white coal, or other drugs (Enterosgel, smecta). Activated charcoal is taken one tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Best used in soluble form. To do this, dissolve the tablets in water and drink.
Step #3. – High fluid intake
During food poisoning, diarrhea and constant vomiting dehydrates the body. To restore the natural balance of the liquid, you need to drink plenty of water. It can be boiled water, salted water (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water) or slightly sweet tea. Do not drink juices, so as not to irritate the stomach. For the rapid restoration of beneficial microflora in the intestines, the water-salt balance is very important.
Step #4. – Active Recovery
After using the most necessary drugs, in order to remove the first necessary symptoms, you can use other drugs to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Multiple rules:
- only after vomiting and diarrhea can one proceed to strengthening the stomach);
- Temperatures above 37.5 degrees must be lowered;
- cannot take pain medication to understand the full clinical picture;
- Antibiotics are prescribed in case of severe poisoning, if relief does not occur after 6-10 hours after the start of treatment.
Step #5. – Diet and regimen
Food poisoning in adults can be cured quickly and effectively if you adhere to bed rest, refuse food for the first day, and then follow a strict diet. On the second or third day, it is allowed to drink jelly with breadcrumbs, you can also allow mashed potatoes or liquid oatmeal on the water. Ideally, with every hour, relief should come and the body begins to grow stronger. If the symptoms are still clearly expressed and it does not get better, then you need to urgently go to the hospital or call a doctor at home.
Preventive measures
Food poisoning can strike at the most inopportune time, so take precautions:
- wash hands with soap before meals;
- to adhere to sanitary and hygienic standards in the kitchen;
- follow the technology of cooking;
- Properly store products, follow the expiration date;
- avoid buying products with questionable appearance and in questionable places.
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