Food Poisoning is the consequence of ingesting organisms or toxins in contaminated food. The majority of food poisoning cases are caused by common bacteria such as Staphylococcus or E. coli.

Food poisoning can involve one individual or it can take place as an outbreak in a number of people who have all digested the same contaminated food. Food poisoning it not a common occurrence, however, it does affect between sixty and eighty million people throughout the world each year and results in between 6 to 8 million deaths.

Food poisoning generally occurs in circumstances where foodstuff has been left unrefrigerated for lengths of time or when the food preparation methods are unhygienic. The majority of food poisoning cases are a result of undercooked meats or dairy commodities (such as mayonnaise mixed in coleslaw or potato salad) that have been left to sit too long.

What Is Food Poisoning Caused By?

Staph Aureus
Fish Poisoning
E. Coli Enteritis
Shigella
Botulism
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Cholera
Bacilus Cereus
Yersinia
Listeria

Who Is At Risk From Food Poisoning?
Child and seniors have the greatest risk of suffering from food poisoning. People who have serious medical condition or a weakened immune system are also in the high risk category. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should also be extra careful about the food that they consume.

Symptoms
The symptoms from the most widespread kinds of food poisoning usually begin within two to six hours of consuming the contaminated food. The length of time will vary, however, depending on the toxin or organism accountable for the food poisoning, and can at times even take a number of days before the symptoms begin. The possible symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever and chills
• Weakness (in the case of botulism this can be extremely serious and may even result in respiratory arrest)
• Headache

What To Do?
Drink, Drink and Drink some more!!! Your intestinal tract is irritated by the bacteria and activates an immense fluid loss. It will be necessary for you to drink lots of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. The best possible replacement for the lost fluid is water. This can also be followed by other clear liquids such as apple juice or vegetable broth.

Once the diarrhea and vomiting start to subside you should slowly reintroduce bland whole foods back into your diet – but take it easy as your body has been through enough trauma with the food poisoning.

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