For a lot of people, food is not just a necessity for survival. As you know, eating a sumptuous meal can provide a content and satisfying feeling. This is one reason most of us seek to dine out and taste varying flavors, including exotic and unique dishes. However, because of this adventurous spirit, most of us will experience the dreadful symptoms of food poisoning at least once. Oftentimes, this condition will resolve itself without getting a medical treatment. Nonetheless, you still need to apply these first aid remedies for food poisoning to avoid aggravating your symptoms.
1. Keep Yourself Well-Hydrated
Dehydration is the major concern when a person is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. As you know, when your body loses a lot of fluids, it will lead to serious complications, like kidney problems.
Thus, one of the most important first aid tips for food poisoning is to keep yourself well-hydrated. However, drinking plain water is not enough. A solution containing salt and sugar is necessary. Keep in mind that salt can help slow down fluid loss. Sugar, on the hand, will aid in your body’s salt absorption.
The simplest way to make an electrolyte drink is to mix sugar (6 teaspoons) and salt (1/2 teaspoon) in a liter of distilled, purified, or boiled water.
2. Try Home Remedies for Food Poisoning
During food poisoning, the body will naturally cleanse and get rid of the harmful microorganisms through vomiting and loose bowel movements. Taking over-the-counter anti-diarrheal drugs like loperamide may hinder this natural process. Hence, it is best to just let your body perform its tasks.
But, you can certainly take some kitchen ingredients to ease your discomforts. Some recommended natural treatments for food poisoning are the following:
- Ginger tea is a highly recommended product for an upset stomach or other digestive problems. This is because ginger will not only relieve abdominal pain. This yellow-colored root also has some antimicrobial properties that can help kill the microorganism that is causing your distress.
- Aside from ginger, sipping warm water with apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons) is one of the most popular first aid tips for food poisoning. As an alkaline-forming food, this type of vinegar can calm your stomach. Furthermore, apple cider vinegar also possesses antibacterial properties.
- As a spice with potent antimicrobial properties, eating a clove of crushed garlic is another natural remedy you can try. In fact, a study showed that this healing spice is able to fight common food contaminants like Escherichia coli.
- Other herbal teas you can drink are licorice, chamomile, and peppermint.
3. Eat the BRAT Diet
Once you stop vomiting and are able to consume solid foods, you can start eating the BRAT diet or bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Basically, these foods can offer numerous benefits such as:
- These starchy and low-fiber foods can make your stools solid and firm.
- As bland foods, these products can prevent stomach irritations.
- Lastly, these foods can also help nourish your body. For example, bananas are rich in potassium and can restore your energy levels.
Aside from the above-mentioned foods, you can also try oatmeal, baked potatoes, clear soups, and saltine crackers. Additionally, you should also avoid eating dairy, fatty, and sugary foods because these products can worsen your condition.
If vomiting and diarrhea don’t occur after 24 to 48 hours, you can start introducing fruits and vegetables in your meals.
4. Consume Probiotic Foods
Probiotics are other valuable products in this list of first aid tips for food poisoning. Keep in mind that consuming these kinds of foods or supplements will aid in the recovery of your digestive tract.
Remember that the good bacteria in your gut can protect your body from harmful microorganisms. However, during food poisoning, your body also flushes these beneficial microorganisms. Thus, you can restore and improve your gut health by eating fermented foods like kefir and plain vegan yogurt.
Once your digestive tract is able to handle fruits and vegetables, you can also add other gut-friendly foods in your diet, such as berries and nuts.
5. Consult Your Doctor
If you have food poisoning, health experts recommend observing your symptoms. You need to seek professional help if you experience any of the following:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bloody stools or vomit
- Muscle weakness
- Fever or temperature above 38.6 C
- Frequent vomiting
Additionally, food poisoning should only last for about 24 to 48 hours. If your symptoms persist, it is time to seek medical attention.
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