Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning

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Food poisoning is an illness that is caused by consuming foods or drinks that are contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Although most foods may contain harmful organisms in them, they are destroyed in the cooking process which makes them safe to consume. However, if certain procedures are not followed such as proper hygiene or proper food storage methods, the cooked food can still be contaminated which can make you fall ill. It is difficult to identify if you have food poisoning as the signs and symptoms may vary due to the different types of organisms that cause food poisoning. Today, I'll be going through some common types of signs and symptoms that you should look out for if you think that you have food poisoning!

Abdominal Pain and Cramps

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Abdominal pain is a sensation that is felt around the trunk of the body, or the area below your ribs but above your pelvis. If you are suffering from food poisoning, you will start to have cramps as your abdominal muscle will contract to speed up the natural movement of your bowel to get rid of the harmful bacterias that are in your body. However, abdominal pain and cramps can happen for several reasons. Thus, this symptom alone may not be a good sign of food poisoning.

Diarrhoea

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Diarrhoea is a common type of symptom if you have food poisoning. It is watery and has loose stools that occur in your bowel movement in a 24-hour period. This is a result of inflammation which makes your bowel less effective in absorbing water which results in watery secrete. You might also be at risk of dehydration as you are losing more fluid than normal. Therefore, it's important to stay hydrated by drinking more fluids when you are suffering from diarrhoea.

Vomiting

Another common type of symptom when you have food poisoning is vomiting. This happens when your abdominal muscles and diaphragm contract strongly to force you to throw up the contents of your stomach through your mouth. It's a protective mechanism of your body to get rid of harmful organisms or dangerous toxins that are in your body. If you're throwing up continuously and can't keep the fluid in your body down, you should seek help from a doctor immediately!

In conclusion, food poisoning occurs when you consume foods that are contaminated by harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It is difficult to identify if you have food poisoning as the signs and symptoms may vary due to the organisms. Some of the common types of symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea. If you are experiencing these common types of symptoms for long periods, you may want to look for a doctor for further assistance!

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