Is It Food Poisoining?

Is it Food Poisoning

You had a wonderful meal or you were adventurous eating street food in a foreign country.  Now, 6-12 hours after eating you don’t feel so well.  You have an overwhelming feeling of sickness, sweating, abdominal crampy; and then …. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.  This is your body’s way of getting rid of the contamination and bacteria [typically E. coli, Salmonella, Norovirus].

Food poisoning cannot be diagnosed unless we have a sample of the food and test it for toxins [poisons] which generally takes 3-4 days. Food poisoning or contamination is “suspected” if a person becomes sick and have certain symptoms after a certain time of eating the food.

We call it Gastroenteritis.  Which means there is inflammation and possible infection of the gastrointestinal [stomach & intestines] tract in the body.  It can be brought on by irritation, virus or bacteria; and they have been ingested by contaminated food and/or water.

The person will have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; or sometimes only nausea/vomiting or only diarrhea.  We can test the stool for certain viruses, bacteria and parasites but once again it will take 3-4 days for the results.  We generally treat the symptoms until the known cause is found.  The cause of symptoms is required if there is an influx of a people with the same symptoms from the same area:  restaurant, daycare, cruise ship, etc.

The severe consequences of gastroenteritis:

1.       * Dehydration and electrolyte loss – particularly in the very young [under 5 year old] and very old [over 65 year old].  The electrolyte loss can cause problems with the heart and kidneys.  Re-hydration is the key.  If persistent diarrhea for 48 hours, they should see their doctor or go the ED.  Self-rehydration for mild cases can be done with water, electrolyte replacement drinks [no caffeine], coconut water, or 2% milk.  Diabetics should be seen earlier because persistent diarrhea will cause an acid-balance imbalance.

2.       * Gastritis or bleeding – persistent vomiting will break blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus; causing red streaks of blood the vomit material.  Dark vomit is a sign of possible bleeding in the stomach and possible ulcers; the blood has mixed with the gastric juices in the stomach causing it to have a dark, coffee ground appearance.

3.      *  Obstruction of the intestines – the persistent irritation, inflammation or infection may cause severe swelling of the intestines.  They will swell, balloon and close off; or even twist.  This may cause part of the intestine to not get enough oxygen and die; the deadly cause will be if the swollen intestines rupture spilling the contents in abdominal cavity and causing infection to spread throughout the body [sepsis].

So what should I do?  Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Avoid foods that have been sitting out on display for a long period of time.  If it smells suspicious, don’t eat it.  If the water source is questionable, drink filtered or bottle water.  Be cautious of unpasteurized milk and cheeses.

Re-hydrate with water and replace electrolyte loss with electrolyte drink [no caffeine], coconut water, and/or 2% milk.  Drink one glass of water [8 oz] with each stool. If you have diarrhea more than 48 hours, seek medical care; and write down what you have eating prior to getting ill.  Your treatment may include anti-diarrhea medications and/or antibiotics.  Restart you diet with clear liquids, bland foods, and avoid spicy foods for 24-48 hours.  Ginger [candy, tea, root] is a good source to ease the nausea. 

Yvette McQueen MD, The Travel Doctor

www.yvettemcqueenmd.com