We often prefer eating junk food in cafes and ignore the hygiene and safety attached to it, as the food smells and tastes heavenly, be it the Panipuri bhaiya or the local Chat bhandar. But what people often fail to acknowledge is that this compromise can result in some serious health conditions and one of them is food poisoning. If the food is undercooked, contaminated, or is not cooked in a hygienic manner, the chances of food poisoning become higher. Therefore, in a conversation with Dr. Sanjay Jain, MBBS and MD (Medicine), working with Apple Hospital, Indore, we learned more about the disease, the reasons behind it, and how it can be prevented.
What Is Food Poisoning?
Dr. Sanjay Jain explains that the biggest reason for food poisoning is an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. When we eat food that is infected with bacteria, viruses, and other microbes or toxic substances, our body produces certain harmful chemicals or toxins generated by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This causes Botulism disease, which is one of the most prevalent types of food poisoning and majorly affects our intestines. It is usually the children and elderly who are more prone to food poisoning as their immunity is comparatively weak.
What Causes It?
Apart from the consumption of contaminated food and an unhealthy lifestyle, there are several other reasons that can cause food poisoning.
- Consumption of contaminated and undercooked foods is the main reason for food poisoning. And not just food, beverages too can cause it.
- Eating stale food
- Using dirty or contaminated water to wash fruits and vegetables, for washing utensils or using the same water for cooking.
- Leaving the cooked food open/uncovered can invite flies and mosquitoes to sit on it and spread harmful bacteria, leaving the food contaminated
- Food items sold on hand-carts in the open or on the road-side attract dust particles, causing contamination.
- Not just contaminated food, but unhygienic cooking areas and eating food with unwashed hands too can cause the illness.
Symptoms Of Food Poisoning
Dr. Jain explains that food poisoning can majorly affect the intestines and usually weakens the digestive system. The symptoms that one may present include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Frequent vomiting
- Frequent diarrhea
- Fever
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
What To Keep In Mind?
Dr. Jain says that if the treatment is not done properly or on time, and if the patient is careless about his/her eating and drinking habits, he/she might have to face serious complications, which can also affect their health in the long run. Here are a few things that one must keep in mind if they are suffering from food poisoning:
- Treatment is important
As soon as you learn about it, contact a doctor immediately. Take the medicines as directed by the expert. Do not skip your medications.
- Take care of what your drink and eat
Contaminated food is the main reason for food poisoning, and since it affects the digestive system and the intestines, the patient should consume light, fresh, and easy to digest food.
- Drinking ORS
Besides taking medicines, the consumption of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) is also beneficial for the treatment of food poisoning. Since there is a shortage of water in the patients, ORS can help overcome this deficiency.
Therefore, it is important that as soon as one presents the symptoms of food poisoning, he/she should immediately start the medication as directed by the health expert. Also, to prevent such a situation, it is important to maintain food hygiene, wash raw food items like fruits and vegetables with clean water before cooking, and wash your hands before, cooking. Eat at restaurants or food joints that are hygienic. However, consumption of fresh home-cooked meals is more recommended.
