Stomach Flu

Food poisoning (or Stomach flu) occurs when a person eats or drinks something, which is contaminated. The condition can be mild or severe depending upon the severity of the contamination.

Symptoms

When food poisoning affects a person, this can result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever within 48 hours of the intake of the contaminated food.

Causes

There are two causes of food poisoning. First cause is the intake of food contaminated by bacteria, virus and parasites. Second cause could be eating poisonous mushrooms and food prepared or stored in unhealthy circumstances.

Not only the food you are eating from outside can cause food poisoning but also sometimes food cooked or kept at wrong temperatures at home can also be harmful.

Prevention

To avoid the illness, always wash your hands with soap before cooking or opening some food item. Never use the oil left out in the pan, which is kept for long as some chemical reactions can take place in it that can be harmful. Always see the expiry date of the food product that you are eating and also keep your refrigerator clean since you keep your food in it and always cover the food.

Treatment

Simple way to treat food poisoning is by giving rest to your body as well as to your stomach. Go on liquid diet and do not eat anything. Have plenty of water and soup. Avoid soda or other acidic drinks. Since the most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhoea and vomiting, so keep yourself hydrated.

Drink herbal tea like mint, raspberry or chamomile. Eating bread during food poisoning is very good as it soaks the poison and provides fast relief. Drink water with a spoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in it. Eating rich banana also helps in curing food poisoning. Ginger is also good for the treatment so make a paste of ginger and take it with buttermilk or mix ginger juice with lemon juice, put black peeper in it and take it. This would help you to recover fast.

After doing these remedies you would feel better within few days but if the symptoms do not go away in few days then consult the doctor.