Food poisoning is pretty common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 48 million people get food poisoning every year. Usually, it’s not dangerous, but severe cases can land you in the hospital. So, to make sure you recognize food poisoning when it strikes, here are seven common signs and how to deal with them.
Seeing that millions of Americans get food poisoning every year, there’s a good chance that you’ve had it, too. But what is food poisoning exactly?
Food poisoning occurs when the food you eat is contaminated with harmful bacteria. It can also happen when the bacteria starts to produce toxins, which you then consume.
7 signs of food poisoning
These bacteria and toxins can really upset your digestive system and lead to some pretty uncomfortable symptoms. It’s the body’s way to detoxing and expelling “poison”.
Here are seven of the most common food poisoning symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Fatigue
What to do when you have food poisoning symptoms
Usually, food poisoning resolves itself. And the chief concern is to prevent dehydration, especially when there’s diarrhea and vomiting.
So, it’s important to stay hydrated with water, broth and teas, including ginger and peppermint tea. Be sure to avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy, fruit juices or soda.
Along with staying hydrated, it’s important to introduce the right foods – but only when you feel up to it.
Avoid fatty, acidic or spicy foods. If you’re hungry, eat foods that are easy to digest, like applesauce, Jell-O, mashed potatoes and simple crackers.
