Experiencing stomach pain, diarrhea, or nausea? It could be food poisoning; understand common symptoms like vomiting, fever, chills, and when to seek medical help for food-borne illness.
Okay, so food poisoning…not exactly a topic *we* love talking about, but hey, it happens, right? How do you know if that dodgy street food from last night is catching up to you, and how is it different from a regular stomach bug?
We’ll get down to the nitty-gritty, folks.
- Symptoms of Food Poisoning
- Stomach Pain and Cramps in the Abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Feeling of Nausea With General Desire to Vomit
- Fever
- Shivers and Chills
- Gases
Food poisoning occurs as a result of consuming contaminated food or beverages. It’s pretty common. Although food in its natural state is full of microorganisms, the danger comes when these increase dramatically. Ignoring good hygiene when preparing food could cause food to become poisonous. But, what *are* the symptoms of food poisoning?
Adhering to proper health guidelines is essential to prevent food poisoning, because food can be contaminated with germs that make it dangerous to eat. Furthermore, food can be poisoned if germs reproduce on it without being eliminated, and the worst part is that the food looks safe and edible, but what are the symptoms of food poisoning?
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Here are some of the key symptoms of food poisoning:
Stomach Pain and Cramps in the Abdomen
Those with food poisoning, often feel considerable pain around the abdominal area, specifically near the stomach, so the location is pretty specific, like around the lower ribs and above the hips.
This is because harmful substances trigger certain chemical reactions in the body, which in turn provoke a strong reaction from the digestive system, resulting in spasms of the stomach lining. It’s not fun, I’ll tell you that much. I remember one time, I had some dodgy sushi and thought “Eh, it’ll be fine!” I ended up curled up on the bathroom floor for hours. Not my finest moment.
Don’t think that the stomach pain will stay the same either, because the abdominal pains may come in waves. It sort of feels like your gut is desperately trying to get rid of the toxins as rapidly as possible.
It’s important to remember that these types of cramps can happen in other situations, therefore, it’s crucial to check for the existence of the other symptoms of food poisoning that *we’re* mentioning here.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of food poisoning that people experience, and it’s defined as excreting loose stool more than two or three times in a 24-hour period.
Diarrhea occurs here as a result of the digestive system trying to remove excess water and other fluids that are needed for bodily processes. It can last for a few days, but, it could last for longer depending on the cause of the symptoms.
Keep in mind, viral infections often lead to diarrhea without blood or mucus. In contrast, blood and mucus in the diarrhea indicate bacterial issues.
Diarrhea can also result in dehydration due to the huge amounts of fluids that the body loses, and one clear indicator is dark-colored urine.
Headache
Headaches are also frequent in instances of food poisoning. While multiple other issues can also be linked to food-borne illness, like stress and lack of sleep, it’s worth keeping in mind. So, if you’re stuck wondering how it’s different to that throbbing sensation after a long day, don’t worry, it may pass.
Researchers suggest that food poisoning can lead to headaches through a few mechanisms. The body may react with nausea and tension, and these things can often bring about headaches too.
Vomiting
Vomiting is another key symptom of food poisoning, and it occurs as the abdomen contracts to forcefully expel food from the stomach up through the digestive tract, and eventually out of the mouth.
This is the body’s way of trying to protect itself from harm and any toxic substances that have entered it through the digestive system.
Food poisoning often causes a strong urge to vomit from the get-go. Now, some people might feel relieved after they’ve got everything out of their system, but others may feel worse or feel no different at all after the episode.
Feeling of Nausea With General Desire to Vomit
A common symptom of food poisoning is feeling really nauseous; this stems from your body actively fighting off germs that it thinks are threatening its well-being.
Fever
People can also experience a rise in their body temperature, beyond the normal range which is between 36–37 degrees Celsius, and that’s typically associated with a fever. It’s one of the common things that occurs when someone is newly infected.
Elevated body temperature generally occurs when the body tries to fight off an infection, and the defense mechanism releases compounds that raise the body’s temperature. Also, certain microorganisms release their own compounds that raise the temperature.
When the fever-causing compounds are released into the bloodstream, the body recognizes that its temperature is less than what it should be, so it works to raise it. Keep in mind that this increased temperature can hinder the actions of white blood cells, thereby helping the infection get worse quickly.
Shivers and Chills
Chills occur as the body tries to regulate its temperature, resulting in rapid muscle contractions that attempt to produce the heat that the body needs, and therefore the body will shiver for warmth. I once had a fever so bad, I could barely hold a cup of tea – and for me, that’s saying something!
These feelings are common, and can be mistaken for viral infections. If you have these be sure to check with a doctor to avoid any escalation.
Gases
Gas is a feeling of discomfort in the stomach related to the nausea. This mostly will take place after an event that caused poisoning after one to eight hours.
9. Other symptoms of food poisoning
Some of the other more serious symptoms that need to be carefully considered include:
- Bloating and gas.
- Body aches.
- Loss of appetite.
That said, symptoms of food poisoning usually aren’t life-threatening, and often clear up on their own. But, here’s the thing: what happens if symptoms persist? What if you’re unable to keep down any liquids, or you suspect that the illness is from something particularly nasty like botulism? It’s always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out. Ignoring severe symptoms could lead to dehydration, organ damage, or worse. It’s not worth playing tough when your health is on the line.
Key takeaways
- Always practice good food hygiene, washing hands and surfaces frequently.
- Cook food thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria.
- Seek medical attention if you suspect severe food poisoning.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is food poisoning contagious?
Usually, no, but if it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, it might be, and hygiene is important to not spread. This can be easily avoided by taking precaution washing hands and surfaces.
Is it always obvious when food is contaminated?
Unfortunately, no. Food can often look, smell, and taste perfectly normal while harboring dangerous bacteria. That’s why proper handling and cooking are crucial.
How long does food poisoning usually last?
Most cases resolve within a few hours to a couple of days. However, some infections can last longer and require medical intervention.
Is there a way to tell if I have food poisoning or just a stomach bug?
It can be difficult to tell the difference, as symptoms are similar. Food poisoning often has a more sudden onset, while stomach bugs may have a more gradual build-up. If you suspect food poisoning, especially if others who ate the same food are also sick, it’s more likely food poisoning.
Can food poisoning be life-threatening?
In most cases, no, but it can be dangerous, especially for pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Severe dehydration and certain infections can lead to serious complications.
Testimonials
A friend of mine ate at this fancy restaurant and got so sick afterward. They were vomiting all night and had terrible stomach cramps. It turned out several other people who ate there that night had the same symptoms. They suspected the seafood wasn’t fresh. It really ruined their vacation.
My sister is super careful about food safety. One time, she made a big batch of potato salad for a family picnic. She left it out on the table for a few hours in the sun, and a bunch of people got sick afterward. She felt terrible, even though she usually knows better. It just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.
My grandfather always says, “When in doubt, throw it out!” He’s had food poisoning a few times in his life and says it’s not worth the risk. He’d rather waste a little food than spend days feeling awful. I guess you do become wise as you age.
Honestly, having dealt with food poisoning myself (more times than I care to admit, um…), I can tell you it’s something *we* all want to avoid. Prevention is the key! Always practice good food safety and don’t hesitate to trust your gut – pun intended! If something doesn’t seem right, it’s probably not!
