Lifestyler with Josie McKenlay: Food Poisoning

Josie McKenlay 13:03 18/06/2015
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  • Food poisoning isn’t that uncommon, especially at this time of the year in the UAE.

    We have recently recovered from a bout of food poisoning.

    When the friends with whom we had eaten three days previously emailed from the UK to say that they had a bout of “Delhi belly” or traveller’s sickness, it was then clear what it was as we all only ate together once.

    – Lifestyler with Josie McKenlay: Senses and your health

    – Lifestyler with Josie McKenlay: Senses
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    Food poisoning isn’t that uncommon, especially at this time of the year in the UAE due to the extreme heat.

    If food isn’t prepared and stored properly at the correct temperatures, bacteria can grow by the millions in a matter of hours and this is where the danger lies: although we are surrounded by bacteria and our gut contains bacteria, if it is allowed to grow in large numbers and is then ingested, the balance is upset.

    People travelling to underdeveloped countries also risk becoming ill whilst abroad and bringing it back with them.

    Of course, it can happen anywhere in the world. Symptoms can start anywhere from six hours to weeks after eating the contaminated food.

    The longer they take to surface, the more difficult it is to diagnose whether it is food poisoning or where it came from. The sickness can last for a couple of days or drag on for months, depending on the type of bacteria.

    Symptoms tend to be similar in all cases: diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and perhaps vomiting, fever and dizziness.

    The best way to draw a conclusion as to what caused the illness is to have a stool sample analysed.

    Antibiotics may be prescribed if your body doesn’t show signs of dealing with the problem itself.

    Antibiotics may be prescribed if your body doesn’t show signs of dealing with the problem itself.

    It is essential that small children and the elderly are taken for medical care immediately as they are the most vulnerable and severe cases can lead to death.

    However, there are some remedies you can try at home if it is not so severe:-

    1. Rest. The discomfort, perhaps sleepless nights and the fact your body won’t have absorbed much in the way of nutrition following a purge will leave you feeling weak.

    2. Stay well hydrated. Drinks that contain electrolytes are particularly useful.

    3. Don’t eat for a few hours so that your stomach has time to settle. When you do start eating again, eat very small amounts of bland foods. Plain white rice, dry toast, bananas, for example, then see how you feel after a good night’s sleep. Avoid spicy, fatty foods for a few days.

    4. Once you are on the road to recovery, bananas are good because they are prebiotic and live yoghurt as the probiotics will help rebalance the bacteria in the gut. Ginger tea can help soothe your stomach and will help keep you hydrated.

    Avoid food poisoning in the home by following these simple rules:-

    ► Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.

    ► Keep work surfaces clean.

    ► Keep boiled water in the fridge for washing vegetables and fruit thoroughly before eating.

    ► Don’t leave food out in the heat and eat as soon as possible after preparation.

    ► Always ensure that meat/fish is thoroughly cooked.

    ► Keep raw animal products away from other food in separate containers.

    ► Reheat cooked food thoroughly.

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