Is food poisoning an infection?

Is food poisoning an infection?

Here's what you need to do and which foods to avoid if you suffer from food poisoning.

Dr Reena Rawat, Senior Ayurvedic expert, Dr Shikha’s NutriHealth says, ‘Yes, food poisoning is an infection resulting from the food spoilage of food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites. The microbes not only spoil the food but release harmful chemicals that attack the stomach lining. Moreover, chemical or natural toxins present in the legumes such as amylase inhibitors also contribute in food spoilage.’ In some cases, food intoxication also causes food poisoning due to ingestion of food containing toxins produced by the bacteria present in the food. The common bacteria that can lead to foodborne intoxication include Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens.

What to do if you suffer from food poisoning?

If you experience any symptoms of food poisoninglike abdominal cramps, diarrhoea (in severe cases, blood diarrhoea), vomiting, nausea, fever or malaise (uneasiness) after having food, then consult your doctor immediately. In addition to this, you need to avoid certain foods till the symptoms subside and you start recovering. Our expert Dr Vinita Sharma, Senior Ayurvedic expert, Dr Shikha’s NutriHealth tells you foods you need to avoid.

Avoid complex carbohydrates such as whole cereals and raw vegetables as they are not only difficult to digest but raw foods up your risk of infection further worsening the condition. The same rule applies to foods rich in fibre. You should stay away from dairy products because as the body is fighting food poisoning you may experience temporary lactose intolerance. So avoid cheese, milk, paneer and other dairy products. Say no to fried and spicy foods, heavy sauces and preserved food products as it will further hamper the recovery process. Also, avoid foods which have a higher chance of contamination. Click to know! It is wise to restrict outside food for a month or so and prefer eating freshly prepared home cooked food. But also read how home cooked food can lead to food poisoning. The last on the list are alcoholic beverages and soft drinks as these drinks will only worsen the stomach woes and prolong your recovery.

Just like any other disease or condition, prevention is better than cure. As food poisoning is a hygiene related infection, make sure you keep the environment and utensils clean, Wash your hands before and after visiting a washroom. As the risk of infection is high during monsoon, eat warm and fresh foods. Avoid refrigerating and re-heating foods before eating to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. Here are easy steps to prevent food poisoning.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Disclaimer: TheHealthSite.com does not guarantee any specific results as a result of the procedures mentioned here and the results may vary from person to person. The topics in these pages including text, graphics, videos and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not to be substituted for professional medical advice.

Previous Article

How to cope with periods while travelling

Next Article

5 signs you need to go to a spine specialist ASAP!