Chlorine Poisoning

Chlorine Poisoning Chlorine has been used for a very long time to dispose unclean water. It is a chemical that prevents growth of bacteria in water. It is used in sanitation of sewage and industrial waste and is also present in cleaning products used in house-holds.

When chlorine comes in contact with water it forms hydrochloric acid and hydrochlorous acid which are poisonous in nature. Chlorine Poisoning can occur when chlorine is inhaled, ingested or comes in contact with the skin or internal Mucus membrane. The diagnosis and treatment of chlorine poisoning depends on the route and duration of exposure.

What Can Cause Chlorine Poisoning?


Most people are aware of the presence of chlorine in pool water. However, ingestion of pool water does not cause chlorine poisoning. When household cleaners are ingested or inhaled, it causes chlorine poisoning. It is extremely dangerous if you mix toilet bowl cleaner with bleach, as the mixture will release yellow-green chlorine gas which could be fatal if inhaled too much. Given below is a list of conditions in which you may be impacted with chlorine poisoning:

• When cleaning products are mixed with bleach or ammonia, it releases chloramine gas and cause bleach poisoning.


• When container containing chlorine is opened after being stored for a long time, it can release gas, which when inhaled can cause poisoning.


• Other sources of chlorine are mild cleaners, bleach products and tablets used in swimming pool water.

What Are the Symptoms of Chlorine Poisoning?
Chlorine poisoning can cause the symptoms to appear all over the body and affects most of the systems of the body. Some of the symptoms are given below:

• Difficulty in breathing, accumulation of Fluid in lungs


• Burning sensation in mouth, swelling in the throat


• Throat and stomach pain, vomiting and presence of Blood In Stools


• Acid levels in body change, low Blood Pressure


• Burning and irritation of the eyes, temporary loss of vision


• Tissue damage, burns and irritation of the skin

When to See a Doctor
If anyone has come in contact with chlorine or has been exposed to it, they should be taken to the hospital immediately. If it is ingested, induced vomiting should not be tried unless suggested by poison control team or medical professional.

How to Deal with Chlorine Poisoning
When someone is exposed to chlorine, they can take the following steps to reduce the intensity of the chlorine poisoning:

• Evacuate the place where chlorine was released and get fresh air. In case the exposure occurs indoors, leave the place and move outdoors. If the exposure happens outside, move to another place, preferably with increased height. Chlorine gas is heavy and sinks to low lying areas.


• Remove the clothes which you were wearing during exposure and washing your body is recommended along with taking immediate medical attention. It is important to wash the body with soap and water, which will ensure that the chemical is removed from the body.


• Clothes which are contaminated by liquid chlorine and require to be removed over the head should be cut off from the body. Seal the contaminated clothes in a plastic bag and double bag it to prevent any further contamination. Handover the plastic bags to health department or emergency personnel and avoid direct contact with the part of the clothes which have chlorine on it.


• Wash with plain water for 10 – 15 minutes if a person's eyes has been contacted. In case the person is wearing contact lenses, the lenses should be removed and packed in plastic bag and then the eyes should be rinsed. These contact lenses should not be reused and should be disposed according to the instruction from medical professionals. Eye glasses should be washed with soap and water and can be reused after complete cleaning.


• If a person has ingested chlorine, vomiting should not be induced and medical attention should be sought immediately.

How to Prevent Chlorine Poisoning
Prevention of chlorine poisoning can be done by proper handling of chlorine and avoiding ingestion of any chlorine containing products. Any household products which contain chlorine should be placed away in locked cabinets and stored away from children. Also, before you use any products containing chloride, always read the instruction carefully.

Acetone Poisoning

Acetone Poisoning Acetone is also referred to as dimethyl ketone and propanone. It is a commonly used solvent in different industrial procedures and it represents the famous "ketone group", which is a major component of solvents. It is a liquid that is flammable and colorless at room temperature. It exists naturally, but can also be synthesized. It mixes well with ethanol, ether and water. Plastic, drugs, fibers and several chemicals are made from acetone. Products like nail polish remover, rubber cement and glues use it as their solvent. Acetone Poisoning refers to being poisoned by this solvent, and the severity of this poisoning depends on the exposure's nature and the quantity of acetone involved.

What Is Acetone Poisoning?


Acetone poisoning happens when there is a larger quantity of propanone in the human body than what the liver can easily break down. Acetone is a transparent liquid with an odor like that of nail polish removal solution. On becoming exposed to air, it begins evaporating and is highly flammable. This means that it is not safe to use acetone around an open flame.

Acetone is a common component of many commonly used products, such as nail polish and furniture polish. However, the occurrence of acetone poisoning is still very low. Your body can handle around two hundred milliliters of acetone easily, as your liver has the ability to break down acetone into chemicals that your body can use.

Acetone is synthesized in your body for breaking down fats; hence, you will have a larger level of acetone in your body when eating a low-fat diet. Starvation, metabolic diseases and exposure to this chemical can also cause acetone poisoning (sometimes called nail polish poisoning). If you happen to swallow acetone, you can get help by stomach pumping. If you haven't swallowed it, then an oral breathing treatment procedure is used for clearing it from your blood via the lungs.

Acetone is found in the following products:

• Certain lacquers


• Certain cleaning solutions


• Nail polish removal solution


• Certain glues, such as rubber cement

This is not an all-inclusive list, so you must always read the contents of a product before buying it to ensure that it does not contain poisonous components like acetone.

What Are the Symptoms of Acetone Poisoning?
There are numerous symptoms of acetone poisoning. These include experiencing a great drop in your Blood Pressure, nausea, pain in your abdomen, an unusual sweet taste in your mouth, vomiting, a pleasant fruity odor, drowsiness, a sudden coma, acting like a drunkard, lack of coordination, difficulty in breathing, a slower rate of breathing, and the urge to urinate frequently.

However, it is imperative to note that very small amounts of acetone are not harmful. The symptoms mentioned above occur when there is a huge amount of propanone in your system. Moreover, breathing a large amount of acetone for a small time period can cause irritation in your throat, nose, eyes and lungs. It can also damage your mouth severely and cause unconsciousness. A prolonged exposure of animals to acetone results in increased damage to the nerves, liver and Kidneys. However, it is still unknown whether or not humans will experience the same effects.

When to See a Doctor
You should consult a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of this poisoning. It is best to take the product with you, such as nail posh, that resulted in your acetone poisoning. If someone else is experiencing this condition, then don't make that individual throw up until the doctor advises to do so.

What Are the Treatments for Acetone Poisoning?
There are different treatments available for people suffering from acetone poisoning. The first thing should be done is to use oxygen. The ratio of propanone in your blood to that in the air sacs in your lungs is 330. It means that about 330 liters of air should be pumped out and swapped with clean, hygienic air to clearing out acetone from approximately one liter of blood. This treatment is effective but has a recovery period of several days, sometimes even weeks.

If an individual ingests a huge amount of acetone, do not provoke vomiting as propanone is injurious to the esophagus lining and the flesh in the mouth. A better way is to pump the stomach free from acetone. Doctors or nurses pump the patient's stomach by inserting a tube in the stomach via the throat. Saline or water in small amounts is pumped in the stomach area and then sucked out. This procedure will be practiced until there is no acetone in the body.

How Is Acetone Poisoning Prevented?
Acetone poisoning can be prevented by following your healthcare provider's guidelines regarding your medication, lifestyle and diet if you are experiencing metabolic conditions such as Diabetes. Consult your doctor about any changes in the symptoms so that you can manage the concentration of acetone in your body.

You should avoid coming in contact with nail polish removing liquids, paint thinners, and other products that contain acetone: acetone can be splashed into your eyes, enter your skin or stomach, and even enter your system through inhalation. Keep your house properly ventilated when you use products containing acetone. If the ventilation isn't good, wear a mask, safety glasses and gloves. Make sure to keep acetone products out of children's reach and away from flammable items.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms First, you should know that Alcohol Poisoning should never be treated at home without first seeking medical attention and/or advice. However, many people tend to confuse alcohol poisoning with drinking too much. Alcohol poisoning, in clinical terms, means having high levels of alcohol in the blood that causes grave damage to major organs in the body. It can lead to death. Consequently, it is important that you ascertain those toxic levels are not reached and this means getting the person to a hospital immediately.

In order to determine whether the person is suffering from alcohol poisoning, you first need to establish whether the intoxicated person can be roused from his/her drunken stupor. Should it prove impossible to bring that person to wakeful semblance, you should call for immediate medical assistance. Do not assume the person is okay and allow him/her to sleep so that the effects wear off. That, as a matter of fact, could be the worst decision ever! The next thing to do is confirm whether s/he ingested any illegal/legal drugs. Statistics show that most alcohol poisoning cases are caused when a person takes some drugs then, soon after, drinks alcohol.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

• Vomiting


• Seizures


• Confusion, stupor


• Slow breathing i.e. each minute having less than 8 breaths


• Blue-tinged or pale skin


• Irregular breathing i.e. having a 10 second gap between breathes.


• Unconsciousness


• Hypothermia

However, you should not wait for all the symptoms to manifest for you to seek medical attention. If the person is unconscious and cannot be woken up, they are at a high risk of dying.

Alcohol Poisoning Treatments
Medical Treatments
Treatment of alcohol poisoning involves giving supportive care as the body gets rid of all the alcohol. Children and adults who have consumed isopropyl or methanol alcohol by accident may require kidney dialysis. This is a mechanical process in which toxins and waste are filtered from your body's system to speed up alcohol removal from your bloodstream. Other medical treatments are:

• Oxygen therapy


• Careful monitoring


• Dehydration prevention by giving fluids intravenously (via a vein)


• Using glucose and thiamin

Home Remedies
Alcohol poisoning is a potentially dangerous and serious condition. Natural remedies can work, but if the patient is experiencing disrupted breathing, uncontrollable vomiting, or you cannot wake him/her, seek medical attention immediately.

• Keep warm: Blood vessels' functioning is restricted by excessive alcohol amounts in the bloodstream thereby causing hypothermia. So, you must keep the affected person warm with a coat or warm blankets.


• Avoid choking: A person who is intoxicated risks chocking in his/her own vomit, more so when unconscious. Avoid choking by having the person lie sideways. That way, the airways will open and not get clogged. However, vomiting is in some way considered effective in preventing excess alcohol from getting absorbed.


• Monitor the victim closely: A person suffering from alcohol poisoning needs close monitoring because the poisoning may lead to a coma; you should keep them awake. You should also monitor the person's breathing to ensure it is not disrupted. The patient can sleep once the symptoms have eased, but you should still continue monitoring them.


• Flush out the alcohol: You can do so by giving the person a lot of fluids. After a while, the person will start making frequent short calls, and in the process s/he would empty their bladder frequently.


• Drink lots of Water: Drinking a lot of water will help the person empty his/her bladder frequently thus reducing the amount of alcohol in the body. What's more, the water will also help keep the person hydrated throughout the whole process.


• Provide nutritional supplements: Give the person who has suffered alcohol poisoning nutritional supplements like milk thistle, which will help his/her liver detox. Vitamins B-complex also helps the body recover from the heavy drinking.

Warnings for Helping People with Alcohol Poisoning
If you know someone who might be suffering from alcohol poisoning-even if s/he does not have the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical care. If it is an emergency case, here is what to do:

If s/he is unconscious:

• Do not leave them alone: this is because the person may choke in their vomit.


• Do not force them to vomit: alcohol poisoning has been known to affect the working of your gag reflex. In the process of vomiting, the person may accidentally aspirate (inhale) vomit in their lungs thus causing fatal injury to their lung(s).

If s/he is conscious:

• If you reside in USA, call 800-222-1222 so that you will be routed to the nearest center for poison control. That way, you will be given instructions on what to do to the inebriated individual and whether the person should be taken to hospital immediately. All calls are confidential.


• Inquire for information: Ask the person how much alcohol s/he has taken & when. Also, ask whether s/he had taken any medication prior to drinking. This information will prove important when taking the person to hospital because you will also be asked some of those questions.

You should pay attention to more warning when treating someone with alcohol poisoning.

• Don't give the person a cold shower: it could cause shock which might lead to unconsciousness or/and worsen hypothermia.


• Never use coffee: It can increase dehydration.


• Don't lay them on their back: the person can end up swallowing their vomit thereby causing severe damage to their liver and body.


• Never let the person "sleep it off": It might result to a coma or unconsciousness, more so in severe cases.


• Don't let the person walk as it may make the situation worse.

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning Sun poisoning is an Allergy that attacks your skin whenever you are exposed to the dangerous rays of the sun. This causes our body to react in various ways. Spending more than 15 minutes under the sun beyond our skin’s limitations can lead to extensive damage. During this period of time, your skin begins to burn as if you are extremely sunburned. When the symptoms of sun poisoning start to develop, you can treat them by keeping your skin shaded, drinking lots of water and rest. However, sun poisoning can be a real threat to our health to the extent that it is urgent and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning



There are different types of sun poisoning that have different symptoms. It’s important to know which type of sun poisoning you have. Below are the types of sun poisoning with their corresponding symptoms:

• Solar urticarial:This type of sun poisoning causes the patient to develop itchiness and redness in the skin. Also, the patient may get bumps similar to the HIVes. In addition to this, the patient is prone to wheezing, may become dizzy and sometimes, may lose consciousness.


• Polymorphous light eruption: In this type, the patient develops irritating rashes in affected areas, leading to development of hive-like bumps. Normally, these bumps appear in dense clumps which can be seen in the chest, arms and lower legs.


• Inherited polymorphous light eruption: This causes the patient to suffer from fatigue, develops Headache and chills.

In all three types of sun poisoning, slight symptoms are common. These symptoms include:

• Redness of the skin


• Blisters in the skin


• Swelling of the skin that leads to developing bumps

Severe symptoms are far more dangerous and it could cost lives if not taken care of seriously. These symptoms may include the following:

• Fainting


• Diarrhea


• Dehydration


• Headache


• Chills


• Swelling in the face

If the sun poisoning is severe, the blisters in the affected areas will be extremely painful, may spread throughout the other parts of the skin and bleed. Additionally, this may cause your skin to develop crusts and cracks.

When to See a Doctor
Symptoms of sun poisoning may vary depending on which type of sun poisoning hit you. Either way, you should see a doctor immediately especially if you happen to have these symptoms:

• Painful blisters that cover a large area: If you see large chunks of blisters that are painful, it means that the sun poisoning is severe and may spread to unaffected parts if not treated immediately.


• Facial swellings: If you are experiencing this, your skin is already burning and it’s one sign that the sun poisoning is starting to penetrate beyond the skin.


• Fever and chills: When you have swellings, there’s a chance that you develop fever and chills. This is because the sun poisoning heats up our body temperature.


• Abnormal stomach: This is one sign you cannot take lightly. If the sun poisoning affects the stomach, it may contemplate and further damage your digestion system.


• Headache, confusion or fatness: Severe headache due to sun poisoning is a dangerous sign. Remember that our brain can only maintain a certain level of UV rays that it’s receiving from the sun.


• Signs of dehydration:Severe dehydration may lead to losing of consciousness.

Difference Between Sun Poisoning and Sun Burn
The main difference you can notice between sun poisoning and sun burn is that the type of rash a patient develops. If the rash looks and feels like a poison ivy, that’s sun poisoning. In the medical industry, this condition is also called photodermatitis. Sun burn and sun poisoning are very much similar to each other. However, what makes sun poisoning different is the severe reactions of the body when hit.

How to Deal With Sun Poisoning
Mild cases of sun poisoning can be treated on your own. However, it’s recommended that you seek further medical attention especially if the sun poisoning symptoms don’t disappear more than a week after the symptoms first showed up.

You can also apply anti-inflammatory creams on affected areas. If the symptoms are already severe, doctors may prescribe medications such as azathioprine, a drug that has the ability to furthermore boost the responses of the immune system to the sun poisoning.

Home Remedies

• Mustard oil: This oil is suitable as a remedy for symptoms of sun poisoning. Just mix the mustard oil with water and use it as a massaging mixture to the affected areas. It’s recommended to continuously massage the affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes.


• Chamomile: Boiling chamomile flowers in a cup of water is another effective remedy against sun poisoning. Just regularly apply the mixture to the affected parts and it will gradually give you improving results.


• Green tea:Frequently applying green tea mixture on the affected areas, commonly recommended twice a day, is another effective remedy. It helps treat blisters and rashes that are caused by sun poisoning. Consistency in applying this remedy will improve your chance of beating sun poisoning.


• Lavender oil: If the sun poisoning has already spread out in your skin, bathing in warm water with lavender oil helps patients feel better. This provides relief even from the most severe symptoms of sun poisoning. Use this twice a day to get the best results.


• Calamine lotion:Applying this lotion to affected areas will help you get rid of irritating rashes and blisters caused by sun poisoning. You can also use this while bathing with water that is mixed with this lotion.


• Buttermilk: Applying it by using a cotton ball coated with the cream itself helps provides relief to affected parts. Adding turmeric powder to a glass of buttermilk is another plus towards treating sun poisoning.


• Grated vegetables: Vegetables have natural healing capabilities. Grated ones such as onions and cucumbers are known effective remedies against sun poisoning. Frequent application of this remedy will give you better results.


• Herbal paste:Application of this paste to the affected parts will reduce irritating itchiness and burning sensation caused by sun poisoning. Mixing honey, turmeric powder, margosa and basil leaves can create an effective paste against sun poisoning.


• Aloe Vera extract:Aloe Vera or any liquid extracted from Aloe Vera leaves is one of the common treatments for sun poisoning. It helps soothing the skin. Apply the mixture to the affected parts for immediate relief. For the swellings, you can apply cold compress to make you feel better.


• Egg white paste: Mix egg white with a little bit of hazel and honey. Apply this mixture on the affected areas and leave it for around 5 to 10 minutes. Then, rinse it carefully with lukewarm water.

How to Prevent Sun Poisoning
There are many preventive measures you can take and these include applying the right amount of sun protection, wearing protective clothing and applying cold compress if you feel the skin is burning.

• Limit exposure to the sun: As much as possible, limit your exposure to the rays of the sun. According to the experts, the sun is at its brightest between 10AM and 4PM.So if there’s no need, don’t go outdoors between these times.


• Adaption to the sun’s rays: The skin can adapt to the sunlight. Gradually spending time outdoors will not only lessen the dangers of sun poisoning. It also allows your skin cells to adapt to the sunlight especially during summer and spring.


• Wear protective stuff:Avoid leaving bare skin exposed to the sun. Wear protective clothes and sun glasses.


• Use sun protection creams: Sun blocks are very effective preventive tools against sun poisoning. They help shield our skin from receiving excessive UV rays.

Organophosphate Poisoning: Symptoms and Treatments

Organophosphate Poisoning: Symptoms and Treatments

Overexposure to organophosphate (OPs) can lead to organophosphate
poisoning that inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and causes a buildup of acetylcholine (Ach) in the body. If you're in a business where you have to deal with insecticides, you may end up suffering from organophosphate poisoning. Exposure to nerve agents may also lead to poisoning. Organophosphate poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning in the world, with 1 million OPs poisoning accidents occurring every year. Hundreds of thousands of people lose their lives due to poisoning, so it is important to get more information about OPs. Keep reading to learn more.

Symptoms of Organophosphate Poisoning
There can be different signs and symptoms associated with organophosphate poisoning. You can divide them in three categories – Muscarinic Effects, Nicotinic Effects, and Central Nervous System Effects.

Muscarinic Effects
Following are muscarinic effects of organophosphate poisoning.The effects areshown as per the affected organ system:

• Respiratory – bronchorrhea, rhinorrhea, cough, Bronchospasm, severe respiratory diStress


• Cardiovascular – hypotension, bradycardia


• Genitourinary – incontinence


• Gastrointestinal – nausea and vomiting, hyper salivation, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, Fecal Incontinence


• Glands – diaphoresis, increased lacrimation


• Ocular – miosis, blurred vision

Nicotinic Effects
Specific nicotinic symptoms include cramping, muscle fasciculation, diaphragmatic failure, and weakness. Some autonomic nicotinic effects include tachycardia, Hypertension, pallor, and Mydriasis.

CNS Effects
The most common CNS effects of organophosphate poisoning include emotional lability, anxiety, ataxia, confusion, coma, seizures, and tremors.

Diagnosis of Organophosphate Poisoning
Several measurements are available to diagnose exposure and early biological effects of OPs poisoning. After the exposure to organophosphate, the levels of OPs metabolites will increase in the blood and urine. Measuring these levels will help diagnose poisoning. In the blood, the levels of metabolites of cholinesterases, such as neuropathy target esterase in lymphocytes, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity in plasma, and of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in red blood cells. Both BuChE and AChE activity provides the fastest way for initial screening.

Treatments for Organophosphate Poisoning
Once organophosphate poisoning has been diagnosed, it is important to determine the best treatment option. Here are some of the most common options available:

1. Airway Protection
With the use of a large-bore suction device, your healthcare provider will aspirate the secretions and ensure a clear airway passage. They may even consider administering oxygen mechanically. They may also administer atropine but will improve tissue oxygenation first to avoid Ventricular Fibrillation.

2. Atropine Sulfate
Your doctor will administer atropine intramuscularly or intravenously. If initial IV access is not possible, your doctor may give atropine through an endotracheal tube. The therapy will help reduce the effects of excessive acetylcholine buildup.

3. Glycopyrrolate
Used as an alternative to atropine, it produces similar results when ampoules of 7.5mg of glycopyrrolate were used with 200ml of saline. The regimen helps keep respiratory infections at bay.

4. Pralidoxime
Your healthcare provider will check your blood for cholinesterase before giving you pralidoxime. It's a cholinesterase re-activator and works well in the case of severe poisoning. When given early, it also helps relieve the nicotinic effects of organophosphate poisoning.

5. Skin Decontamination
Exposure to organophosphate may also lead to contamination of clothing, skin, hair, and eyes. Specific approaches are used for decontamination. It is important to flush the chemical from your eyes using clean water. You may take a shower if you're not experiencing other symptoms. Remove your clothing if you are experiencing certain symptoms of poisoning. Your doctor may recommend using surgical green soap for decontamination.

6. Gastrointestinal Decontamination
Your doctor will also consider gastrointestinal decontamination if you've been exposed to large quantity of organophosphate. They may not proceed with it if you have already vomited after being exposed to OPs.

7. Observation
Your doctor will keep you under observation for at least 72 hours to ensure you don't experience symptoms such as visual disturbances, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal distress, and pulmonary Edema. You may have to stay under observation for up to 14 days in case of severe poisoning.

8. Furosemide
Depending on your symptoms and condition, your doctor may also consider using furosemide. They would usually consider it when pulmonary edema persists in the lungs. However, they won't use it unless they have used atropine already.

9. Pulmonary Ventilation
It is extremely important to monitor pulmonary ventilation if you have been exposed to a large amount of organophosphate. Your doctor may keep you under observation and monitor pulmonary ventilation even after you have recovered from muscarinic symptoms. There are instances when respiratory failure developed a few days after organophosphate poisoning.

10. Cardio Pulmonary Monitoring
You will have to stay in hospital for a few days if you've ingested a large amount of organophosphate. Your doctor will monitor your cardiac status throughout the day via ECG recording. Some poisoning cases lead to significant cardiac toxicity.

11. Contraindications
There are several contraindicated drugs in organophosphate poisoning cases. The list includes succinylcholine, morphine, phenothiazines, theophylline, and reserpine. Your doctor may give you adrenergic amines only when you show marked hypotension or other specific signs.

Great Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatments

Great Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatments

Carbon monoxide is produced through the burning of wood, gas, charcoal or other fuel. This gas is odorless, tasteless and colorless, making it invisible to the naked eye and hard to detect without specialized equipment. Over exposure to carbon monoxide can cause it to replace the oxygen in your blood, leading to numerous health problems and even death. Nowadays our chance of excessive carbon monoxide exposure is much higher than before. If this has happened to you, then Carbon Monoxide Poisoning treatments are really helpful.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
There are numerous signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include but are not limited to:

• Confusion
  
  


• Weakness


• Dizziness


• Dull Headaches


• Nausea


• Blurred vision


• Shortness of breath


• Loss of consciousness

The extent of damage done to a person who has been exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide is dependent on the length and degree of exposure. Extended periods of exposure can lead to:

• Brain damage (often permanent)


• The possibility of developing a life threatening cardiac complication


• Death

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatments You Should Know
As you may be becoming aware of, carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke and it is imperative to seek urgent medical attention and acquire treatment. Below is a list of effective treatments for carbon monoxide poisoning.

1. Initial Treatment
The first thing you should do after a dangerous exposure to carbon monoxide is to get to clean, fresh air immediately and call the emergency services if any of the symptoms mentioned above begin to develop. If a victim is struggling to breathe properly, then perform CPR immediately. If no one else is around, first do CPR for about a minute and then call an ambulance; if someone else is around, have them call an ambulance whilst you perform CPR. Continue to perform CPR until emergency help arrives, or until you begin to breathe normal once again.

2. Standard Oxygen Therapy
A pure oxygen mask will most likely be given to you by the emergency services. This can help deliver pure oxygen to your lungs. If proper breathing is the problem, a ventilator may help you breathe and get the needed oxygen.

3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
This carbon monoxide poisoning treatment is recommended in many cases, and involves sitting in a chamber of pure oxygen, which has an air pressure2-3 times higher than normal. This process helps to speed up the process of replacing carbon monoxide with oxygen in your blood.

How Long Does It Take for You to Recover?
The amount of time taken to recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning depends on the extent of your exposure and the methods of carbon monoxide treatment employed. Carbon monoxide leaves the body in the same way it gets in. Through breathing fresh air, it may make about 4-6 hours to remove half of the inhaled carbon monoxide. This time can be decreased by using some of the methods mentioned above, such as inhaling pure oxygen.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be dangerous as the gas is hard to detect. Follow the steps to lower your risk and the abovementioned carbon monoxide poisoning treatments may be never needed.

• To prevent you or your family from becoming affected, the installation of carbon monoxide detectors is advised.


• Enduring to avoid burning anything indoors will also help prevent the dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.


• Ensure that all fuel-burning appliances have been installed correctly, and consistently check the vents for any potential blockages.


• It is also advisable to have your home inspected to ensure it is safe.


• Motor vehicles pose a potential risk as they produce a fair amount of carbon monoxide which is expelled from the exhaust. Ensure to never have your car running in enclosed areas, such as garages. If your car is stationary with a running engine, ensure to have windows slightly open to promote the flow of air.

Alcohol Poisoning Cure

Alcohol Poisoning Cure

For people who are prone to binge drinking, or drinking a lot of alcohol within a short period of time, their blood alcohol content may be so high that it is dangerous due to toxicity. That means Alcohol Poisoning can occur. If a person is extremely confused, disoriented or fails to respond to those around him or her, an alcohol poisoning cure may be necessary because if untreated, alcohol poisoning can lead to death. Therefore, it is important to know how to handle a situation involving alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning Cure Step By Step
1. Call Emergency Services
There are several indications that can occur when alcohol poisoning is affecting someone who has had a lot of alcohol. If these symptoms are present, it is time to contact emergency services. There are no remedies that can be found in the home that will cure alcohol poisoning. Therefore, you'd better know these symptoms to call for medical intervention timely. These symptoms include:

• Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. Skin can also be blotchy


• Person does not rouse when pinched, shaken or talked to


• Breathing stops for 10 seconds or longer


• Seizures, spasms or convulsions occur


• The victim appears confused or is in a stupor


• Vomiting occurs while the person is unconscious

People who are unresponsive, exhibit mental confusion or have blue skin, erratic breathing or are gasping for air require immediate attention. They need medical help, so call 911.

2. While Waiting, You Can:
Once the call has been made to bring in emergency services, there are something you can do that can help alcohol poisoning cure.

• Turn the person on their side, particularly if the person is unconscious and vomiting. This is important to help avoid choking. Vomiting helps the body get rid of some of the alcohol, so that is a positive sign. However, when a person is lying on his back, he can easily choke on that vomit.


• Place a blanket or coat over the victim. This helps the individual stay warm. Their blood vessels are constricting due to the high levels of alcohol, and this can cause hypothermia.


• If the person is conscious, it is a good idea to give them lots of water or other non-alcoholic fluids. This helps them flush the alcohol from their system, decreasing the effects and symptoms.


• Make sure to watch the victim and keep him awake while waiting for emergency services to arrive. People who fall into a coma may die if the alcohol poisoning is severe.


• Finally, if they are capable of swallowing, consider supplements like vitamin B complex and milk thistle. These supplements can help the liver detox and better handle the massive influx of alcohol.

3. But Never Do the Following:

• Leave the person to “sleep it off”: As mentioned above, a person can fall into a coma and die from alcohol poisoning. Leaving them alone to sleep is definitely not an alcohol poisoning cure.


• Force them to drink black coffee: Coffee does not help them rehydrate or flush their system of the alcohol. This is not a good beverage to give someone who has had significant amounts of alcohol.


• Force them to vomit: If the person is vomiting naturally, this is helping their system get rid of excess alcohol. However, if it is forced, their system may not function properly and may cause choke instead.


• Help them walk around: The person's brain is not functioning at proper levels. Therefore, making them keep moving increases their risk of falls or injury.

4. When Emergency Services Arrive:
The paramedics will take control of the situation. They are trained to evaluate the individual and determine what is needed to stabilize the victim. In most cases, the person will require a trip to the emergency room at the local hospital. Monitoring and sometimes an intravenous drip will be required. Sometimes, the individual will have their stomach pumped to remove excess alcohol.

Some people will require a tube to be inserted into their windpipe to assist with breathing. For young children who accidentally ingested methanol, kidney dialysis may be required.

Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition. Emergency services and medical intervention are always advisable as soon as possible. This can prevent any more serious symptoms from developing when more and more alcohol is processed into the body.

What Will Happen If a Victim of Alcohol Poisoning Is Left Untreated?
Alcohol poisoning cure is necessary when you find someone is under this condition. If left alone, it can lead to many tragic consequences. For example, the breathing and heartbeat can both slow and even stop when a victim is left alone. Someone with alcohol poisoning can also choke on his or her own vomit. Someone left alone in this condition can also have seizures, suffer permanent brain damage, suffer from hypothermia or drastically low blood sugar. All of these conditions can lead to death.

Therefore, it is never advisable to leave someone alone who you believe is suffering from alcohol poisoning. Even someone who is not exhibiting symptoms of alcohol poisoning but has ingested high amounts of alcohol should be watched to make sure they will sober up and not have any health issues related to the alcohol they have ingested.

You will get more facts about alcohol poisoning death from the video below, which makes you knowthe importance of remembering what has been talked in this article.

Lead Poisoning Treatment

Lead Poisoning Treatment

Lead Poisoning is a serious condition with life-threatening complications. It occurs when lead, a highly toxic metal and poison, builds up in the body. It is present in lead-based paints, including paint on the toys and walls. You may also find it in contaminated dust, art supplies, and gasoline products. Lead poisoning does not occur all of a sudden – it may take months or even years to develop. When it does, it leads to physical and mental impairment. It is dangerous for all, but young children are at a greater risk. Early diagnosis improves the effectiveness of lead poisoning treatment.

How Can I Know If I Am Having Lead Poisoning?
Single exposure or intake of lead would rarely cause lead poisoning, as it is usually a result of repeated or long time exposure to lead.

Common Symptoms
When you become a victim of lead poisoning, you may have abdominal pain, cramps, Constipation, Headaches, and sleep problems after repeated lead exposure. Aggressive behavior, irritability, loss of appetite, memory loss, and high Blood Pressure are also signs of lead poisoning. Some other signs and symptoms include fatigue, anemia, tingling in the extremities, and kidney dysfunction.

Symptoms in Children
Lead poisoning can also affect children, and usually leads to mental impairment. The most common signs of lead poisoning in children include low IQ, behavior problems, learning difficulties, problems with hearing, poor grades at school, and growth delays.

Severe Symptoms
In a severe case of lead poisoning, you may experience symptoms such as vomiting, severe abdominal cramping, seizures, stumbling when walking, muscle weakness, coma, and disorientation. Repeated exposure to lead may even lead to kidney and nervous system damage in both children and adults. In case of these severe symptoms, it is important to call emergency service for immediate medical assistance.

How Is Lead Poisoning Diagnosed?
Before determining a lead poisoning treatment plan, it is important that your doctor first confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will order tests and screen for lead levels in your blood if you have certain symptoms that indicate lead poisoning. You may be living in areas with a higher lead exposure risk. If that is the case, you will benefit from having your children screened for lead levels in their blood.

A simple blood test is usually enough to detect lead poisoning. The process involves taking a blood sample, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. Lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter. You may need help if your test result shows values anything higher than 5mcg/dL. You usually need immediate lead poisoning treatment when lead levels in your blood are higher than 45mcg/dL.

How Is Lead Poisoning Treated?
For Exposure to Lead
The treatment for lead poisoning involves taking different steps.

• Eliminate the source of lead: The first treatment option is to remove all potential sources of lead around you. Dirt and old paint chips are usually the main culprits. Call in professionals to get rid of lead-based paint in your home.


• Eat healthy food: You need to stick to a diet that includes food rich in vitamins, minerals, and iron. These nutrients help reduce levels of lead in your body. Moreover, you are less likely to absorb excessive lead if you are on a well-balanced nutritious diet.


• Chelation therapy: If other steps do not work, the third lead poisoning treatment option is to go for chelation therapy. You will be taking chelating medicines that bind to lead and eliminate it from your body.


• EDTA therapy: Your doctor may decide to use drugs called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) if your lead levels are greater than 45mcg/dL. You may require more than one treatment depending on your lead level.

For Ingestion of Lead

• Bowel irrigation: In case someone has eaten a large amount of lead in one dose, your doctor may consider bowel irrigation first, which involves flushing out the gastrointestinal tract using polyethylene glycol solution.


• Gastric lavage or gastric suction is another treatment option in this case and involves washing out your stomach with the help of a tube inserted into your throat.

Keep in mind that while you can take steps to reduce lead levels in your body, nothing will reverse the damage that has already occurred due to lead poisoning. That is the reason why you should take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place.

How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
As mentioned already, instead of getting in the hassle of finding the best lead poisoning treatment, you will be better off taking steps to avoid or at least minimize your exposure to lead. Here are some steps to take.

• Clean your home and workplace properly to reduce exposure to lead – using sponge with warm water to clean floors will help.


• Do not try to remove lead paint on your own. You may remove it in the wrong way and make contamination worse.


• Call a professional to get your water tested if you have lead solder in your plumbing or have lead pipes. You should also ask a professional for help when you have an old house and have no clue about what sorts of pipes are installed.


• Make use of cold water for cooking, drinking, and for preparing baby formula.


• Run the water for at least 15 seconds before drinking it, especially if you are using the faucet after a few hours.


• Make sure that your employer complies with federal and state laws regarding lead exposure.


• Wear masks and protective clothing if your job requires lead exposure.


• Always take a shower after you get home from work that has potential lead exposure.

Food Poisoning While Pregnant

Food Poisoning While Pregnant

Pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean “eating for two,” but you do need to eat a variety of foods to provide you and your growing baby with the proper nutrients. A pregnancy diet is usually the same as you normally eat when not pregnant, but there are a few foods to avoid getting food poisoning while pregnant. This can alleviate complications in pregnancy and risk to your baby.

Food poisoning in pregnancy may only have a few symptoms and be mild such as fever and body aches and then clear up quickly. In some cases, the infection can affect the baby and cause severe consequences like stillbirth or illness in the fetus. To protect your unborn child, make sure you understand the risks of eating contaminated food.

How Do I Know I Have Food Poisoning While Pregnant?
Food poisoning happens when food is contaminated with bacteria and doesn’t mean food has poison in it. During pregnancy, the symptoms of food poisoning can easily be mistaken for “morning sickness.” The symptoms of food poisoning may be more pronounced and include:

• Diarrhea


• Fever


• Vomiting


• Increased fatigue


• Chills

Food poisoning can show up within minutes to hours of eating a contaminated food. This time frame is different for each person and case. It is very important to contact your doctor as soon as you develop symptoms. This will help eliminate complications. The most important complication to avoid is Dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth and eyes


• Feeling thirsty


• Feeling dizzy


• Headache


• Dark urine

Will Food Poisoning Hurt My Baby? What to Do?
Food poisoning while pregnant can come with greater complications to both mother and baby.If not treated properly, this can lead to dehydration, or possible harm to the baby. The following 3 food borne illnesses can cause pregnancy complications or loss and so it’s important to learn the treatment for each condition as well as drinking enough water to prevent dehydration. Other remedies include ensuring enough rest to allow your body to recover, do not rush into eating and drinking right after an upset stomach, and then ease back to low-fat, bland and easy to digest foods like toast, rice, bananas and crackers. If your symptoms are severe, or if they are mild but you are concerned about the baby, please do not hesitate to see the doctor.

Listeria
This food illness is bacterial and needs to be treated with antibiotics. If you are close to your delivery date, your newborn may be treated with antibiotics as well.

These bacteria come from contaminated water and dirt that food is grown in. Any food can have it, but the worst offenders tend to be soft cheese, lunchmeats, and hot dogs. In non-pregnant people it usually doesn’t do any harm at all. In pregnancy, listeria can cause the infection to spread to the baby and cause early labor or stillbirth. Symptoms include:

• Fever


• Stiff Neck


• Headache


• Brain fog and confusion


• Diarrhea


• Sore achy muscles

Toxoplasmosis
Treatment includes anti-parasitic medication. There is also a blood test you can get before you get pregnant to see if you have ever been exposed to toxoplasmosis.

This infection comes from cat feces, litter boxes, and soil that has come into contact with the parasite. It is easily passed from the mother to the fetus without the mother knowing it is present in her blood. It is often contracted from cleaning a cat litter box while pregnant. Toxoplasmosis can cause stillbirth, birth defects, and Miscarriage in early pregnancy. There are usually no symptoms in the mother, but can include:

• Feeling like you have the flu


• Enlarged lymph nodes


• Muscle aches

Salmonella
Salmonella in non-pregnant people may clear up by itself. Pregnant women need to be treated quickly with antibiotics. If you have severe vomiting and diarrhea, you may need IV anti-nausea medication and fluids.

Salmonella is bacteria that live in your digestive tract and the digestive tract of animals. It is excreted in feces. Some animals carry salmonella on their fur and you contract it from petting the animal. Most common animals to carry salmonella are chickens, lizards, snakes, geese, and ducks. It can be passed to your baby and cause your baby to have diarrhea and vomiting at birth.

The most common cause of salmonella is these contaminated foods:

• Food that grows near the soil (sprouts, mushrooms, beans)


• Raw or undercooked chicken, beef, fish (includes sushi)


• Raw or undercooked eggs (Cesar dressing, hollandaise, mayonnaise)


• Raw milk (unpasteurized)

Always wash your hands before handling food. If you have touched an animal or something that may have salmonella, you can transfer it into your food. For example, touching raw chicken and then touching vegetables. Also, watch for food recalls that may contain salmonella.

Symptoms of salmonella begin around 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated food and include:

• Vomiting


• Abdominal pain


• Diarrhea


• Fever


• Chills


• Headache

Experiences of Other Moms:

“I was in my 7th month of pregnancy when I developed diarrhea and throwing up for about 24 hours. I tried to take care of myself at home, but called my doctor. He advised me to go straight to the emergency room. I’m glad I went. I was dehydrated very bad and needed IV fluids. They told me the dehydration could send me into early labor.” Jamey

“Around my 20th week of pregnancy I developed food poisoning. My muscles were achy and I had diarrhea pretty severely. I called my doctor and was told that if my temp stays below 100.4 and I was keeping fluids down that I would be okay. The doctor strongly advised me to drink lots of fluids and rest.” Carrie

“I got food poisoning whilepregnant and felt like I was going into labor at 32 weeks. I had about 6 hours of vomiting when I started to have contractions. I called my doctor and he told me to increase my fluid intake. I was throwing up everything I ate and I was afraid the baby wasn’t getting any nutrients. The doctor said the baby would be fine. I drank some of that coconut water with electrolytes and felt fine by the next day. The contractions stopped and my baby was fine.” Marie

How to Prevent Food Poisoning During Pregnancy
To prevent getting food poisoning while pregnant, follow these food safety tips:

Avoid eating lunch meat or hot dogs (You can slightly cook lunch meat in the microwave to kill bacteria).

Never eat soft unpasteurized cheese (Feta, brie, camembert, blue cheese, and “queso blanco fresco. It is okay to eat processed cheese, cream cheese and cottage cheese).

Avoid Pate and meat spread(Canned versions are okay, but not out of the refrigerator section).

Avoid deli salads (Chicken salad, tuna salad, ham salad, or egg salad).

Do not touch cat feces or litter (Have another person in your home change the litter box and avoid gardening during pregnancy.

Do not drink water from a natural spring (Untreated drinking water can contain a wide range of contaminants, especially E. coli).

Wash your hands and all kitchen surfaces before and after cooking (Clean surfaces in between working with meat and vegetables).

Make sure the store bags meat separates from vegetables(Raw meat juice can contaminate your veggies).

If you aren’t sure, throw food away(If you are not sure if a food is safe to eat, throw it out. Never use an expired food past its expiration date.)

Keep hot food hot and cold food cold (This is especially important at a barbeque or buffet. Keep salads with eggs or mayo very chilled and do not eat any leftovers. Use a chafing dish to keep hot foods hot.)

What Are Food Poisoning Treatments?

What Are Food Poisoning Treatments?

Food poisoning usually occurs when you have consumed contaminated food or water. Some common contaminants that can cause this condition are parasites, bacteria and viruses like Salmonella. Symptoms of food poisoning usually appear about two to six hours after eating the contaminated food, including abdominal cramps, Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days and it is not necessary to see a doctor. However, if you suspect you are sick from mushrooms or shellfish, you should see your doctor immediately.

How to Treat Food Poisoning
Food poisoning treatment is often palliative because the condition is self-limiting. Once the body is rid of the contaminant, the symptoms disappear. Here are some things you can do to ease the symptoms.

1. Keep Hydrated
The vomiting and diarrhea cause Dehydration due to the loss of fluids. It is therefore important to replace the lost fluid by drinking plenty of water. If the vomiting prevents you from drinking, take small sips or suck on ice chips. Once the vomiting has abated, drink clear fluids like broth, flavored water and an electrolyte drink to replenish all the lost electrolytes.

2. Pay Attention to Your Diet
Avoid dairy or fizzy drinks because these will irritate your stomach. Avoid any fried, spicy or greasy food because this will irritate your stomach as well. Once you are able to handle solid food, eat light and bland foods like dry toast, plain rice and bananas. These are easily digestible and will start to replace all the lost calories. Taking a probiotic will also help because it contains good bacteria for your gut and will speed up the recovery process.

3. Avoid Anti-Diarrhea Medication
Anti-diarrhea medication is not a good idea for food poisoning treatment. Vomiting and diarrhea is the body’s way of ridding itself of the contaminant. Therefore, do not take anti-diarrhea medication because this will stop the diarrhea and keep the contaminant in the body for a longer time, making your symptoms worse and prolonging recovery. Also take rest as much as possible to help your body recover.

Natural Remedies for Food Poisoning

If the symptoms are not too severe, it may be worthwhile to try some natural remedies for food poisoning treatment. The following items are usually stocked in your kitchen cupboards and may help you relieve the symptoms of food poisoning.

1. Ginger
Ginger is known to alleviate nausea. You can drink some ginger tea or even eat sLices of raw ginger, if you can stand its flavor. Ginger tea can be made by steeping one teaspoon of grated ginger in hot water. This can be strained and sweetened with honey. A few drops of ginger juice can also be added to a teaspoon of honey and be taken a few times per day.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps by killing the bacteria and soothing the stomach lining. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of hot water and take before meals. Another way is to take two to three teaspoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar.

3. Garlic
Garlic has strong antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal properties and also helps with abdominal pains and diarrhea. Drink garlic juice or eat a fresh clove with some water if you can handle the smell and taste. Alternatively, you can rub a mixture of soybean oil and garlic oil onto your stomach after meals.

4. Lemon
Lemon has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. You can drink one teaspoon of lemon juice two to three times per day. Alternatively, you can sip on lemon juice mixed with warm water.

5. Basil
Basil benefits the body by alleviating the abdominal discomfort with antibacterial properties. Drinking basil juice with honey a few times a day will help. Also, a few drops of basil oil in your drinking water sipped throughout the day may relieve your symptoms. You can also try a few basil leaves with a pinch of sea salt and pepper, mixed with three tablespoons of plain yoghurt. Eat this up to four times a day until symptoms of food poising disappear.

6. Fenugreek Seeds and Yoghurt
The mixture can sooth abdominal discomfort. The yoghurt in particular, has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which will promote recovery. One teaspoon fenugreek seeds swallowed whole with one tablespoon of yoghurt should do the trick.

7. Bananas
Being easily digestible and rich in potassium, bananas help to restore energy levels. Eat a ripe banana or incorporate it into a healthy shake to restore your depleted potassium levels.

8. Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds ease stomach inflammation and abdominal discomfort caused by food poisoning. You can boil one teaspoon of cumin seeds in one cup of water, add one teaspoon of coriander and a pinch of salt. Drink this mixture twice daily for a few days.

9. Other Herbal Teas
Peppermint tea will relieve stomach cramps. Chamomile tea will soothe nausea and reduce stomach inflammation.

When to See a Doctor
See your doctor as soon as possible if the natural remedies don't work as food poisoning treatment or when you have the following symptoms:

• If you develop a high temperature


• If there is blood in your vomit or stool


• If you are severely dehydrated (things to watch out for: dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, decreased urination, increased heart rate or breathing rate)


• If you are pregnant women, young children, the elderly or people with an impaired immune system

How to Prevent Food Poisoning
Food can be contaminated by infected food handlers who don’t wear the protective gear when handling the food or from contaminated utensils and cooking surfaces. Another way in which food is contaminated is the cooking process. The food is not cooked at a hot enough temperature or has not been refrigerated at a cold enough environment. Here are some tips to prevent food poisoning:

• Buy food from reliable sources only, especially dairy, eggs and shellfish.


• Ensure that foods are not expired, jars have an intact seal and cans are not bulging.


• Store foods appropriately, following the recommendations.


• Food preparations should be safe. All utensils should be sanitized regularly.


• Avoid eating raw food and ensure that food is cooked thoroughly.


• Discard food if you have any doubts with its smell or taste.

How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?

How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?

If you have eaten contaminated food, you might wind up with food poisoning. This awful feeling will definitely make you wonder "how long does food poisoning last". The symptoms can be awful, including vomiting, nausea and Diarrhea. The poisoning can be so severe that some people even need to stay in the hospital with intense symptoms. However, for most people, food poisoning can resolve on its own with only patience and no treatment.

How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?
Most food poisoning cases last 1-2 dayswith thesymptoms resolving on their own. If food poisoning lasts longer than that, one should seek medical help.

The answer to "how long does food poisoning last" and how long does it take for symptoms to show also depends upon where the poison came from.If the tainted food contained staph, the symptoms can begin within one hour of eating. If the problem came from campylobacter, the symptoms might not show up for 10 days or more. If you are dealing with a parasite, it might take even longer for the problems to show up. Sometimes the long wait between the meal and the food poisoning signs makes it tough to figure out exactly what you ate that might have been bad. Those symptoms can last from about a day for some infections, or a few months or even longer for other more harsh infections.

What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
The signs of food poisoning can start out very mild and become severe quickly. The most common signs are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea might contain Mucus or blood.

You might also feel severe stomach cramps, aching muscles, loss of appetite and a lack of energy. You might run a high fever and have chills, depending upon the source of the food poisoning. In fact, some symptoms of food poisoning can be mistaken for Stomach Flu.

Is It Food Poisoning or Stomach Flu?
How can you tell if it is food poisoning or the stomach flu? Your first sign might be the abdominal pain, as the stomach flu often gives you aches and pains, but not the sharp pains that come along with food poisoning. The flu also takes some time to take hold, so a sudden onset of symptoms might indicate that it came from tainted food.

The diarrhea and vomiting you experience might be very severe if you get food poisoning since your body is trying to get rid of the poison as quickly as possible. You might also notice that everyone who ate the same thing falls ill at the same time – not one person getting sick and then another one catching it days later, like you would with the flu.

Finally, the answer to "how long does food poisoning last" can hold the key to the problem. Viruses and other nasty illnesses tend to linger for a longer time while most bouts of food poisoning are done in less than 24 hours.

When to See a Doctor
If you suspect you have food poisoning, you might want to see a doctor to help you go through the symptoms. Remember that sometimes food poisoning can be very severe, so look for signs of Dehydration and a high fever. Call your doctor immediately if you notice the following:

• Dehydration signs, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth or decreased urination


• Diarrhea that lasts longer than two days and is very severe


• Severe abdominal pain


• Significant vomiting or nausea


• Black, tarry or bloody stools


• A fever greater than 102 °F


• Signs of chemical or toxin poisoning, including tearing of the eyes, salivation, confusion, stomach pain or dizziness, usually occurring within 30 minutes of a meal

These issues in an infant or toddler are significant cause for concern and should be reported to the doctor immediately. Any child under the age of three months of age with a fever over 100.4 °F should always see the doctor.

If you suffer from muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle paralysis, blurred vision or loss of speech, call 911 right away. These are signs of Botulism poisoning which can be fatal if not treated quickly.

How to Treat Food Poisoning
1. Rest Up
If you have the symptoms of food poisoning, don’t drink or eat anything for a few hours to give your stomach a chance to recover. Avoid dairy, caffeine, nicotine, anything spicy and anything containing alcohol. Anti-diarrheal medication is not a good idea as it can keep you from purging the poisons. When you do feel like eating, turn to only bland foods for a few days.

2. Replacement of Lost Fluids
When you have severe diarrhea, your body loses fluids and electrolytes at a fast rate. It is very important to replace those fluids, so drink something like Pedialyte and Gatorade in order to replenish what your body needs. Severe cases might require IV fluids in the hospital.

3. Antibiotics
Certain types of food poisoning that are very severe might require antibiotics to help you get over them. For instance, listeria poisoning responds well to antibiotics. Keep in mind that this is unusual and antibiotics might not help you if you have the most common forms of food poisoning.

How to Prevent Food Poisoning
There are some ways to help ensure that your food stays safe. Always prepare foods properly, heating them thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers promptly. All fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before eating and you should wash your hands frequently when preparing food and before eating the food. Keep your countertops clean as well.

If you are at a restaurant, make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked and don’t eat anything that looks odd or moldy. Be aware of dirty plates or silverware as well.

Finally, if you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, avoid eating soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk or juices, as these might contain listeria which could be harmful to you and fatal to your baby.

Food Poisoning vs. Stomach Flu

Food Poisoning vs. Stomach Flu

When you are suffering from symptoms like vomiting and Diarrhea, you may wonder if you are suffering from food poisoning or flu. (The flu here means stomach flu, right? Since there are reallly some big differences between food poisoning and the flu so that you can tell them apart easily.)

Many of the parasites, bacteria and viruses that result in symptoms of stomach flu come from eating bad food. This means that many of the times you have these symptoms, it is from something you ate that was contaminated. But, how can you tell the difference between food poisoning vs flu (stomach flu)?

Food Poisoning vs. Stomach Flu: What're the Similarities and Differences?
Food poisoning and the flu have similar symptoms, which make it challenging to identify the difference between the two. However, they are still different conditions that have many differences.

1. Symptoms
Food Poisoning

The symptoms you get with food poisoning are different, depending on the cause of the contamination. Most common symptoms include the following:

• Ÿ Watery diarrhea


• Ÿ Nausea


• Ÿ Vomiting


• Ÿ Fever


• Ÿ Abdominal pain


• Ÿ Abdominal cramps

You usually begin to get these symptoms within a few hours of eating food that has become contaminated. Some food poisoning symptoms take longer—up to several days or weeks after eating the bad food. The symptoms usually last a few hours but can also last as many as several days.

Stomach Flu

When comparing food poisoning vs flu, you need to know that the two diseases have very similar symptoms. These include having nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. The symptoms usually last about one day and then you begin to feel better. Less than two percent of flu sufferers ever need to be hospitalized in the US, although it can be a major cause of death in people who live within developing countries.

2. Causes
Food Poisoning

The main cause of food poisoning is eating food that is contaminated with bacteria or viruses. The main bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Shigella species. Rarely, viruses can contaminate food, but most of the time, it is due to one of the pathogenic bacteria described above.

Stomach Flu

Causes of the flu include infections from bacteria and viruses that inflame the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. The infections result in an increase in the fluid in the colon and small intestines because the tissues don't absorb water normally and the motility of the food you eat increases, resulting in diarrhea. The infection can be caused directly from the infectious agent itself or from toxins produced by the infectious agent.

3. Treatment
Food Poisoning

The mainstay of treatment for food poisoning is to avoid eating solid foods if you are feeling nauseous or having diarrhea and to drink plenty of clear liquids to prevent Dehydration. The BRAT diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, which are the first solid foods you should eat after most of the symptoms have gone away. You should wait until the nausea resolves before trying to eat other solid foods. Medications for nausea can be given but you shouldn't take anything for the diarrhea because you need to flush out the bacteria causing the infection.

StomachFlu

When talking about treatment for food poisoning vs flu, you should know there are still some similar ways. You need to rest and drink as much clear liquids you can tolerate if suffering from stomach flu. Water is a good choice as well as chicken or beef broth, which can keep you hydrated until the infection resolves. You can take fluid replacements that contain electrolytes, such as Gatorade or PowerAde, for both food poisoning and flu. This prevents fluid and electrolyte disturbances from occurring. See your doctor if you have any evidence of dehydration or can't keep anything down because you might need a brief hospitalization for intravenous fluids.

4. Prevention
Food Poisoning

You can prevent food poisoning if you consistently wash your hands before handling food during the food preparation process. You should also avoid eating any food that smells bad or has obvious discoloration, indicating that in might be contaminated.

You should seek the attention of a doctor if you come down with symptoms that go beyond the typical food poisoning symptoms. These include the following:

• Blood in the stool or vomit.


• Frequent vomiting episodes with an inability to keep food or liquid down.


• Diarrhea that lasts longer than three days.


• A fever of greater than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit


• Severe abdominal pain or cramping


• Evidence of dehydration, such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, a lack of adequate urination, lightheadedness, or dizziness.


• Blurry vision, extremity tingling, muscle weakness or other neurological symptoms

StomachFlu

Like food poisoning, nothing prevents the stomach flu better than good hand washing techniques for stomach flu. Wash your hands frequently and stay away from anyone who seems to have the flu. Make sure you wash your hands after using the restroom and when you need to come in contact with someone who has infected with it. However, when comparing food poisoning vs flu, you should know the flu can be contagious from a few days to even weeks. So don't share utensils or glasses with anyone who may be sick with the stomach flu. If you have the stomach flu, stay away from others who may be susceptible to the flu, such as young children, pregnant women, etc.

Food Poisoning from Chicken

Food Poisoning from Chicken

Although food poisoning is a common problem, it is distressing and at times life threatening for millions of Americans and other people across the globe. Food-borne organism may cause no symptoms or mild symptoms such as intestinal discomfort. Other times they may cause severe symptoms including bloody Diarrhea and Dehydration. Food poisoning can be fatal depending on the type of the infection.

Causes of Food Poisoning from Chicken
Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria are the main causes of chicken food poisoning. The sources of these bacteria include poultry products such as eggs and chicken, unpasteurized milk and meat. The bacteria live in the intestines of livestock and poultry. Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria can be transmitted from their hosts to the human food chain through feces. Humans can also get the bacteria after livestock animals and birds are slaughtered.

Food poisoning also occurs due to poor hygiene and/or poor methods of preparing food. Some of the poor food preparation methods include:

• Allowing raw chicken juices to mix with cooked poultry and other foods


• Preparing chicken at the wrong temperature


• Cooking chicken for a shorter period than required


• Cooking chicken before it defrosts thoroughly


• Preparing cooked and raw chicken on the same chopping board


• Ignoring the "sell by" label on chicken

Washing chicken before cooking may also cause food poisoning from chicken. Many people assume that washing chicken kills germs and bacteria. However, washing spreads bacteria and germs to all chicken parts, which increases the risk of chicken food poisoning.

Symptoms to Watch Out For


The incubation period refers to the period from when one eats contaminated food to when symptoms of food poisoning appear. Most people experience food poisoning symptoms between 24 and 48 hours after eating contaminated food.

Symptoms of Salmonella Food Poisoning
Symptoms of salmonella food poisoning appear between 8 and 72 hours after taking contaminated water or food. Severe symptoms last for 48 hours and include nausea, chills, fever, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and bloody stool. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, tenderness or cramping and dehydration signs such as a dry mouth and decreased urine.

Symptoms of Campylobacter Food Poisoning
Campylobacter bacteria cause acute diarrhea and is transmitted by consuming contaminated food, unpasteurized milk or water. It is also transmitted through contact with infected wild animals, infants, and pets.

Campylobacter symptoms include nausea, fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, malaise or uneasiness, and abdominal pain and/or cramping. Campylobacter infection can be severe especially for patients with a weak immune system. It causes additional complications such as nerve problems, reactive Arthritis and brain problems in some rare cases. The additional complications appear after diarrhea occurs.

How Is Food Poisoning from Chicken Treated?
You can treat chicken food poisoning in the following ways:

1. Do Not Eat or Drink Immediately
You do not feel like eating or drinking when experiencing food poisoning symptoms. Do not eat or drink in the first few hours of the infection to give your digestive system a break. Avoiding food and drinks allows your stomach to settle and prevents further vomiting, nausea and diarrhea episodes.

2.

Take Sips of Water
Vomiting and diarrhea will cause dehydration. Take small and frequent sips of water when you feel ready to drink. Start with a sip or two and see if you can hold the water down. Continue taking sips of water when you determine that you can hold it down. Doctors recommend 8-16 glasses of water per day to keep the body hydrated and avoid effects of dehydration.

3. Eat Bland Foods


You may feel hungry after the symptoms of food poisoning from chicken reduce. Eat bland foods such bananas, rice, soda crackers and toast and not pizza or ice cream. Eat the foods in small amounts and slowly to determine if your body can digest food. Avoid foods that are hard to digest such as fatty foods, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.

4. Take Intravenous Fluids
Consult a doctor if you experience severe symptoms of food poisoning and if you cannot hold any food and water down. The doctor may give you intravenous fluids to dehydrate you at the clinic or office. Intravenous foods contain salt and water that supplies nutrients to your body faster than water.

5. Antibiotic Medications


Doctors recommend antibiotic medications when bacteria in chicken cause food poisoning. Antibiotics kill the bacteria and prevent further infection. They are not prescribed for all cases of food poisoning from chicken. However, doctors recommend oral or intravenous antibiotics when food poisoning symptoms are severe. In addition, doctors prescribe antibiotics to pregnant women suffering from food poisoning to protect the unborn child from the infection.

How to Prevent It
You can prevent food poisoning from chicken in the following simple procedures:

• Wash your hands before and after handling poultry.


• Read and follow cooking instructions thoroughly.


• Defrost frozen chicken completely before preparing it.


• Ensure that you store chicken at the recommended temperature in the fridge.


• Use small containers to store leftover chicken in the fridge.


• Store cooked and raw chicken separately.

Food safety is important to prevent food poisoning. Ensure that you follow instructions given in handling food and practice good hygiene when you are handling, preparing and cooking all types of food.