Food borne diseases-watch what you eat and drink

Food poisoning. We all know that symptoms of something that we eat that we should not, or not care. Some tips which we know are tried and true. For example you may have been told to stay away and be careful with potato salad buffets at restaurants or all inclusive resorts in a hotel. Similarly you may have been warned when traveling abroad outside of the United States and our modern municipal water and sanitation systems not to drink the water, so be careful of cubes in your drinks, ice cubes made from untreated water ice. Yet what is food poisoning and basic run food mill borne disease and illness

Food borne illness, as well as food borne diseases affect a myriad of sufferers is he at home in a local restaurant or outdoors travel vacation. This can happen in the diners club corner, can happen in fine restaurants, can happen in expensive cruises. Sometimes guilt is restaurant or food service or buffet. Sometimes it's really anyone's fault. Food poisoning can occur in the cleanest of establishments and food service operations, with the best systems for no reason at all. The real story is told of a local restaurant smaller Winnipeg (Manitoba) that was attacked and infested with a pathogen in some ordinary lettuce.

Health inspectors have done their work in monitoring reports of patrons who were affected with serious food borne illness. Was in force, that there had been no lack of cleanliness or food handling procedures in any way or shape what so ever. Even the word had gone out this plague that affected customers who ate this establishment. This local restaurant business was done to a trickle. Food inspectors still held no one blame anyway. It could have happened to any restaurant under its custody that were following cleaning procedures and procedures standards of Bristol.

The next day a photo of dining in restaurant inspectors along with an explanatory tale appeared on the front page of a major local newspaper. And behold, tons of old patrons of the restaurant and even non-patrons appeared in virtual scores on the weekend to save this restaurant of oblivion and extinction. It was a case of standing room only in the line up alone people who came to support the restorers.

Yet the history of food poisoning and food poisoning is not always a good and positive. Many people, who suffer food poisoning, don't realize that they are affected with. they can pass it simply as the "flu" or "stomach flu". At one time or another most of us probably had a food borne illness. We may not know what he was or opted to leave the flu and its symptoms to mount it. While it is true these symptoms of food borne diseases and food poisoning can be mild and simply disappear in a few hours or even several days. (The classical description of the standard 72-hour flu comes to mind). Still in other cases food diseases can result in hospitalization and even be fatal especially in young, the elderly and people with serious illnesses to begin with.

Which brings us to our summary of food borne illness and diseases and the dangers of food poisoning elsewhere See what you eat, especially when travelling. If you seem to have influenza-monitor your symptoms. If you are sick with other diseases or a number of serious illnesses, then pay attention. If your symptoms continue and not decrease immediately seek medical attention.

Food poisoning

In recent years natural homeopathic remedies and left the field of medicine in wacky became accepted by Western doctors. Natural remedies such as St. John's herb for relaxation, arnica Montana for bruises, common baking soda to upset stomach and cranberry juice for urinary tract infections are now commonly suggested by health professionals. A visit to your health food store can provide even more organic cures for what ails you, maybe even a natural remedy for food poisoning.

One of the most common diseases for all of us is some variety of food borne illness. This can come through improper or unsanitary food handling or storage methods of food poor. Other common sources of the disease include mushrooms and reef fish that may contain natural toxins and a variety of dairy products or food delicatessen. Another source is skin infections in the hands of those who are food handlers.

No matter the cause, we usually refer to as food poisoning. The symptoms are unmistakable: usually begins suddenly with abdominal cramps and a feeling of nausea, followed by diarrhea, vomiting and weakness. With the passing of time, the victim may experience dizziness and dehydration. In General, is a miserable experience.

Fortunately, there are more than a source of relief for food poisoning and the choice of natural cures is astounding. Some recommend a mixture of mint tea, Chamomile, raspberry and blackberry, and others say a half teaspoon of dried ginger powder mixed with a cup of buttermilk will do the trick. Experienced travelers swear tablets of activated carbon and Apple Cider vinegar. Neither is particularly tasty, but as natural remedies for food poisoning appear to be the most popular. Take heart, there is also a tablet of apple cider vinegar for those who cannot endure the bitter taste of the liquid. Another popular cure descended from Hawaii and is one that is a little more palatable: grate a papaya whole raw and boil the fruit in two liters of water for ten minutes. SIP this liquid regularly for the next twelve hours, finish it all before attempting to eat any solid foods. After a bout with food poisoning, it is wise to start with bland food such as soda crackers or bread and remember to drink plenty of clear liquids.

While food poisoning is usually treatable at home, if the sickness lasts more than 24 hours or the patient collects or loses consciousness, you might want to check with a doctor.

Food poisoning – you should consult a lawyer

Each year 76 million Americans are victims of food poisoning and other food borne diseases. About 30000 people become so seriously ill that they require hospitalization. Worse, food related diseases kill 5000 Americans per year. In most cases of food poisoning, the course of the disease is a period of acute pain and symptoms such as abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Vomiting and diarrhea are emergency measures body to get rid of the toxic agent. Sometimes the acute phase is a matter of a few hours, but it can continue for days, with increasingly severe symptoms. As the body toxic agent evacuates, symptoms subside gradually.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has become a victim of food poisoning, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, to determine the type and severity of their disease and the appropriate steps to take. Rapid medical evaluation and response can make the difference between an unpleasant episode and a fatal disease. The most vulnerable victims are young children, elderly, people with compromised immune system or with serious chronic illness.

Each disease, pain and suffering, food contamination and resulting diseases have considerable economic and social impact. In the United States, medical costs and lost productivity caused by food-borne illnesses cost more than $ 35 billion per year.

More than half of all food borne diseases, about 55%, a result of failure to follow standard practices for cooking and storing food. The other 24% is caused by neglect hygiene for food handlers, including failure to follow the rule more elementary food hygiene, complete of washing hands before handling food. Both of these causes, which cover nearly 80% of cases of food poisoning, reflect neglect and failure to adhere to industry standards.

Neglect is defined in law as conduct which falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others against reasonable risk of harm. In an action of negligence the plaintiff, or the injured party must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, that the defendant has failed to fulfil that duty, not the defendant in the duty of care caused injury to the applicant, and that the author actually was wounded.

If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed by food borne illness and have reason to believe was caused by negligence or failure to follow procedures for safe food handling, you can have a legal process. You'll want to discuss your situation with an attorney who is experienced in food borne illness cases. It is important to follow as soon as possible after his illness, while evidence is still available and access to witnesses and other parties involved is easier.

The selection of a lawyer of food borne illness to represent it is a very important decision. You or your family will want to speak with several lawyers, and how you interview the plaintiff lawyers and law firms you should ask about your experience in cases similar to yours. You want a firm whose food borne disease lawyers have significant experience with evaluation of food borne illness and sufficient assets to aggressively prosecute your case.

Food poisoning Staph

Staph food poisoning is a type of food-borne diseases caused by infection with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureau (s. aureus). Unfortunately, this type of condition is difficult to detect since, in some cases, can be presented toxins in foods that have no sign of contamination or deterioration. In addition, this type of disease could multiply and thrive in any condition, including refrigerated foods.

If you hire staph food poisoning by eating in a restaurant or other establishment audience, you may be able to bring the establishment the Court through an action for personal injuries. If the food was not handled properly or wasn't stored in temperatures correct negligence may have occurred. To learn more about staph food poisoning and your rights as a victim, contact a lawyer in your area immediately.

Some foods that are commonly associated with this specific type of infection include:
Meats such as poultry
Eggs
Salads made with mayonnaise, such as tuna, egg, chicken, potatoes and noodles
Bread with cream-toppings, such as eclairs and cream pies
Sandwich fillings
Several other products from milk and milk products

Symptoms of a poisoning staph infection include the following:
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pains
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Headache
Changes in blood pressure or heart rate

Because the consequences of this type of food poisoning are so severe, it is imperative that restaurants, cafeterias and other food establishments operating with a reasonable standard of care and provide products that are safe to consume. This includes making sure that the food is stored, handled and prepared correctly. When this is not done, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages incurred as a result of negligent behavior.

To speak with an attorney about your experience with food poisoning, visit the web site of lawyers personal injury Indianapolis law firm of Hankey, P.C. today.

Food poisoning-food borne illness, natural medicines, treatments, supplements and possible cures

If you are experiencing the following acute (severe or sharp) symptoms, chances are you're feeling the effects of a food poisoning or food borne illness:

Frequent vomiting lasting longer than 1 day (Adult only) Severe diarrhea - loose stool every 1 to 2 hours lasting longer than 2 days. (Adult only. Children would be less than a day) Severe Dehydration - dry mouth, very dizzy or lightheaded, fast heartbeat and breathing, very little or no urine, no tears, sunken eyes, very lightheaded or dizzy. Very severe, sudden abdominal pain. Possible botulism symptoms - headache, double vision, vertigo or dizziness, loss of reflex to light. weakness, droopy eyelids, constipation, dry mouth, muscle and respiratory paralysis.

Now, you are asking, or desperately looking for something to minimize, or even cure these horrific pains

Believe it or not, there are a number of pretty good, or at least partially good, natural remedies and treatments for alleviating food poisoning symptoms, pains etc.

The following list is based on my own research, experiences and is of course not a guarantee of anything, but are at least harmless for most normally healthy adults (allergies not included).

I grouped the remedies by general types and noted them in order based on what I believe are their effectiveness and ease of use. Also, I would not recommend mixing or trying more than one of these remedies at a time. Wait at least 1-2 or more hours before trying something else, with the exception of the re-hydrating options, which should be consumed as often as your system will allow.

Liquids

Since liquids are the quickest and easiest thing to take and generally have the quickest affective response to the symptoms, they should be tried first.

Re-Hydrating Options - not necessarily going to alleviate symptoms but are a necessary treatment for replacing loss fluids and electrolytes:

Water, water with electrolytes i.e. commercially prepared products such as Gatorade, fortified bottled water, light fruit juices such as apple juice or young coconut water; Broth or bouillon Popsicle and frozen juice bars may also help.

Teas - both to re-hydrate and to help settle a nauseated stomach:

Ginger tea and ginger extract taken with lemon juice are considered highly effective for controlling nausea; To sooth the digestive tract which has been recently ravaged, good mint tea is recommended, and tannin in tea will help neutralize the poison and all mint calms the stomach; Mint, raspberry, chamomile and blackberry herbal teas.

High Acidic Liquids - believed to help kill off harmful microorganisms and alleviate symptoms. Potentially these are most effective if taken straight or with very little dilution. In either case, drink or sip slowly and also it's recommended to rinse your mouth and teeth with water, or a baking soda water mix right afterwards. The high acid can over time destroy the enamel on your teeth.

Apple cider vinegar - 1 to 2 table spoons diluted with about 8 oz of water, or add more water for drinkability. If possible or tolerable, may be more effective to take the tablespoons straight. The most effective apple cider vinegar is supposedly unpasteurized, undistilled and unfiltered, if you can find it, otherwise try any commercial version you can find.

Soft Drinks, especially coke - provided you drink them flat, otherwise the carbonation can potentially cause further irritation of the stomach. To promptly remove carbonation, quickly pour the soda back and forth between two glasses a number of times. Then drink or sip gradually.

Grapefruit Seed Extract - 2 to 5 drops in a glass of water.

Lemon juice - I've seen different options but primarily take the juice of 2-4 lemons and either drink the juice straight or mix with warm water and sip.

Absorbents

Some form of charcoal or activated charcoal or carbon. Charcoal is natural and provides very good absorption or binding properties. It is used by emergency medical personnel for initial treatment for a variety of poisonings. It can be purchased as a capsule or powder over the counter. Follow the directions on the label. Another simple and quick option is to toast bread until it is brownish if not burnt.

Bread or Crackers. Bread or crackers can soak up poisons thereby possibly minimizing their effects.

Herbs and Natural Antibiotics

These remedies are known for there antibiotic, antiseptic and antioxidant properties:

Garlic - The quickest way to get it into your system is to cut up a small clove, (a half moon shaped piece of the garlic bulb), remove the skin or husk and swallow with water as if swallowing a pill. Other cooked forms should be just as effective. One quick way is to microwave it, (1-2 minutes depending on how much) remove the husk, and mash it to form a paste. Mix the paste with some honey or sugar, salt and spread on toast or bread.

Goldenseal Extract - a root that is related to the buttercup family of plants. Usually mixed with water. Follow directions on label.

Barberry - a shrub where the root, bark and berries have medicinal properties. Can be purchased as capsules, and fluid extracts. Again, follow directions on the label.

Papaya fruit - eaten raw or after boiled in water. Works to smooth digestion and control nausea.

There are a number of other herbs, plant seeds, roots, leaves etc. such as basil, ginseng, astragalus, ginger root, licorice, peony root, cumin, and fenugreek that have also been noted as having some minimal affects on food poisoning symptoms. As with anything new, consult and do your own research as to dosages, or follow directions on labels or advise from doctors or others in the know before trying more exotic remedies.

Other Measures to Take

Room temperature - avoid excessive heat or cold which may exacerbate symptoms such as nausea. Adjust your thermostat for maximum comfort.

Stress - you are already undergoing abnormal stress. You need to minimize all other work, or personal related stresses. Turn on smoothing music or have visitors that will help with pleasant, agreeable conversation.

Sleep - sleep allows your body to divert energy to the problem and to recover from the stress and energy needed to fight against the illness. Even after taking any of the above remedies that may help to alleviate the pain and symptoms, you won't feel close to fully recovered until after a good long sleep.

The Don'ts

Anti-diarrhea products - Do not use over the counter medicines such as Imodium or Lomtil. Diarrhea is actually your body's mechanism of flushing out toxic microorganisms. These medicines may hamper the body's ability to fight the infection. Only after consulting with and getting your doctor's approval or possible prescription should you take something like this.

Antacid products - Stay away from these products as well. As you see above, one common remedy to treat the symptoms of food poisoning is to provide more acid to your system to assist in killing off the pathogens. Antacid products will actually reduce your systems acid response and could provide a more favorable environment for bacteria to multiply, thereby prolonging and possibly worsening your symptoms.

Don't encourage or induce vomiting. At least for food poisoning related symptoms, this is not likely to help your symptoms. Your body already will recognize it has an infection or intoxication and will respond accordingly. See below to determine at what point you think you should see or call a doctor.

Avoid certain foods during initial recovery. During the first few hours to a day or so after the symptoms (i.e. diarrhea and vomiting) have stopped you digestive system will still be sensitive and weak. Stay away from heavy, high-fiber, acidic, spicy, greasy, sugary or dairy foods. Instead try simple light foods such as cereal, crackers, broth, or other light soups.

At What Point Should You See a Doctor or Go to the Emergency Room?

There are certain groups of people that should contact a doctor or go to emergency at the first signs of food poisoning. These include infants or small children, elderly, anyone suffering from a chronic illness or weakened immune system (for example, HIV/AIDS, cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, or has kidney disease). These groups of people have the greatest risk of experiencing the more serious effects of food poisoning including death.

If you don not fall into this category, but you are experiencing the following more severe symptoms, then you need to call or go see your doctor or get yourself to the emergency room immediately:

Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing Slurred speech, double vision or dizziness Muscle weakness or paralysis especially if occurring after eating mushrooms, canned food or shellfish Fever higher than 101degrees F along with abdominal symptoms Vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that lasts more than two days even if able to drink fluids Cannot take normal prescribed medications because of vomiting Obvious stomach or abdomen swelling Dark colored urine or complete stop in urination Extreme thirst, a dry mouth, and when you pinch the back of your hand, the skin stays pinched Skin and eyes turn yellow Persistent, localized abdominal pain Other family members or friends who ate the same thing are also sick Symptoms begin after recent foreign travel One or more joints swell or a rash breaks out on your skin

If you are unsure, do not take any chances and at least call your doctor. Food Borne illness severely sickens in the hundreds of thousands and kills thousands of people in the U.S. alone every year.