Curing the Ails of Summer
(Page 3 of 7)
June/July 1994
Mother Earth News Editors
When you find yourself infected with bacteria or a virus that causes food poisoning, you may simply have to be miserable for a short time, until your system responds and fights off the infection. But as bad as that spell may be, there are some things that you can do to coddle your innards while you wait for the misery to pass.
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Drink water
"You are losing liquids quickly when you have food poisoning. Therefore, it is extremely important to replenish your system," says Joseph Madden, Ph.D., of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C. "Start with a few sips of water. Then start drinking fluids containing sugar, because they are better absorbed." Try clear fruit juices. If vomiting is a problem, wait several hours before taking in liquids.
Slurp on a sports drink
Drinks like Gatorade contain electrolytes, which are essential elements, such as potassium and sodium, that influence the way water is distributed throughout your body. "When you're vomiting or having diarrhea, these elements get lost along with liquid during dehydration," says Dr. Madden. "The sports drinks help replenish these necessary elements as well as rehydrate your body with water." Rehydration is more important than replacement of electrolytes, so sports drinks can be diluted 50:50 with water.
Forget the over-the-counter drugs
If you feel the urge to reach for an antacid, stop yourself. They don't really help. If you're suffering from traveler's diarrhea, however, Pepto Bismol will relieve symptoms until you feel better.
Ease into a bland diet
"Most of the time, food poisoning problems tend to resolve themselves without needing intervention," says Dr. Madden. Once your body's immune system takes over, you'll be feeling better soon. Just rest, drink fluids and, when you feel a little better, start to establish a diet.
When you feel ready to begin eating, a bland diet is recommended. This means eating easily digestible foods such as cereal, pudding or chicken soup. Be sure to avoid foods that are fried, smoked or salty as well as raw vegetables, pastries, candies, alcohol, spices and condiments.
When to see the doctor
Most cases of food poisoning don't require medical attention. However, if you have any of the following warning signs, which could signal a more significant problem, it's wise to see your doctor:
- Prolonged inability to hold down fluids
- High fever
- Steadily worsening abdominal cramp
- Bloody diarrhea
- Prolonged symptoms that don't improve after 24 to 48 hours
Be a bacteria-banishing cook
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F.
- It's best to throw out fish, meat or poultry that has been in the refrigerator for more than four days.
- To keep juices from dripping on other foods stored in the refrigerator, put a plate under raw meat, poultry and fish.
- When storing leftovers, divide them into small containers for quick cooling.
- Make sure leftovers are thoroughly reheated. "Leftovers need to be heated to a temperature as hot as, or even hotter, than they were originally cooked at," says Dr. Madden. "This is the best way to kill the bacteria that may have multiplied since the food was first cooked."
- Any food being prepared in the microwave should be rotated for even cooking. Also, bacteria grow very quickly when food is thawed on a countertop. Scrub counters with warm, soapy water and bleach. Use a plastic, not wooden, cutting board if possible.
- Towels, sponges, and cloths are full of bacteria. Wash or replace them often.
- Scrub vegetables before you use them. Harmful bacteria are sometimes found in the soil where root vegetables have grown.
- If you suspect that you may have food poisoning, avoid kitchen duty. "Even if a person has a mild case of food poisoning, preparing food can contaminate an entire household," explains Judith Alsop, Pharm.D., coordinator for the Poison Control Center in Sacramento, California.
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