Complications after poisoning. Signs of food poisoning and prevention

Before the holidays, products are bought in a hurry, they are prepared for future use, and sometimes they are stored outside the refrigerator, because they simply forgot to put them there - it’s a holiday, after all ... And it’s just a pity, in the end, it becomes a pity to throw away treats that are not the first freshness, because so much work has been invested in them and money…

Only one has to pay for such "frugality" seriously: after eating stale delicacies, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the intestines and stomach appear - real food poisoning.

Types of food poisoning

Diseases are caused by microbes and their toxins - protein poisons found in foods. Their pathogens get into food products when sanitary and hygienic rules for the preparation and storage of food are violated, when contaminated water is used. When contaminated food is stored at room temperature, bacteria and toxins multiply actively.

Often, products contaminated with microbes do not differ in any way from benign ones in appearance, taste, or smell.

Of meat products, the greatest danger is minced meat products, which have a large surface for the reproduction of microbes.

You also need to be careful with chicken cutlets, since salmonella often live on bird skin, which, when cut, can get into the meat.

There are also widespread poisonings caused by staphylococcus toxins, which actively multiply at normal room temperature on products such as pates, smoked meats, cream cakes, vinaigrettes, dairy products and others. These products can be contaminated from patients suffering from staphylococcal pustular diseases, negligently admitted to the preparation or sale of such food.

Dysentery, salmonellosis, paratyphoid and typhoid fever, streptococcal and staphylococcal foodborne infections, and even cholera can be transmitted through food.

Food poisoning often results in dysbacteriosis and chronic intestinal infections.

Usually, cramping pain, rumbling and bloating in the abdomen occurs 1-2 hours after microbes and their toxins enter the stomach. Diarrhea and vomiting may occur (but are optional). Most often appear headache, chills, muscle aches and fever.

The most serious of food poisoning is botulism

Poisoning with it occurs a few hours or days after contaminated products. Botulinum bacillus spores reproduce only in an oxygen-free environment - in the deep layers of meat products, in canned food and in the intestines. To kill these bacteria, boiling is not enough, heating at temperatures above 120 degrees is necessary. The poison usually strikes nervous system.

In case of botulism poisoning, after the usual onset (abdominal pain and vomiting), after a few hours, vision is weakened, a grid appears before the eyes, fog. Speech and swallowing are impaired. Then paralysis of other muscles develops. All this can lead to death in the first five days.

At the slightest suspicion of botulism infection, immediately call ambulance to send it to the infectious diseases department. There they will introduce a special anti-botulinum serum, without which the chances of salvation are getting lower every hour.

First aid for food poisoning

If you suspect botulism, before the ambulance arrives, you need to do a gastric lavage with a weak soda or potassium permanganate solution, drink activated charcoal and plentiful hot drinks (milk, tea).

In case of ordinary food poisoning, the stomach should also be washed until clean water appears with a solution of pink potassium permanganate using artificial vomiting - drink 1.5-2 liters of potassium permanganate, followed by irritation of the root of the tongue. Take a laxative (30 ml of castor oil), or give a saline laxative (30 g of magnesium or sodium sulfate in 400 ml of water), as well as a plentiful alkaline drink for diarrhea to compensate for dehydration, activated charcoal.

After washing the stomach, you can attach a heating pad to your feet and drink hot tea. It is indicated for food poisoning taking sulfonamides (phthalazol, sulgin and others) or antibiotics (levomycitin and others).

Folk remedies for the treatment of food poisoning

  • Take activated charcoal every 15 minutes for an hour, 3-5 grams. Instead of coal, specially processed clay sold in powder can be taken as an absorbent.
  • Take 1-2 grams of vitamin C every hour for 3 hours.
  • Drinking a decoction of dill with honey. Dill is suitable in any form (fresh, dry, stems or ground seeds). One tablespoon of fresh dill, or 1 teaspoon of dry grass, or 0.5 teaspoon of ground seeds - pour a glass of boiled water, boil for 20 minutes over low heat, cool for fifteen minutes and add boiled water to the original volume. Then add 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink a decoction half an hour before meals for half a cup a day.
  • Marshmallow roots are an excellent remedy for food poisoning. One teaspoon of finely chopped roots is taken and poured with half a glass of boiled water, covered and infused for half an hour. Then it is filtered, honey is added to taste. Drink 1 tablespoon for adults, and children - 1 teaspoon, four times a day.
  • Tea made from marshmallow flowers and leaves also helps with food poisoning. It is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons of the mixture are poured with two glasses of boiling water and infused for 4 to 8 hours, then it is filtered, honey is added to taste. Take tea 3-4 times a day for half a cup 30 minutes before meals.
  • A good remedy is ginger tea. Pour a glass of boiling water one teaspoon of ground ginger, insist for 20 minutes, and take one tablespoon every half hour.
  • Pharmaceutical tinctures of Eleutherococcus, Astragalus and marine microalgae in powder or tablets also help to expel toxins from the body.
  • Drink as much liquid as possible if you have food poisoning. It could be water lemon juice, black or green tea, tea from the fruits of mountain ash and (or) rose hips. It is highly desirable to abstain from food during the day. You can limit yourself to decoctions of flaxseed or rice.
  • It is recommended for food poisoning not to lie down, but to walk, and the more the better. This is explained by the fact that a person, in addition to two kidneys, has a third, which is the skin. With intensive, and just walking, the body dumps poisons along with sweat, thereby cleansing itself.
  • Rubbing the body with a woolen cloth is also useful, as well as a shower to wash off the released poisoning products from the skin. Remarkable in such cases, a bath or sauna, perfectly expelling toxins.

Very often, food poisoning, even without the use of drugs, disappears in a few days.

But be sure to seek medical help if:

  • pain in the stomach and intestines accompanied by headache or dizziness, a rare pulse or shortness of breath;
  • symptoms of food poisoning last for a week and do not go away;
  • body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees;
  • keeps for 1-2 days severe vomiting, diarrhea, and the use of home remedies described above does not help;
  • the patient is a child or an elderly person.

In all of the above cases, it is necessary to call a doctor who will prescribe treatment.

Food poisoning prevention:

  • Always wash your hands before preparing food. Wash dishes with hot soapy water after cooking fish or meat in it.
  • Do not defrost meat at room temperature. Do this gradually in the refrigerator and cook immediately. You can defrost quickly in the microwave.
  • Avoid raw meat, fish, eggs, and raw pickled foods. Prepare these items carefully.
  • Food that looks spoiled smells bad, and do not eat food from swollen cans.
  • Never eat dairy products or cooked meats that have been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.

Poisoning is a disorder of the vital activity of the human body after toxic compounds from the environment enter the bloodstream. Symptoms of the pathology are varied, depending on the type of poison and the route of its penetration: through the skin, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract. In the absence of medical assistance, the consequences of poisoning develop, which can cause disability and even death of the victim.

Why poisoning occurs

It is impossible to predict how the body will react to a particular toxic substance. A lethal dose of ethyl alcohol for many people does not cause any harm to citizens with alcohol addiction. Or the sweetish aroma of Datura flowers can provoke severe intoxication in one person, and the other will feel only a slight headache.

Poisoning is extremely dangerous for young children and adolescents. Metabolic processes in their body proceed faster, and the vascular walls are characterized by increased permeability. This facilitates the penetration of toxic compounds into all organs and tissues.

Toxicologists classify poisons according to their degree of danger to humans and the severe consequences that develop after intoxication:

  • stale, expired or unsuitable foods for newborns and toddlers;
  • poisons of plant and animal origin;
  • household chemicals: washing powders, bleaches, disinfectants;
  • oil paints, varnishes, adhesives, solvents;
  • herbicides, insecticides, growth and maturation accelerators, fungicides;
  • alcoholic beverages, tobacco products;
  • pharmacological preparations.

The most severe consequences for humans occur after intoxication with caustic alkalis, acids, mercury, chlorine, arsenic, and potassium cyanide. The danger of poisoning lies in the short period of time from the penetration of the poison into the body until the heart stops completely.

Clinical picture of poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning depend on the hazard class of the toxic substance, the state of human health and the way endotoxins penetrate into the bloodstream. The most severe consequences of intoxication occur when the vapors are inhaled and ingested into the gastrointestinal tract. A lethal outcome is most often stated in acute poisoning with alcohol, narcotic substances, arsenic and potassium cyanide.

Food poisoning always occurs against the background of a violation of the digestive system. After 2-3 hours, the victim develops nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence and stomach pain.

The consequences and symptoms of each poisoning have their own distinctive features. But there are general signs indicating the penetration of poison into the human body:

  1. Hypothermia or a sharp increase in temperature, fever, chills.
  2. Sensation of an unpleasant taste in the mouth, increased salivation, belching with air.
  3. Pale skin, dry mucous membranes.
  4. Violation of urination, change in color and smell of urine.
  5. Swelling, burning, skin rashes, itching and redness.
  6. Decreased visual acuity, double vision, lack of reaction to light.
  7. Tremor of the upper and lower extremities, convulsions, epileptic seizures.

At acute poisoning with high concentrations of toxic substances, the victim falls into a deep coma. The blood supply to the brain is reduced, which provokes serious consequences for the body. A person has pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest.

Characteristics of the consequences of intoxication

It is sometimes extremely difficult to determine what kind of poison that caused the poisoning. The victim is in an unconscious state, and relatives are not aware of the events. Therefore, when providing assistance, doctors are guided by the symptoms that have arisen, making efforts to eliminate them.

As a rule, it is possible to establish the type of toxic compound in case of chronic poisoning. Long-term use often leads to poor health. pharmacological preparations. After conducting laboratory tests, the substance that provoked the poisoning is established.

The most severe consequences of intoxication include a decrease in the functional activity of the urinary, cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems of the human body.

Respiratory disorders

In acute forms of poisoning, the victims are almost always diagnosed with respiratory disorders. Such complications provoke ventilatory failure and aspiration. The effect of "sucking" develops against the background of a sharp decrease in pressure. The dangerous consequences for the human body include pulmonary edema of non-cardiogenic etiology.

Some time after poisoning, adults may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. The disease is characterized by the appearance of extensive swelling of the lung parenchyma, circulatory disorders, and a decrease in the content of molecular oxygen inside the bloodstream. Distress syndrome refers to inflammatory pathologies and often causes death.

Only timely detoxification therapy can save a person. In children, adolescents and adults, after poisoning with toxic compounds, there are consequences in the form of relapses of bronchospasm. This can cause the development of bronchial asthma or frequent off-season bronchitis.

Cardiovascular disorders

In case of poisoning with poisons of plant or animal origin, heavy metals, narcotic substances, cardiovascular complications appear. The consequences of intoxication are: bradycardia, tachycardia, arterial hypertension. Pathological conditions may disappear completely after recovery or take chronic form.

Sometimes the victim develops oxygen starvation of brain cells, a shift in blood pH to the acid side. The tone of smooth muscle decreases, which leads to arterial or renal hypotension. The dangerous consequences of intoxication include the likelihood of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Neurological disorders

A few hours after ingestion of toxic compounds, a person may experience epileptic seizures. In the medical literature, cases of the preservation of a convulsive syndrome in a victim for several months and even years have been described. This is due to a persistent violation of the blood supply to brain cells.

With intoxication, a change in the level of consciousness is diagnosed, which manifests itself in the form of arousal, visual and auditory hallucinations, and a depressive state. Often, after treatment for poisoning, the victim remains emotionally unstable. Depression is especially dangerous, the therapy of which takes months or years.

Many people are predisposed to the effects of intoxication. For example, in a person with low resistance to bacterial or viral infections increased risk of developing respiratory complications.

The consequences of food poisoning are often expressed in the acquisition of a tendency to develop allergic reactions. Products that were previously harmless to the body, after intoxication, cause redness or rashes on the skin. In severe cases, angioedema and anaphylactic shock are possible.

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Comprehensive treatment of food poisoning and its consequences

Food poisoning does not allow a frivolous attitude to oneself - incorrect or untimely treatment can lead to serious health consequences, and sometimes even death of the poisoned person. Treatment of poisoning requires an integrated approach, even after normalization of the patient's condition, the patient needs supervision and assistance from a doctor.


food poisoning

To get food poisoning, it is not necessary to feast on dubious chebureks from the station cafe - sometimes it is enough to eat a salad prepared by oneself, not put in the refrigerator on time, but looking quite fresh and appetizing. Bacteria in food at room temperature multiply at a tremendous rate, releasing dangerous toxins.

Any changes should be alert appearance product, foam on the surface of the liquid, sour smell. In case of doubt, it is better to refuse to eat suspicious food.

Pathogens can get into food along with contaminated water, dirty dishes, poorly washed hands. Also, the cause of poisoning is often the toxic substances contained in the products, for example, dyes, chemicals that were used to process fruits during storage. Harmless berries or mushrooms picked near a busy highway may turn out to be poisonous.

An integrated approach to the treatment of poisoning involves eliminating the cause of poisoning and alleviating the patient's condition by relieving the main symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Treatment of food poisoning at home is possible only in mild cases. If the patient's condition is significantly impaired (uncontrollable vomiting, fever above 38 degrees, severe pain in the abdomen), emergency medical care is needed. Vomiting and diarrhea are dangerous because they can cause dehydration - it is for this reason that food poisoning in young children can only be treated under the supervision of a doctor, since due to low body weight, dehydration in children develops in a matter of hours.

It is unacceptable to take drugs that stop vomiting and diarrhea - this will lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body and aggravate poisoning

High Season: Truths and Myths about Food Poisoning

But taking sorbents (activated carbon, polysorb, enterosgel) will help to quickly remove harmful substances. Plentiful drinking is also necessary, it should be boiled water or weak tea without sugar, but in no case milk, sour-milk drinks or fruit juices. You can dilute a bag of Regidron in water, this drug will help restore water-salt metabolism.

With severe pain in the abdomen, the doctor may prescribe antispasmodics. Antibiotics for food poisoning are not always necessary, and it is unacceptable to prescribe them to yourself.

Before the doctor's examination, it is better not to take any medicines at all, except for sorbents, otherwise clinical picture poisoning may be distorted. It is impossible to take a laxative and do enemas for poisoning!

The temperature in case of poisoning cannot be brought down with medicines - manifestations of general intoxication (headache, weakness, fever) will become weaker as toxins are removed from the body. The patient must be laid down and covered with a blanket if he is shivering, but it is not necessary to put a warm heating pad on the abdomen.

Even with the cessation of vomiting and diarrhea, the improvement of the general condition of the patient, it is too early to stop the fight against poisoning. Sorbents are required to be taken within 5-7 days if they were prescribed antibacterial drugs, the duration of the course of treatment will be determined by the doctor, and it is unacceptable to interrupt or cancel them on your own.

In the acute phase of poisoning, patients usually do not have time to eat, but even when the condition returns to normal, they will have to follow a diet for several days (and possibly weeks) and not forget about the drinking regime

In the first days after poisoning, it is better to limit yourself to dried white bread, sugar-free tea and oatmeal, then you can switch to other products, but all dishes should be steamed or boiled, while avoiding milk, sour-milk products, fresh fruits and vegetables, alcohol, coffee, sweets.

Home doctor: treatment for poisoning the body

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What are the consequences of poisoning?

Hello Friend! Today we will talk about what consequences can occur in case of poisoning.

Many people underestimate this condition, for which, as a result, you can sometimes pay with your own life, so it is very important to identify the symptoms in time and provide assistance.

If this is not done, then the consequences can be very devastating for your body.

This is what we will discuss. Let's start.

What are the main consequences of intoxication and their characteristics

Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine which species a poison belongs to. The injured person may be unconscious, and relatives are completely unaware of what is happening.

Therefore, first of all, doctors focus on the symptoms and make every effort to eliminate them.

As a rule, the toxin becomes possible to determine only in chronic poisoning. Most often, the use of drugs leads to a sharp deterioration in well-being.

Special laboratory tests are being carried out to establish the substance that caused this condition.

The most severe consequences of intoxication are a decrease in urinary activity, as well as disorders in the human cardiovascular and nervous systems. Of particular note are the following violations:

In this state, at acute form, almost all victims have a serious respiratory failure.

This condition provokes aspiration, the pressure drops sharply.

Another dangerous consequence is pulmonary edema.

After a short period of time, an adult may develop a distress syndrome - it has clear characteristics: swelling of the lungs, impaired blood circulation, and a decrease in oxygen in the bloodstream.

This condition is the main cause of death.

Only detoxification therapy can save the victim. In children and adolescents, due to poisoning with toxic compounds, it may appear bronchial asthma.

This most often occurs when poisoning with poisons that are of animal or vegetable origin. The consequences will be very cheerful: tachycardia, bradycardia and arterial hypertension. The worst thing is that they can then take a chronic form.

Also, a person sometimes develops oxygen starvation of brain cells, and the tone in smooth muscle muscles decreases. All this can end with a hemorrhage in the brain.

A few hours after the toxic compounds enter the body, seizures develop. There were even cases when convulsions persisted in a person for several years! This is due to a disruption in the blood supply to the brain cells.

There are also changes in consciousness, expressed in excessive excitement, visual hallucinations and depression. It often happens that after the end of treatment, a person remains emotionally unstable for some time.

How can this condition be identified?

It all depends on the following factors: how dangerous the poison is, what the state of human health is, and how the harmful substance entered the body. The most dangerous cases are penetration through vapors and the gastrointestinal tract.

Deaths are most often recorded in acute poisoning with alcohol, drugs and potassium cyanide. Each has its own distinctive features, but, nevertheless, there are some common features:

1. The temperature rises sharply, fever, chills begin;

2. The secretion of saliva sharply increases, an unpleasant aftertaste, belching appears in the mouth;

3. Kazha becomes pale, and the mucous membranes become dry;

4. Urination is disturbed, the color and smell of urine changes;

5. There is swelling and rashes on the skin;

6. Decreased vision, double vision, loss of reaction to light;

7. Seizures.

If the concentration of harmful substances was very high, then the victim can easily fall into a coma. The main reason for this is a decrease in the blood supply to the brain, which entails serious consequences. A person's heart can simply stop.

What are the main causes of the disease can be identified

It is very difficult to guess exactly how your body will react to a particular poison.

It can sometimes happen that the lethal dose of ethyl for the average person is not exactly the same for someone who is addicted to alcohol.

Or, for example, the smell of dope in one causes severe intoxication, and in the second, slight pains in the head.

Poisoning is especially dangerous for babies and adolescents, since the latter have not yet fully strengthened the body and have developed immunity, while the former is generally extremely weak, so it is more sensitive to it.

There are several main types of poisons that provoke these conditions:

Spoiled foods that are not intended for human consumption;

Poisons of animal and vegetable origin;

Household chemicals: washing powder, bleach, etc.;

Paints, varnishes and solvents;

Alcohol, tobacco;

Medicines.

The most severe conditions occur if this is due to alkalis and acids, because the time from the penetration of the poison into the body and the cardiac arrest is very short.

What do you want to say in the end? Of course, you don’t want to experience this even for your worst enemy, but, alas, no one is immune from this. Surely each of us, at least once in our lives, was poisoned by something.

First of all, follow preventive measures: Carefully choose products, look at the expiration date, rinse, hide household chemicals away from small children, etc.

Yes, you may say: “Yes, this is already known,” but believe me, it is better to follow these simple rules than to end up in a hospital bed later. That's all. Good health to you, and do not get sick. Visit regularly our useful resource. Good luck!

Best regards, Team NeTraviOrganism.RU

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Poisoning: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment, Consequences

What is poisoning?

A poison is any substance that harms the body. There are many types of poison, and some poisonous substances are often found in average houses and apartments. For example, medications taken contrary to recommendations can be harmful. Poison affects the body in several ways. It can be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Also, any poisoning can be accidental or planned.

Symptoms of poisoning

The result and degree of poisoning directly depend on the specific toxic substance, its quantity and type of exposure. The age, weight and health of the victim also play a role.

The most common symptoms of poisoning include:

  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • skin rashes
  • redness or sores around the mouth
  • dry mouth
  • salivation or foaming from the mouth
  • labored breathing
  • dilated (greater than normal) or constricted (smaller than normal) pupils
  • confusion
  • fainting
  • trembling or convulsions.

What are the causes of poisoning?

There are many substances that can harm the body and cause poisoning. Among those:

  • household and personal care products, such as nail polish remover and mouthwash, which are extremely dangerous for children
  • cleaning agents and solvents
  • paint thinners
  • pesticides and insect sprays
  • garden chemicals such as herbicides, fertilizers and fungicides
  • metals such as lead
  • mercury contained in thermometers and batteries
  • prescription and over-the-counter drugs taken against the instructions or in incompatible combinations
  • illegal drugs
  • carbon monoxide
  • spoiled food
  • some plant species such as poison ivy and poison oak
  • the venom of certain snakes and insects.

How is poisoning diagnosed?

Poisoning is diagnosed by a doctor. First of all, he will conduct an examination and get acquainted with the symptoms. Also, to determine the exact cause of poisoning, he may prescribe a series of tests. The vast majority of poisons leave a trace in the blood and urine, but sometimes a toxicological examination may be required, carried out by examining urine or saliva for the content of the most common drugs.

Can poisoning be prevented or avoided?

The best way To prevent poisoning is to avoid contact with dangerous substances. Here are just a few recommendations:

  • Keep all household chemicals out of the reach of children. Try to keep it, as well as medicines, in high, lockable cabinets. And it will never be superfluous to put locks in places where potentially hazardous substances are stored.
  • Wear protective gear and gloves when handling cleaning agents and other chemicals.
  • Never use pesticides, solvents or similar chemicals inside an enclosed space (house, garage). In each case, give preference to safe solutions, but if you decide to use them indoors, ensure thorough ventilation.
  • Do not mix chemicals as they sometimes become poisonous. A striking example- Ammonia (ammonia) and bleach, which together form a deadly gas.
  • store medicines and chemicals in original packaging.
  • Make sure the packaging of all medicines contain titles.
  • Dispose of expired drugs and household chemicals, only do it in accordance with the disposal regulations and the laws of a particular state.
  • Carefully read the instructions for each substance and follow it.
  • Regularly check the working condition of any equipment that runs on gasoline, gas or wood. Make sure ventilation is not impaired.
  • Never start your car inside the garage, except when you are driving out or into it.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home, and be sure to change the batteries regularly.

Treatment of poisoning

Treatment depends on the person's condition and the type of poisoning. In any case, try to remain as calm as possible. First of all, get rid of the source of poisoning, if possible. If it is a poisonous gas, move to fresh air as soon as possible. If the poison comes into contact with the surface of the skin, wash it off with water and remove clothing close to the point of contact. At the same time, if the poison is swallowed, do not try to induce vomiting, as this method is no longer recommended by experts.

If you yourself have been poisoned but are conscious, or are trying to help a poisoned person, call an ambulance or poison control center right away. Follow the operator's instructions, if any, and be prepared to provide the following information:

  • age and weight of the affected person
  • his home address
  • the type of poison the person has been exposed to
  • incident time
  • a list of allergies a person has.

In some cases, the ambulance team will be able to remove the toxic substance from the human body even before it causes irreparable damage. In addition, there are antidotes for certain types of poisons that neutralize their effect. In general, treatment also involves taking steps to manage symptoms.

Consequences of poisoning

The sooner you detect the symptoms of poisoning, the higher the chances of a successful outcome. However, the long-term effects of poisoning vary depending on the specific substance, amount, and type of exposure. Age, weight and general state health also play an important role. Short-term effects of poisoning may include skin rashes or mild discomfort. However, in particularly severe cases, exposure to poisons can lead to brain damage, coma, and death.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • If a child has swallowed something dangerous, is it necessary to provoke him to vomit?
  • Can I call the poison control center at any time if I have questions, or do operators only answer emergency calls?

20.10.2018

Food poisoning can occur if you eat low-quality foods or liquids in which microbes or toxins have multiplied. After a while, vomiting, nausea and liquid stool. The patient's condition depends on the amount of the product used, and its suitability.

Types of food poisoning are divided into: toxic and infectious. With toxic poisoning, infection occurs when chemicals, heavy metals, poisonous fungi and plants enter the human body. Infectious poisoning is very common, it is caused by various viruses and microbes, infection occurs through food: water, eggs, meat, poorly washed vegetables and fruits, sour-milk products, preservatives.

Indigestion can occur even through dirty hands.

At home, it is impossible to determine the exact outbreak of the disease, the patient only assumes why the poisoning occurred. People with weak immunity and small children are prone to food poisoning, so they monitor the food for the child with great responsibility and try to give only fresh food, thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits.

Causes of poisoning

Food poisoning can occur:

Often there is food poisoning from confectionery, especially spoiled cream; dairy products; long-stored salads with mayonnaise or sour cream; homemade canned food; mushrooms; seafood; fruits and vegetables treated with pesticides.

Signs of food poisoning

In case of poisoning, the symptoms begin within half an hour and continue to be expressed in an enhanced mode in the first two days. The phenomenon is dangerous for others, a group outbreak of the disease may occur in a team or family. If the symptoms of poisoning do not go away after a day, you need to seek help.

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

  • the temperature rises sharply;
  • lethargy and poor appetite;
  • dizziness, flies before the eyes;
  • bloating and pain in the abdomen;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • fever or chills;
  • low pressure;
  • frequent loose stools;
  • in severe cases - coma.

It should be noted that with mild poisoning, diarrhea may not be. But if loose stools appeared on the first day, then this is food poisoning, and if after a few days - a bacterial intestinal infection. Usually such symptoms accompany diseases such as: dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever.

With severe poisoning, dehydration of the body occurs, symptoms such as lethargy and weakness, dry mouth, dizziness and loose stools appear, sometimes the temperature may rise. Do not let the disease take its course, complications may occur due to improper assistance. With timely and proper treatment, improvement may occur on the second day, the main thing is to take appropriate measures in a timely manner.

Symptoms of severe poisoning

In confectionery products, staphylococcus is most often present, the infection does not affect the taste and color of food in any way, but after an hour such signs of poisoning may occur: nausea, vomiting, headache, loose stools, loss of consciousness. In case of fish poisoning, the following symptoms occur within half an hour: abdominal pain, gag reflex, impaired movement, shortness of breath.

In case of poisoning with dairy products, especially in summer, intoxication occurs within 30 minutes. Its first signs: colic, cramps and pain in the stomach, loose stools.

The most dangerous disease, meat poisoning, if medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner, a person can die. Symptoms: fever, chills, gag reflex, loose stools, respiratory failure, tachycardia. May appear heat, in this case it is necessary to give antipyretic drugs.

Mushroom poisoning is the most common and severe, intoxication occurs from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Signs: muscle pain, vomiting, loose stools with blood, worsening breathing, lethargy, lowering blood pressure, delusional state.

Alcohol poisoning occurs immediately, and have the following symptoms: vomiting, incoherent speech, weakness, cold sweat, fever or chills, loss of consciousness.

Poisoning with food additives is very common, symptoms may appear immediately or after a while - a rash, itching, swelling of the face or hands, feet; abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Poisoning with canned food has serious consequences and the following symptoms: headache, pain, dryness in oral cavity, thirst, fever, vomiting and loose stools.

When to see a doctor immediately:

  1. Mushroom poisoning;
  2. If, after eating, weakness occurs, the temperature rises, speech is disturbed, shortness of breath appears, the absence of a long time of urine;
  3. Bloody diarrhea for more than a day;
  4. A child under 3 years old or a baby has been poisoned;
  5. Signs of poisoning appeared in a pregnant woman;
  6. Poisoned by a person with cancer or HIV;
  7. Symptoms have occurred in several adults or children;
  8. There were signs of dehydration: dry lips, no urine, crying without tears;
  9. Sharply turned yellow eyes and skin;
  10. Swelling of the joints and rash all over the body.

First aid for intoxication

In case of minor poisoning, help can be provided at home, and in case of severe symptoms, it is imperative to call an ambulance. Particular attention should be paid to pregnant women and young children in case of intoxication, you should not self-medicate, it is better to show the doctor so as not to harm even more.

First of all, you need to rinse the stomach, that is, remove toxins and microbes. To do this, give water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate to drink, so that repeated vomiting occurs. Do a cleansing enema. This technique is suitable for an adult, and children should be given water, mineral water without gas, juice can be given after diluting it with water. To prevent rapid dehydration of the body, rehydron or saline should be given to drink from a spoon.

Adults after a gag reflex are given activated charcoal by diluting it with water. Drink in small sips to cleanse the body. The dose is calculated as follows: 1 tablet per 10 kilograms. To prevent dehydration, try to drink a lot of boiled water in small sips so as not to provoke vomiting.

In case of fainting or worsening of the patient's condition, immediately call an ambulance. Severe poisoning can affect internal organs such as the liver. The first symptoms are yellowness in the eyes, the presence of blood in vomit or loose stools. Do not self-medicate, do not take folk remedies, tinctures, tablets, determine the exact diagnosis and prescribe proper treatment only a specialist in this field can.

In the hospital, with the help of tests, they will be able to find out the cause of the poisoning: they will examine the blood, vomit and loose stools to find the causative agent of the disease. The products that the patient has eaten are identified and sent to special authorities for their verification. At the first sign of poisoning, contact medical care as there may be severe consequences. What type of intoxication can only be determined by a doctor, based on questions and a study of the symptoms of the disease. Such dangerous diseases as botulism and listeriosis can lead to the death of the patient. When poisoning with home canned food, there can be serious consequences.

diet after illness

After the patient's condition improves, it is not recommended to immediately lean on the usual food. You need to start drinking different compotes, weak black tea and water, eat cereals cooked in water, vegetable soups, boiled meat, fish and poultry, crackers. Doctors recommend cooking raisin compote, which contains a lot of potassium, so that the body will recover faster.

Fresh fruits and vegetables should not be consumed at first, it is better to boil or bake them in the oven. Such a diet should be followed within a week, after recovery, gradually returning to the previous diet. Eat food in moderation, in no case, do not overload the exhausted stomach in order to restore its microflora.

Prevention of poisoning

Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating and when preparing food. Especially in contact with meat and fish products. Do not eat raw eggs, fish, meat, cook until tender. Use separate cutting boards for meat products. Store dairy products in the refrigerator. Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating in running water, and then pour over with boiled water. Use foods with a fresh expiration date and store them properly.

Food poisoning is a name that combines acute digestive disorders caused by food and drinks of inadequate quality.

General symptoms

All food poisonings are characterized by the following symptoms:

  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • diarrhea;
  • general weakness, apathy;
  • loss of appetite;
  • pale skin (easy to determine by the color of the lips and face);
  • sharp pain in the epigastric region or abdomen;
  • increased sweating;
  • dehydration;
  • a slight increase in temperature (37.5–38.0).

Symptoms of food poisoning can appear both a couple of hours after eating, and the next day, depending on the type of poisons acting and individual characteristics. In young children, symptoms appear faster and are more pronounced than in adults. When the first symptoms of food poisoning appear, the patient's condition should not be ignored, but first aid should be urgently provided.

You can't do without a doctor's call if you have the following symptoms:

  • symptoms of intoxication do not go away within two or more hours;
  • body temperature is kept at around 39 and above;
  • there was a very sharp pain in the abdomen, severe cramps;
  • traces of blood in the stool or urine;
  • a skin rash appears on the body;
  • inflammation and pain in the joints;
  • the patient is in an unconscious state;
  • headache started;
  • the patient's stomach became hard to the touch, swollen;
  • the victim has difficulty swallowing, his breathing has increased;
  • you suspect berries or .

In particularly severe symptoms, increased salivation, impaired muscle tone, double vision, and decreased urine volume are likely.

Classification and features of food poisoning

While you are waiting for the doctor, try to find out the source of the toxins to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. In no case should the food that the victim consumed be thrown away - it must be transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Store a small amount in an airtight container.

There are two types of food poisoning.

Infectious poisonings are caused by viruses, microbes, protozoa, as well as the results of their vital activity that have been ingested with food. Such poisoning occurs due to non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards, violation of the rules for the preparation and storage of products. The concentration of microbes in food should be high enough (over 10 thousand units per gram of product).

Until the symptoms of food poisoning are clarified, the victim must be isolated from the rest of the family, providing him with separate cutlery and dishes. It is advisable to treat the items most frequently used in the house (for example, doorknobs) with a disinfectant.

  • Ignore symptoms and do nothing.
  • Treat the sick folk methods- decoctions of herbs, tinctures.
  • Give the victim antibiotics and other medicines without consulting a doctor.
  • Drinking alcohol.

Possible consequences

The consequences of food poisoning depend on several factors: the type of toxic substances, the severity, the time of treatment.

Women are especially dangerous. Some types of microbes are able to penetrate the placental barrier and harm the fetus.

Food poisoning can cause disease.

Dysentery (pathogen - Shigella bacterium) - severe intoxication, characterized by inflammation of the intestine and can cause it to rupture;

Salmonellosis (causative agent - salmonella) - affects the gastrointestinal tract, further causes chronic renal failure;

Escherichoz - disrupts the digestive tract, leads to the development of acute enterocolitis and enteritis;

- one of the most dangerous types of intoxication, can cause irreversible pathologies of the nervous system, and even death.

Non-infectious food poisoning is no less dangerous and can worsen the functioning of all body systems. Thus, it destroys liver cells and leads to toxic hepatitis, acute kidney failure. The least of the possible evils is dysbacteriosis, which is eliminated by the appointment of an appropriate diet. Full recovery from any food intoxication should be under medical supervision.

10 rules of prevention

To avoid food poisoning, try to adhere to preventive measures:

  1. Be conscious of where you buy your products. You should not buy them in spontaneous markets, in subway crossings, stalls. This is especially true for meat, fish, milk and other perishable ingredients.
  2. Check expiration dates before buying. Often dishonest sellers forge labels. If in doubt, ask for confirmation (consignment note) or choose another store.
  3. Do not buy alcohol without a license.
  4. Avoid the so-called. "dangerous foods" - forest mushrooms, if you are unsure of their quality, raw eggs, perishable and fatty foods in the summer heat. Stick to the right diet.
  5. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
  6. Keep cutting boards, knives, and utensils clean, especially after handling raw meat. Change the kitchen towel regularly and exterminate insects in the house.
  7. Store cooked meals in the refrigerator for no more than three days, and if an unpleasant odor appears, throw it away. Even prolonged heat treatment is not able to destroy all types of pathogenic microorganisms.
  8. Always filter and boil your drinking water.
  9. Keep an eye on the integrity of the cookware - scratched enamel or non-stick coating can supplement your diet with heavy metals.
  10. Observe the rules of personal hygiene and teach them to all family members, regardless of age.

Human physiology is such that for normal life we ​​need food. Once inside the body, it turns into elements that give us everything we need for a full life. Unfortunately, food does not always contain only useful substances, cases of accidental ingestion of harmful and dangerous microorganisms and chemical elements.

Most often, poisoning occurs at festive feasts and during the summer heat. During this period, food deteriorates quickly, often even a refrigerator cannot provide long-term storage. All these factors provide fertile ground for the rapid reproduction of microbes. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, they get ideal conditions for their life and are happy to settle down here. Here they actively release toxins which, getting into the blood, cause poisoning of the whole organism.

The person begins to feel general weakness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea begin, the head hurts and the temperature may rise, pain often occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. The greater the damage by toxins, the stronger the manifestation of poisoning.

Most often, staphylococcal bacteria are affected; room temperature is enough for them to actively reproduce. Through food, pathogens of dysentery, typhoid, streptococci and enter our body.

After suffering poisoning, dysbacteriosis, indigestion and chronic intestinal infections often occur. According to recent studies, food poisoning makes itself felt throughout life. They can cause diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and kidney failure. Toxins produced by bacteria primarily damage the kidneys. Salmonella is often one of the causes of arthritis. Experts warn that poisoning should be taken more closely.

Food poisoning especially affects children, the elderly, and those who already have digestive tract diseases. The first symptoms of food poisoning will appear approximately 2 to 4 hours after a meal contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. With the manifestation of poisoning, it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence, further treatment will depend on this.

The most severe condition is botulism. Infection with it occurs through the consumption of meat and canned food in which these bacteria were located. Moreover, for their destruction, boiling these products is not enough, bacteria can die at a temperature of more than 120 degrees. Botulism affects the nervous system, weakens vision, swallowing, and paralysis of various muscles can occur. If in such a patient everything is left to chance, a fatal outcome may occur in a few days.

The first thing to do with symptoms of food poisoning is to induce vomiting and gastric lavage. For washing, the patient should drink liquids as much as possible in the form of plain non-carbonated water, a weak solution of baking soda or permanganate. Remember that 10 - 12 hours after poisoning, the patient's condition may worsen, as the most active action of toxins will begin.

At the first sign of illness, call an ambulance, and in a hospital, apply possible methods of treatment.