Food poisoning, also known as acute gastroenteritis, is an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small bowel. It is caused in various ways, one of which is excessive indulgence in alcohol. Viruses may also produce a similar condition known as virus enteritis. Some people are allergic to certain items of food, which though wholesome to others, may act as poison to them. Others react poorly to various drugs, cathartics, and chemical added by mistake to foods. Shellfish poisoning is common in certain parts of the world.

Food poisoning usually begins suddenly with a feeling of nausea and abdominal cramps, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Rectal burning may be intense, and the stools may contain blood and mucus. All of this loss of liquid and shock and the condition of fluid from the bowel may result in severe acidosis may develop. There is pain in the abdomen, some distention, especially in the lower areas.

The worst attacks of food poisoning today are caused by germs. Foods used at picnics, in restaurants, and at home are easily contaminated by poisonous substances produce by staphyloccus germs. Foods most often involved are various meat, fishy, pastes, custards, cream-filled pastry, milk, and many different kinds of desserts. In some areas this is the most common type of food poisoning. The trouble seems to arise from skin infections on the hands of those who handle food, or perhaps by coughing.

Within two to four hours taking after taking this type of contaminated food, the patient suffers from severe abdominal cramps, followed by by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often resulting in severe prostration and shock. Most of the attacks last only a few hours and are followed by complete recovery. In this condition there are usually a number of different people involved, all of whom have eaten the same food at the same time.

Fish and shell-fish poisoning.

Severe poisoning is caused by many different fish, most of which are known in the various localities where they occur. Usually there is numbness, tingling in the limbs, followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Food Poisoning Treatment:

Keep the patient in bed. Give nothing by mouth as long as the nausea and vomiting persist. He may go to the bathroom or use the bedpan. As the the vomiting subsides, give sips of some warm drink, such as tea, barely, or rice water. If the vomiting is severe and persistent, transfer the patient to hospital where he can received intravenous therapy. For severe food poisoning, always call the doctor.

Gentle heat to the abdomen may help to relieve any spasm or pain and also any tendency to vomiting. Later the patient may take bland cereals and other soft foods. Diarrhea can usually be controlled by taking a tablespoon of Kaopectate every hour. If this is not effective, try a teaspoonful of paregoric every two to three hours as needed. In some areas the paregoric may have be prescribed by a physician.