Wellness With Dr. Rita

Food Poisoning

Millions of people around the world suffer from food poisoning each year. Sometimes called bacterial gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea, food poisoning is a common yet distressing disorder. Food poisoning is often recognized by abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Food poisoning appears suddenly, and often within 2-48 hours after the consumption of a contaminated food source. Typical contaminants include bacterial, viral or parasitic pathogens, as well as chemical or naturally occurring toxins. Depending on what is consumed, symptoms such as bloody stools, dehydration, fever, chills, nervous system damage and even death can occur.

In most cases, food can become tainted because of harmful bacterial growth. Bacteria that are hazardous to our health grow in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Foods can also become dangerous when they are handled improperly during preparation and storage. This includes the improper cleaning of utensils, storage and preparation areas; or problems with storing foods correctly. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing the hands thoroughly after using the restroom, can greatly reduce the risk of food contamination.

Recommendations

Drinks lots of fluids to replace the ones that are lost due to vomiting or diarrhea. If you are unable to get or keep fluids down, you may need to seek medical advice to avoid dehydration.

Avoid solid foods until any bouts of diarrhea have resolved themselves.

Warm heat, like from a hot water bottle, can help to relieve stomach spasms.

When preparing foods, wash your hands, any utensils, and the preparation surface thoroughly — especially before and after handling raw foods.

Serve hot foods right away or keep them heated above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t leave foods at room temperature for more than two hours.

If you have questions regarding the viability or safety of a food item, keep this motto in mind: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Don’t eat raw fish, fowl, beef or pork. Avoid foods such as sushi, raw oysters or salads made with raw eggs.

If you think you have food poisoning, eat some bread. Bread is believed to help soak up the poison.

Drinking barley or rice water can help to soothe stomach or intestinal inflammation.

Activated charcoal powder can also be used to absorb noxious substances from the stomach and digestive tract.

A folk remedy reported to be of value when dealing with food poisoning is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Barberry has traditionally been used to treat diarrhea, especially in cases of E. coli and V. cholera.

Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D., is a Naturopathic Physician, founder of the Institute Of Applied Energetics and host of Just Energy Radio. Author of the books Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4 and The Power Within, it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and professional clairvoyant that enlivens her work. Let Dr. Rita assist you bringing health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Listen to Dr. Rita on www.JustEnergyRadio.com and visit www.soulhealer.com
   

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