{"id":659,"date":"2017-10-05T06:19:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-05T06:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=659"},"modified":"2021-07-12T15:18:16","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T15:18:16","slug":"15-common-symptoms-food-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/15-common-symptoms-food-poisoning\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Symptoms of Food Poisoning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"You ordered your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant, and you thoroughly enjoyed every single bite of it. Your feeling rather satisfied\u2026 until a few hours later. You start feeling a little off and can\u2019t help but wonder you have been hit with food poisoning.<\/p>\n

Foodborne illness, better known as food poisoning, occurs when you eat food that has been contaminated with bacteria or viruses or has spoiled and become infested with parasites.<\/p>\n

The most common bacteria that affect foods include Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, with salmonella being the biggest culprit. Toxoplasma is the most common parasite to contaminate food. Norovirus and Hepatitis A are two viruses that can infect food. These pathogens can be found on most foods, but thorough heating usually kills them. Food that is consumed raw or is undercooked can still be contaminated, hence a person can contract food poisoning. However, food that is fully cooked can also become contaminated if it comes into contact with a pathogen after being prepared; fecal matter, for example.<\/p>\n

Food poisoning can be associated with a variety of symptoms. If you\u2019re feeling ill after eating, here\u2019s a look at 15 symptoms that could indicate you are suffering from food poisoning.<\/p>\n

1. Nausea<\/h3>\n

Hands down, one of the most common symptoms of food poisoning is nausea<\/a>. It is also the most significant symptom. If you have contracted a foodborne illness, you will likely develop intense nausea. At first, your stomach will start to feel slightly queasy, but as the pathogen moves throughout your system, nausea will intensify. You might notice your stomach making rumbling sounds, too. Nausea can, of course, be a symptom of several illnesses, such as a general stomach bug. However, if you notice that the queasiness is getting worse as time progresses and becomes virtually debilitating, there\u2019s a good chance it could be food poisoning.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Vomiting<\/h3>\n

Naturally, when you are nauseous, you will feel as if you want to throw up. As nausea becomes more intense, you will eventually end up vomiting<\/a>. Why? \u2013 Because your body is reacting to the bacterium that has infected it, and in the case of food poisoning, that bacterium lies in your gut.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to drive it out, your body will attempt to purge itself, which means you will end up vomiting. The vomiting can become intense and all-encompassing. Make sure you stay hydrated, as your body will lose valuable electrolytes.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Stomach cramping<\/h3>\n

When you are experiencing nausea<\/a> and are actually vomiting, you are certainly going to experience stomach cramps. This cramping is caused by the contraction of the muscles in your stomach. As your body tries to purge itself, the muscles in the stomach naturally contract.<\/p>\n

At first, these cramps may feel mildly uncomfortable, but within a few hours, it can become severe. It is not unusual to experience intense spasms in the stomach, which only add to your upset stomach and can be downright debilitating.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Loose stools<\/h3>\n

Another very common symptom associated with food poisoning is diarrhea<\/a>. It happens for the same reason that vomiting does. Your body is trying to expel the infection in the gut, and in order to do so, it will evacuate the bowels. In the beginning stages of food poisoning, your bowels will become noticeably loose, but as it progresses, they will be extremely watery.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also likely have the urge to use the bathroom repeatedly and could experience pain when you do go. Though it isn\u2019t pleasant, diarrhea is one of the most effective ways the body can rid itself of harmful substances, like the pathogens that cause food poisoning.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Fatigue<\/h3>\n

Though it isn\u2019t one of the top symptoms, it is not unusual to experience fatigue<\/a> when you contract a bout of food poisoning. Your body is in overdrive trying to rid itself of the bacterium that has invaded it. Add to that the fact that vomiting and diarrhea exert a lot of energy and fatigue is only natural.<\/p>\n

Because your body is putting so much into fighting the illness, you will have little energy left to do anything else. Take advantage of this symptom and sleep as much as you can, if possible. Doing so will help strengthen your immune system, which will make it easier for you to fight off the infection.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"6. A fever<\/h3>\n

As with any infection, you can develop a fever<\/a> when you have food poisoning. A fever is another way the body is trying to rid itself of the bacterium that has entered your system. By raising its temperature, the body becomes less habitable for the bacterium.<\/p>\n

Generally, a fever is nothing to worry about. It\u2019s actually a good sign because it means your system is trying to combat the infection. However, keep track of your temperature; if it goes above 103\u00b0 F, or if it lasts for several days, it is a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Aches and pains<\/h3>\n

If you have contracted food poisoning, don\u2019t be surprised if you start to feel aches and pains in your muscles. This is just another sign that your body is working hard to rid itself of the invading bacterium. Muscle aches and pains can also be the result of dehydration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever all deplete fluid levels, which means your muscles won\u2019t have access to the fluids that they need. Increasing your fluid intake could help with this symptom, as could over-the-counter pain relievers.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Loss of appetite<\/h3>\n

When you feel intensely sick to your stomach and are profusely vomiting<\/a>, the last thing you are going to want to do is to eat. This is especially true with food poisoning, as eating is what caused you to feel so sick in the first place. In fact, many people who develop food poisoning develop an aversion to the food they last ate, as they associate with feeling sick.<\/p>\n

Even if it was your favorite food in the entire world, if you got food poisoning from it, there\u2019s a good chance you may have a hard time eating it again in the future; at least for a little while.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Sweating<\/h3>\n

In addition to fever, you might also experience increased sweating<\/a>. This is totally natural, as your body is responding to its heightened temperature. Add to that the fact that you will be exerting so much physical energy into vomiting and passing loose, watery stools, and it\u2019s no wonder that sweating is a symptom that is commonly associated with food poisoning.<\/p>\n

The sweating can become severe; you might notice beads of sweat dripping down your face, around your brow, or anywhere else you tend to sweat a lot.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. The chills<\/h3>\n

It might seem odd, especially if you have a fever and you are sweating; however, the chills<\/a> are a pretty common symptom of food poisoning. That\u2019s because your body is trying to cool itself off, and in order to do so, you will develop the chills. You could end up shivering, despite the sweat and high temperature.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also not uncommon to feel clammy to the touch; your hands, for example, might feel damp, but cold. If you do develop the chills, you could try bundling yourself up. If you find that uncomfortable, give a warm shower a try (not too warm, though; you don\u2019t want to increase your temperature.)<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Difficulty swallowing<\/h3>\n

Though it is quite rare, difficulty swallowing could also be a sign of food poisoning. Believe it or not, your throat can become sore and inflamed, which could be the result of excessive vomiting. All of that stomach acid pushing through your throat could make your throat and tonsils<\/a> swell and make them sore.<\/p>\n

In addition to having trouble swallowing, you might also develop dry mouth. This is also caused by the excessive vomiting that occurs with food poisoning, as well as dehydration.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. A headache<\/h3>\n

You could also experience a headache<\/a> when you are infected with food poisoning. The constant vomiting will put pressure on various parts of your body, including your brain, which could result in a headache. Food poisoning, as mentioned, can also cause dehydration, and a headache is a symptom of dehydration.<\/p>\n

The pain may be mild at first, but it can eventually become severe. An over-the-counter pain reliever could ease the discomfort, but that nagging headache won\u2019t fully go away until the illness passes.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Weakness<\/h3>\n

Since your body is working so hard to fight the pathogen that has infected it, it is not unusual to feel weak when you develop food poisoning. Your body is concentrating so much on getting the infection out of you, so your energy levels could be completely zapped.<\/p>\n

Plus, if you are vomiting excessively and having frequent bouts of diarrhea<\/a>, you will be using a tremendous amount of energy. Throw dehydration into the mix and you could end up feeling completely weak.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Blood in the stool<\/h3>\n

It might be alarming, but it\u2019s not unusual to develop blood in the stool when you have food poisoning. In fact, it can be a pretty common symptom associated with foodborne illness. Since you are using the bathroom so frequently, and the passing of stools can become rather violent, it is not unusual to burst blood vessels in the rectal area.<\/p>\n

When you use the bathroom, these broke blood vessels<\/a> will vacate your body via the stool. Of course, this means that your stool will be tinged a different color. It could be black, or it might have streaks of blood throughout it.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Dizziness<\/h3>\n

Yet another common symptom of food poisoning is dizziness<\/a>. This can happen as a result of dehydration. The less hydration your body has, the more your brain is going to be affected. When this happens, you could be hit with a case of vertigo, in addition to all of the other ailments you are already experiencing. While normally, this isn\u2019t a cause for concern, should your dizziness become intense and make it difficult to stand or walk, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms and you suspect that you have been exposed to questionable food, chances are that you have come down with a case of food poisoning.<\/p>\n\r\n

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