A foodborne illness occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes irritated or infected as a result of harmful chemicals, viruses, parasites, or bacteria found in beverages or food. Usually, these illnesses are acute, which means they appear very rapidly after consuming the harmful substance, and they don't last long. Generally speaking, people do not require treatment and recover by themselves. However, it is possible for people to develop complications as well. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 48 million people experience such an illness every year. Around 3,000 people die as a result of complications.
It should be pointed out that before looking at the best home treatment options to help manage foodborne illnesses, it is better to understand what they are. In gaining this understanding, you will also be better able to prevent the illness in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure!
Who Can Get Foodborne Illnesses?
A foodborne illness can happen to anyone, but some people are at an increased risk, such as:
– Children and infants
– Pregnant women and their unborn babies
– The elderly
– Those with a weakened immune system
If a foodborne illness occurs in one of these four groups of people, the likelihood of complications is also increased.
It is equally important to be aware of the symptoms, so that the right treatment can be sought as soon as possible. Common symptoms include:
– Chills
– Fever
– Abdominal pain
– (Bloody) diarrhea
– Vomiting
Let us now take a look at some of the best home treatment options to help manage foodborne illnesses:
1. Ensure that lost electrolytes and fluids are replaced. If this is not done, you may become dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water is important, but it is best to also use over the counter remedies, such as Pepto-Bismol (to stop diarrhea) or Imodium (to replenish electrolytes). However, some over the counter remedies can make an infection of parasites or bacteria worse, so it is best to avoid them unless you are very sure what has caused the illness.
2. The most important thing is to get your nutrition right so that you avoid dehydration and support your body to rid itself of the harmful substance. As such:
– You must make sure you drink enough, such as broths, soft drinks (no caffeine as this dehydrates), sports drinks, fruit juices, and water.
– You should try sucking on ice chips or sipping small amounts of water if you continue to vomit.
3. You should reintroduce food into your system slowly, starting with easy to digest, bland foods. Bananas, applesauce, lean meat, cereal, bread, toast, potatoes, and rice are all good options.
You should avoid alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, sugary foods, and fatty foods until you have completely recovered.
4. If the foodborne illness occurs in infants or young children, there is more cause for concern, because they can become dehydrated more easily. Hence, it is vital to provide them with:
– Products, such as CeraLyte, to avoid dehydration.
– Food as soon as they want to eat.
– Full strength formula or breast milk if they are infants.
After providing some of the best home treatment options to help manage foodborne illnesses, don’t forget to contact a physician if some of the symptoms persist.