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What is the difference between food poisoning and gastro? An intestinal expert explains
Jun
If you have a suspicious stomach, diarrhea and vomiting, it is uncomplicated to blame “abdominal error” or “out of food”.
But what is it? Gastro poisoning or food poisoning?
What is the difference?
What is gastritis and intestinal inflammation?
Gastritis and gastro are in brief intestinal infection caused by virus, bacterium or other microorganism.
The intestine abounds in cells, including hearty microorganisms and intestinal lining cells. But when viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms begin to attack the intestine, colonize, accumulate in a enormous number and ultimately cause that the cells lining the intestine. “Inflammation” at the end of gastritis and intestinal inflammation means inflammation.
Gastritis and intestinal inflammation is extremely common. In Australia it is estimates 17.2 million cases year.
So where do these gastro microorganisms come from? Eating contaminated food is often a source.
However, you can get these microorganisms in other ways. For example, if you affect the surface on which someone from viral gastritis and intestines has vomited, this virus can move to you. And if your hands have touched your mouth, you can contain viral gastrointestinal inflammation.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning It refers to developing food contaminated with chemicals, microorganisms or toxins.
For example, if you ate food contaminated with insecticides or methyl alcohol (methanol), which counts as food poisoning. If you ate Puffer fish or poisonous mushrooms that would also count. But food poisoning does not include the effects of food food you are allergic to.
The enormous majority of food poisoning is the result of food contaminated with microorganisms and their toxins. When you eat or drink, it’s like a rocket hit. In particular, toxins can quickly cause inflammation and damage the lining of the intestines.
To add to the confusion, food poisoning is often referred to as Gastrointestinitis transmitted by food.
Food poisoning (or gastrointestinal inflammation transmitted by food) is also common in Australia. Is responsible for about a third of all cases of gastritis and intestinal or estimated 5.4 million cases Every year.
How can we tell two people?
Both gastrointestinal inflammation and food poisoning have symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever and headaches. But these symptoms may appear in different ways.
Viral gastritis norovirusIt usually causes symptoms 24-48 hours after the exhibition, which can last from one to two days.
But food poisoning after eating microorganisms can appear very quickly. For example, bacterial toxins Staphylococcus aureus It can cause symptoms within 30 minutes of eating contaminated food, such as undercooked meat. Fortunately, symptoms usually become better within 24 hours.
Symptoms do not always appear so quickly in all cases of bacterial food poisoning. For example, it may take so long 70 days Between the exposure to Listeria And the symptoms occurring, although on average about three weeks. This long hatching period it may make it challenging to exercise if special food He is responsible for someone getting unwell.
As a general guide, food poisoning occurs quite quickly (within a few hours of eating contaminated food), while gastritis and intestinal inflammation may take the day or longer after eating to get unwell. But there is no challenging and rapid rule.
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How to prevent them?
The same precautions when handling food relate to the prevention of both gastrointestinal inflammation and food poisoning. These steps not only reduce the risk of touching, but reduce the risk of infection of others.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food. Employ separate chopping boards and accessories for raw and cooked dishes to support Avoid cross pollution. Cook the food thoroughly and store them at sheltered temperatures.
Gastrointestinal inflammation may include the transmission of microorganisms using agents other than food, for example by pile to your hands, if you do not wash your hands after using the toilet or after changing the baby’s diaper. So wash your hands later.
To prevent others from getting unwell, make sure you quickly disinfected contaminated surfaces after someone is vomiting or has diarrhea. First put on gloves and wash the surfaces with hot water and detergent. Then disinfect using a household bleach containing 0.1% of hypochlorite.
How can I improve?
Treatment of both gastrointestinal inflammation and food poisoning focuses on preventing dehydration and relieving symptoms.
To avoid dehydration, drink a lot of liquids. In the case of moderate or severe cases, you can buy a commercial oral hydration solution from the pharmacy.
You can also Create your own oral hydration solution Adding 6 teaspoons of sugar, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate to a liter of water. You can splash in a cordial taste.
If the symptoms are bulky or persist, you should see your general doctor or go to the emergency department.
Read more: Do you have gastro? This is why eating bananas helps, but drinking flat lemonade may not
