How to Identify the Cause of Food Poisoning

Accurately identifying the cause of your food poisoning is very important so that you can prevent another unfortunate case of food poisoning from happening to you again. Sometimes the symptoms of food poisoning are more mild like a stomach ache, intestinal soreness, or runny stool. While other times, food poisoning can be more severe including severe fever, vomiting blood, dizziness, and severe abdominal cramps. Food poisoning symptoms can begin immediately as late as 3 days after eating the contaminated food. The symptoms can persist for up to 10 days in severe cases.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notepad
• Pen
• Pencil

1. Pull out a notepad, piece of paper, or index card to write down the foods and meals that you have eaten and to keep a journal of your symptoms.

2. 
    
   Write Down the Times for Food Poisoning Symptoms and Changes in Your Symptoms

   Write down the approximate time the symptoms began and the current symptoms you are experiencing. Typical symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, cramping, headache, and fever.

3. Write down all the foods and meals that you have eaten in the last 24 hours. Look over your list for any new foods, unusual foods for your diet, or foods that were recently purchased or eaten at a restaurant. Sometimes you can identify the cause for your food poisoning at this step.

4. Write down any symptom changes and the times. This will help you determine if your food poisoning is progressing towards healing or getting more intense.

5. 
    
   Examine Recently Eaten Foods, Herbs, and Medications to Identify the Cause of Food Poisoning

   Write down any medications, over the counter medications, or home remedies that you have taken. Sometimes medications conflict with certain foods, while other times food poisoning symptoms can be brought on by medications or home remedies that do not agree with your system.

6. Write down a short food history for the previous 3 days-some food poisoning attacks can be from a food eaten in the previous 3 day period.

7. Circle or highlight any items on your list that may stand out as a possible culprit. These items can include new foods, new herbs, new medications, foods eaten at restaurants, or leftovers that might have been too old or stored improperly.

8. 
    
   Bring Your Food Journal and Food Poisoning Symptom Notes to Your Doctor

   Take your food journal and list of potential causes for food poisoning to your medication practitioner if you find that your food poisoning attack is exceeding a 1 - 3 day period and you are showing signs of dehydration or severe weakness.

Tips & Warnings

• If in doubt about the safety of a food - throw it out.
• If you always find yourself having a stomach ache or cramps after eating at a particular restaurant or consuming a certain food - this could be a sign of food poisoning or a food allergy, respectively.
• This is not medical advice - always consult your medical practitioner.
• Children and the elderly should see a doctor much sooner to diagnose and treat food poisoning promptly.
• Symptoms of food poisoning can also be the same symptoms as a more serious and potentially deadly condition called bowel obstruction.

Resources

• Food poisoning - MayoClinic.com
• How to Prevent Rashes Caused by Anxiety
• Heather Inks' Website - Freebies, Coupons, Craft Ideas, & More

[flowersinmylife]

on 12/11/2009 Very informative article on food poisening. Thanks5* and a rec.

[lucindaroth]

on 11/17/2009 Very good. It can be tough to narrow down causes.

[jeni10]

on 11/16/2009 Informative article on how to identify the cause of food poisoning. Very timely as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in which food is so much a part of our celebrations. 5*

[ziffle12]

on 11/12/2009 Very useful article. 5*

[Delaplane]

on 11/11/2009 Another great article!