Why Food Poisoning Happened while Pregnant | Best Treatment
Sometimes you may suffer from food poisoning while pregnant, and it may prove to be very dangerous. There are many causing agents of food poisoning. Still, the major one is uncleanliness and unhygienic conditions. One should always be attentive towards the proper cooking of the meal and a hygienic lifestyle.
Food poisoning in pregnancy is a condition that requires immediate medical attention as in some mothers it may result in abortion, premature birth, and effects on the health of the baby, etc.
What is Food Poisoning in Pregnancy?
Food poisoning is when you get a stomach infection and feel anxiety, vomiting, and other issues.
Food poisoning while pregnant means that you must eat something wrong and vulnerable like any virus, bacteria, toxin, pathogen, etc. During pregnancy, it is such a condition that you should inform and visit your doctor right away. In pregnancy, metabolism and circulation are different from the routine, and they may vary as mood swings, and a pregnant woman has to follow up a careful and good diet.
If by chance, you may have ever experienced food poisoning, then you should go for its treatment as soon as possible because if prolonged, it may result in premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriages, etc. We have reviewed food poisoning while pregnant, all the basics of it, along with the occurring symptoms, available treatment, and beneficial precautions so that it will be easy for every future mom to save herself from food poisoning.
What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Females During Pregnancy?
While pregnancy, a woman has to care for herself and her unborn baby. She has to be careful even about the smallest changes too. She has to follow up proper diet plan, rest, and a good, relaxing environment. There are some symptoms of food poisoning in pregnancy:
- Bloody stool.
- Pain in the body and discomfort.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea etc.
Vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea are the basic symptoms of food poisoning in humans and pregnant females. However, it would be difficult to figure out, are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common changes or related to food poisoning.
In such cases, you should always try to figure it out on your own through self-examination, but if you still feel unable to do so, you should consult your doctor in the minimum time hours.
What is the Cause of Food Poisoning?
While pregnancy, a female’s immune system is in an alert state, and it responds to even minor changes in her body because hormone changes rapidly are in flux in pregnancy. According to the FDA- U.S Food and Drug Administration report, pregnant women always have to keep their diet under control and be careful about what they eat and prepare.
Because their immune system responds to even minor changes, a pregnant woman’s whole body system is directed to bring the child’s growth. Moreover, the baby’s immune system is also underdeveloped. So, such a condition is vulnerable for both the mother and the unborn child.
It may occur because of inappropriate calcium and sodium intake and can also be termed salt poisoning. Salt poisoning also has the same symptoms as simple food poisoning etc. however, for its treatment, doctors may look for salt poisoning-specific medicines.
Food poisoning in females may also occur due to eating specific viruses and bacteria etc. let’s have a look at such viruses whose intake may cause food poisoning in pregnant females:
Salmonella:
Salmonella is an infectious entity, which enters the body through contaminated food. Moreover, its symptoms vary from the other pathogens and appear after 6 hours to approximately six-day days. Its symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Norovirus:
Norovirus is a virus, which is responsible for gastroenteritis infections, including food poisoning, etc. Its symptoms include stomach cramps, continuous vomiting, and diarrhea, which appear after 12 hours to 2 days after consuming contaminated food and drink.
Staphylococcus Aureus:
It is also a pathogen responsible for food poisoning infection. It is difficult to differentiate whether the infection is caused by Norovirus or staphylococcus because their symptoms are the same.
Staphylococcus is the fastest infection-causing pathogen, as its symptoms start to appear after 30 minutes to 8 hours.
E. Coli:
E.coli is abbreviated as Escherichia Coli. It is also a causing agent for food poisoning pregnant. Its symptoms start to appear after 3-4 days of consuming food and drink contaminated with E. Coli.
Over dosage of Medicines:
During pregnancy, women have to go through hectic days and routines. In some females, pregnancy is not an easy thing to handle. They may go to depression and other psychiatric problems etc. Moreover, some pregnant females with brain or nervous system problems like epilepsy, etc., are more vulnerable to food poisoning. During this, they have to take care of themselves at their best.
Their medicine over dosage like lamotrigine overdose may pose a health threat. The women may experience vomiting, nausea, etc., which is difficult to differentiate from food poisoning. People are sometimes confused about whether vomiting, diarrhea, fever, nausea, body pain, etc., is caused by an infectious entity or through lamotrigine overdose.
If you are a pregnant female taking lamotrigine, be careful about your lamotrigine dosage and your healthy diet with complete rest and a healthy lifestyle.
What is the Available Treatment for Food Poisoning?
Dehydration is the most alarming effect of food poisoning. An infected one should always drink water and fluids frequently if they are experiencing food poisoning. While food poisoning in pregnancy requires more attention because it can be harmful to the unborn baby whose immune system is not mature enough to fight a battle against food poisoning infections and germs.
Pregnant women should always keep water in use. So dehydration will not occur. Water is considered a natural detoxifier and a good replenishment source to deal with dehydration. In dehydration, and food poisoning pregnant always consult their doctor because he requires quick medical action and an intravenous supply of fluids in some conditions.
One can recover from food poisoning through natural remedies with a medical consultant, except for water intake. Like:
Blend or Low-Fat Food:
With food poisoning, it is difficult for a woman to eat something. But she has to eat so that her body has the strength to cope with food poisoning and for the safety of her unborn child. The alternative food which she may use is the low-fat food, and blended food such as she may consume:
- Salt crackers.
- Blend rice.
- Mashed potatoes etc.
Drinks Against Dehydration:
Dehydration is the basic problem associated with food poisoning. A person, either male or female if develops food poisoning, and there is a chance of developing dehydration. So they should have to replenish themselves with fluids or water continuously.
- Sports drinks are free from electrolytes. They may use:
- Plain water.
- Juices diluted with water etc.
They also replace glucose and other fluids. So, you can go with these drinks with confidence without any regrets.
Natural Detoxifier:
Ginger is a natural detoxifier and immunity developer. You can use it in the form of ginger tea etc, for food poisoning infections, etc.
The Complication of Food Poisoning in Pregnancy:
In addition to dehydration, food poisoning in pregnancy brings more problems and complications:
- Norovirus has the potential to cause malnutrition.
- Listeriosis can interfere with the neurological system and can bring neurological disorders like seizures etc.
- Affects intestinal and stomach lining damage and can also result in severe stomach infection, kidney problems, and even kidney failure, etc.
- Salmonella, the fastest pathogen of food poisoning, can cause arthritis, etc.
- So, a food poisoning pregnant should always follow good and healthy eating habits.
What are the Preventive Measures that One Should Follow to Avoid Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning, either in pregnant or normal ones, is developed through the consumption of raw or contaminated food, and one should look for a good lifestyle and a good diet.
- They should avoid ready-to-eat food.
- They should not eat seafood, raw eggs, vegetable, fruits, etc.
- Always keep your kitchen clean. So the chances of cross-contamination will be reduced.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and Luke warm water.
- Suppose you are a pet lover, like of cat or dog or any other. It would be best if you had to keep them away from your kitchen and living. And wash your hands immediately when you are done playing with a pet.
- If you feel food poisoning, consult and visit your doctor as soon as you can.
Takeaway Message:
Food poisoning while pregnant is a condition that requires immediate attention and medical assistance. If it is prolonged and gets severe, it may result in premature birth or miscarriages. So, it would be best if you managed your hygienic living and eating habits. And if you are ever infected with food poisoning, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
