Oral Poisoning And Food Poisoning Symptoms | What To Do

Oral poisoning, food poisoning and food poisoning symptoms, lets learn what to do.

Although poisons may be inhaled, such as asbestos poisoning, or absorbed through the skin, for the most part they are swallowed. The term ingestion refers to oral poisoning or food poisoning. Most oral poisoning and food poisoning can be prevented when oral and food poisoning symptoms is early detected. Children almost always swallow poison accidentally and we have to be aware of what are the oral and food poisoning symptoms. Keep harmful substances, such as medications, insecticides, caustic cleansers, and organic solvents like kerosene, gasoline, or furniture polish, out of the reach of children. The most damaging are strong alkali solutions such as drain cleaners (Drano and others), which will destroy any tissue with which they come in contact. Watch-out also to the recipes of the food you eat.

Treatment must be prompt to be effective, but accurate identification of the substance is as important as speed. Don't panic. Call the doctor or oral poisoning and food poisoning control center immediately and get advice on what to do if you've notice some food poisoning symptoms. Attempt to identify the substance without causing undue delay. Always bring the container with you to the emergency room. Life-support measures take precedence in the case of the unconscious victim, but the ingested substance or food must be identified before proper therapy can be instituted.

Suicide attempts cause many significant medication overdoses. Any suicide attempt is an indication that help is needed. Such help is not optional, even if the patient has "recovered" from food poisoning symptoms and is in no immediate danger from any ingested poison. Most successful suicides are preceded by unsuccessful attempts.

Home Treatment

All cases of oral poisoning and food poisoning require professional help especially if you can identify food poisoning symptoms. Someone should call for help immediately if you found a patien under food posoning symptoms. If the patient is conscious and alert and the ingredients swallowed are known, there are two types of treatment: those in which vomiting should be induced, and those in which it should not. Vomiting can be very dangerous if the poison contains strong acids, alkalis, or petroleum products. These substances can destroy the esophagus or damage the lungs as they are vomited. Neutralize them with milk while contacting the physician. If you don't have milk, use water or milk of magnesia.

Vomiting is a safe way to remove medications and suspicious plants and other cases of food poisoning. It is more effective and safer than using a stomach pump and does not require the doctor's help if you noticed food poisoning symptoms. If you see food poisoning symptoms, vomiting can sometimes be achieved immediately by stimulating the back of the throat with a finger (don't be squeamish!), or by giving two to four teaspoons of syrup (not extract) of ipecac, followed by as much liquid as the patient can drink. Vomiting follows usually within twenty minutes, but since time is important; using your finger to induce vomiting is sometimes quicker. Or you can try both methods. Mustard mixed with warm water also works. If there is no vomiting in twenty-five minutes, repeat the dose of syrup of ipecac. Collect the vomitus and write the food poisoning symptoms observed so that it can be examined by the physician.

Before, after, or during first aid, contact a physician. Many communities have established oral poisoning and food poisoning control centers to identify poisons and give advice in what to do if you notice food poisoning symptoms. These are often located in emergency rooms. Quick first aid and fast professional advice are your best chance to avoid a tragedy.

If an accidental poisoning has occurred, make sure that it doesn't happen again. Put poisons where children cannot reach them. Flush old medications down the toilet. Be on guard on what you eat. Always check the expiry date of the food you buy in grocrery stores. Make sure you educate the members of the family on what to do when food poisoning symptoms occurs.