Characteristics of food poisoning or vomiting symptoms? this is the difference

This morning you had stomach ache and then diarrhea. You will immediately remember what food you ate the last time the previous day, and whether it was clean or not. Food poisoning may be one of the first diseases that cross your mind. However, stomach pain and diarrhea are not the only features of food poisoning. Stomach pain and diarrhea can also be the first symptoms of vomiting or gastroenteritis. Here's how to distinguish between the characteristics of food poisoning and the symptoms of vomiting so that you can get proper medical help.

What causes food poisoning?

Food poisoning is an infection of the digestive tract caused by food and drinks that contain bacteria, parasites, viruses, or harmful substances. The most common cause of food poisoning is the toxin staphylococcus aureus.

Most food poisoning is acute. This means that this condition is only temporary, can heal on its own, and rarely causes complications. Food poisoning is similar to other gastrointestinal infections, such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What causes vomiting?

Nausea or gastroenteritis is a norovirus infection that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Vomiting is always caused by viruses, not bacteria or parasites. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include: watery diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, and chills. Symptoms usually appear 12-48 hours after exposure to the causative virus and last 1-3 days, but some can last up to a week.

Losing a lot of fluids through diarrhea and vomiting can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, making it potentially life-threatening.

Distinguishing the characteristics of food poisoning and symptoms of vomiting

The symptoms of vomiting and the characteristics of food poisoning often overlap. Both of these indigestion can cause you to experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and possibly fever.

According to Dr. Michael Rice, a gastroenterologist, the way to tell whether you have food poisoning or gastroenteritis is to look at the activities you did before you got the disease.

"Symptoms caused by food poisoning last for several hours after eating," says Dr. Rice. If you eat or drink and the person consuming it also has the same symptoms or is unsure about its quality, you may have food poisoning.

If you are the only one who becomes sick after eating certain foods, you have been exposed to someone else's sneeze along the way, or handled a contaminated doorknob, you may have developed vomiting.

Also watch for signs of dehydration such as reduced urine output or a dark color and feeling lightheaded. If your condition does not improve after more than two days, the fever does not go down, you have mucus in the stool, you have a numbness or tingling sensation, and are signs of dehydration, see your doctor immediately for further treatment.

How to treat both?

For therapy, both are usually given a modified diet, namely the BRAT diet consisting of bread, rice, applesauce, and toast. An alternative to the BRAT diet is saltine crackers. The purpose of this diet is to replace lost calories and electrolytes. Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol so as not to further irritate the inner walls of the digestive tract.