Acute food poisoning

Acute food poisoning usually occurs rapidly, but not for long. But even for a short period of time it can lead to death of the patient or cause significant disorders of the digestive system, which then have to work to recover for a long time.

Causes of acute food poisoning

Food poisoning can occur with different symptoms and commence at different times after ingestion. This is due to the fact that the causes of food poisoning can be different.

If the cause of poisoning not in the micro-organisms, namely, their toxins, such microbial food poisoning called toxicosis. They are divided into bacterial microbial toxicosis (botulism, staphylococcal microbial toxicosis) and fungal (eg, Fusarium fungus toxins).

Non-microbial food poisoning are divided into three groups: poisoning poisonous plants and animal tissues (eg, fungi, poisonous plants, fish) poisoning products of plant and animal origin, poisonous under certain conditions (some of the seeds of fruit, such as peaches Peaches: benefits and harms of sun fruits Cherries; wintered green potatoes, pike and burbot liver during spawning) and poisoning by the chemical nature of the impurities (pesticides, heavy metals).

How is acute food poisoning

The first signs of food poisoning occur approximately two hours after ingestion of contaminated food, but this period may be about two days. First was poisoned feels malaise, slight fever, nausea, and then on her background repeated vomiting. After this start abdominal cramps and diarrhea to 10 - 15 times per day. Fecal usually without any impurities, but there are feces with mucus and blood.

Proceeds food poisoning long and often ends with a day - three. However, if the patient is not just medical assistance, repeated vomiting and diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration of the patient, which in turn is fraught with serious complications, such as thrombosis Thrombosis - the cause of heart attack and stroke   vessels, acute cholecystitis.

Bacterial microbial toxicosis occur in different ways. For example, botulism Botulism - beware of canned   first proceeds as usual poisoning with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Then, when these symptoms subside, there are disturbances in the form of double vision, paresis of facial muscles. Gradually, paresis go first to the muscles of the pharynx, swallowing stops, and then the muscles of the larynx, and making it impossible to breathe. To help in this state can only intensive care with intubation of the patient (the introduction of the breathing tube into the trachea).

Depending on the nature of the poison symptoms predominate overstimulation or depression of the central nervous system (henbane, belladonna, poppy, horsetail, monkshood). Poisons many plants have a pronounced effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms   (wolf's bark, milkweed, buckthorn).

For poisoning caused by edible products purchased toxic properties under certain conditions or by improper cooking, include, for example, acute poisoning wintered green with potatoes, which contains a large amount of alkaloid corned beef. About half an hour after eating this potato there is a brief burning sensation in the throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Poisoning chemical impurities is also quite frequent, especially pesticide poisoning - substances used to control pests and plant diseases. For example, in acute poisoning with organochlorine pesticides headaches. Dizziness, pain in the limbs, in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and gait disturbance.

How to determine what caused the poisoning

Since many types of acute food poisoning are similar to each other, it is of great importance as it is possible more complete identification of all the circumstances of acute food poisoning and its symptoms. Will and laboratory studies of biological material - vomit and faeces, but they will be received in a few days, and the need to provide medical care to the patient immediately, so important are the knowledge and experience of the doctor.

If food poisoning runs hard, then in any case, can not rely on their own experience and engage in self - it can have the most serious consequences.

  Colitis - a disorder that is characterized by inflammation of the colon. The most common symptom exacerbations of this disease is bloody diarrhea. Exacerbations can relieve symptoms by means of special drugs. Exacerbations and can be avoided by taking the medication, usually mesalazine, every day. In some cases, surgery is required for removal of the colon. In people suffering from colitis, an increased risk of colon cancer Colon cancer: creeps imperceptibly . Daily intake of mesalazine reduces this risk. However, patients with ulcerative colitis required to undergo regular examinations to detect precancerous changes.

Colitis can develop at any age, but most often it is observed in patients aged 10 to 40 years. One of the seven cases of colitis occurs in patients 60 years and older. Interestingly, colitis occurs more frequently in nonsmokers than in smokers. However, smoking is a significant health hazard, and should not be considered as a means to prevent colitis.

Types of colitis

There are many varieties of colitis, such as:

• Autoimmune colitis (this category includes ulcerative colitis);
• Idiopathic colitis;
• Ischemic colitis;
• Infectious colitis.

Causes

To establish the cause of colitis is not always possible. In one out of five cases of colitis develops in people whose close relatives suffer from this disorder; probably genetic factors play a role in its development. It is assumed that certain triggers may affect the immune system in such a way that it causes inflammation of the colon - for those people who are genetically predisposed to develop the disease.

The most likely trigger colitis are viruses or bacteria. However, the colitis, there are other triggers, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as the cessation of intake of nicotine in people who quit smoking. Gastroenteritis often causes exacerbation of colitis.

Symptoms of acute colitis at

• Diarrhea - from mild to severe. The chair can be traces of mucus or pus. There are frequent and strong urge to defecate.
• Bloody diarrhea.
• Crampy abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms .
• Pain during bowel movements.
• Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum). Symptoms can vary depending upon whether the affected only worsening the rectum or also colon. Some patients have rectal bleeding, and someone during an exacerbation of the normal chair, with no trace of blood or pus.
• Sensation general malaise usually occurs if exacerbation affects a large portion of the colon and / or if it continues for a long time.

Diagnostics

As a rule, in cases of suspected colitis colonoscopy is performed Preparing and conducting a colonoscopy: the risks and alternatives   - Study the inner lining of the colon and rectum using a colonoscope. At the same time you can spend a fence tissue sample (biopsy). Analysis of the sample can confirm the diagnosis. In addition, do a blood test to rule out a variety of diseases.

During each exacerbation of colitis do analysis of stool sample to detect the bacteria or viruses that can cause infection. While there is no evidence that any microorganisms can become a cause of colitis, they can provoke an aggravation.

Treatment

The choice of treatment depends on its colitis species. For example, infectious colitis usually treated with antibiotics Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future? , Autoimmune colitis designate receiving immunomodulators. In severe cases, which are fortunately rare, treatment is needed for surgery.