I know it's been almost a week since I've posted an update. Let me go ahead and say that while I would've loved to post an update, I was a little preoccupied with "not dying."
Let me make a long and disturbing story nice and short for you by giving you a rundown of my weekend.
- Have you gotten food poisoning in America? I haven't, but I've had it in Africa!
- Have you ever had to provide a urine sample in a cup? In your drinking cup? Have you ever had to collect the urine sample and in the middle of collecting the sample your city was hit with an earthquake?
- If the doctor says, "Well, there is one more thing we can do to break the fever..." Say no and run away. Or crawl away. Just get away. Don't look back.
- Did I mention I was carrying around my own IV when I was collecting my urine sample?
- Has a doctor ever said to you, "Your body has started eating itself...it's not a good cycle."
- Have you ever had strange women pass out and fall into your room while you were hooked up to an IV? Me too.
- Make sure the first thing you drink when you get home isn't apple juice. Your body will just laugh and laugh and say, "Try again."
- Make sure your first solid food in 48 hours isn't Indian food.
I would like to publicly thank my wonderful roommates for ensuring that I survived June 14-17. I would also like to thank Kevin for mercilessly making fun of me every bizarre step of the way.
I would also like to thank Star Wars for being created, because I watched every movie this weekend.
I would also like to thank the four pounds of medicine I've swallowed in the past 48 hours. Because of you, I left the house today.
Anyway I'm fine now and I think I'll be ready for work in the morning. I just thought I would share my absurd misfortunes.
T.I.A.
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3 comments:
Why is it with everyone getting sick in other countries? Think what would've happen if you hadn't had so many shots before you left...
The closest I've come to being sick is when I clogged Kirby's toilet and flooded the bathroom in her new apartment today. Then I had jalapeno chicken. God Bless America, and Uganda.
Hi Joey, sorry to hear about your food poisoning, I just read article day before yesterday about it.
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:59:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Pamela
Quick Recovery When Food Poisoning Strikes
Although headlines sometimes describe food poisoning as the killer that lurks in your dinner, the problem rarely causes death. But food poisoning does create extreme discomfort in as many as 76 million Americans every year with vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain that can last from a few hours to more than a week. Sometimes food poisoning is also accompanied by fever, severe dehydration and even shock -- which can be life-threatening, so it's very important to take symptoms seriously. Though there are ways to decrease the incidence of food poisoning, it's nearly impossible to avoid ever facing it -- so it is important to know how to handle the problem. With that in mind, I called naturopathic physician Sonja Pettersen, ND, in private practice in Scottsdale , Arizona , for her treatment recommendations.
She told me that food poisoning in North America mostly comes from assorted naturally occurring bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter. Listeria is not common, but approximately 20% of patients die from it... and botulinum, which causes botulism, is also rare. (Another kind called Shigella is found in tropical climates, especially where poor hygiene is present.) Botulism is far and away the most serious of these. It usually results from poor canning techniques, and fortunately occurs much less often than it once did. Nevertheless, when the live botulism organism is ingested, it can kill quickly, so it is crucial to act immediately. In the case of food poisoning, botulism is a toxin that paralyzes nerves -- so it can affect many bodily functions, including breathing, balance, speech and swallowing, notes Dr. Pettersen. The onset is rapid (incubation is six hours to 10 days) and unmistakable, characterized by paralysis in any or all of those functions. Effective anti-toxin treatment is now available, and any sign of botulism requires a 9-1-1 call and a rush trip to the ER.
Fortunately, most other cases of food poisoning can be handled at home. Although the vomiting and diarrhea are often intense and painful, Dr. Pettersen explains that this is the body's way of purging itself of the bacteria. "There is a turf war going on," she says, "between the body's natural immunity and protective intestinal flora, and the invading bacteria." The goal is to eliminate the bad bacteria promptly -- if it is allowed to linger, toxins develop that can cause much more serious problems. The violent elimination is your body's natural defense against the organisms and their associated toxins. Therefore, you shouldn't take medications, such as Imodium, to slow or stop the diarrhea. "Better out than in," says Dr. Pettersen. Also, don't take an antacid to quell the upset. Stomach acid is crucial as the first line of defense to diminish the toxins and keep the live bacteria from spreading through the rest of the GI tract.
AT HOME
Even as your digestive system is turning inside out, there are ways to make yourself more comfortable. Dr. Pettersen advises taking a probiotic in the form of a high-quality acidophilus powder in capsules or mixed in a liquid per instructions on the container, and as prescribed by your physician. Often you'll be instructed to take a dose every half hour or so even when vomiting -- it can't hurt you and will get more good bacteria into your system when it stays down. Other natural remedies include anti-microbial essential oils, herbs and/or supplements such as cilantro, ginger, tarragon, oregano, garlic, thyme or peppermint. Activated charcoal caps neutralize toxins to help stop symptoms quickly. (It is usually the bacterial toxins and not the bacteria itself that create the symptoms.) A homeopathic remedy often prescribed is Arsenicum album.
POST-ATTACK CARE
Within a few days, the attack begins to ebb and you will start to feel better. But understand that your digestive system has been under siege, and isn't ready for a normal diet. Instead, Dr. Pettersen advises the following...
· Drink Pedialyte, an electrolyte-replacement drink. (Avoid Gatorade, though, because it will make you feel worse, according to Dr. Pettersen. The high fructose corn syrup (anything sweet) can easily induce an osmotic diarrhea on top of gut troubles.)
· Eat simple foods -- remember the acronym BRAT (bananas, rice, apple sauce, dry toast). Do not challenge your system.
· Avoid sugar completely -- and this includes the 7-Up and ginger ale your mother probably gave you as a child after a bout (disruptive gut organisms tend to thrive on such sugary treats).
EMERGENCY MEASURES
Bleeding from the nose or mouth, or blood in your urine, feces or vomit are signs of an emergency. If this happens, go to an ER right away. Any neurological symptoms such as balance or visual problems, muscle weakening and the like also mean you need to get immediately to the hospital. Barring these symptoms, you'll need to stay in touch with your doctor if the debilitation from food poisoning is prolonged. "How bad this might get depends on your general health, but your recent experiences are a factor," says Dr. Pettersen. For example, if you've just completed a long, dehydrating flight, food poisoning will affect you much worse than it might if you are well rested and hydrated. Your physician will decide if IV fluid replacement is necessary and, in the case of Salmonella, if you need an antibiotic. Note: Dr. Pettersen says that with many cases of food poisoning, the general prescription of antibiotics without a specific target can make the situation worse because they kill the friendly bacteria in the gut that would otherwise be warriors in the battle.
While much is known about how to avoid food contamination, it's a problem that remains very much with us today -- as those scary headlines make all too clear. I wouldn't wish food poisoning on anyone, but most of us get it at one point or another. Knowing how to deal with it can minimize unpleasantness.
I miss you man. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Be safe!
Justin
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