Many people have experienced food poisoning at one point in their lives. However, sometimes there are severe complications of this condition which require a visit to your Sugar Land emergency clinic. Most food poisoning sufferers experience mild to moderate symptoms for one to ten days and get better on their own. However, food poisoning can cause severe dehydration or even organ damage. Therefore, know what to watch out for to determine whether you need Sugar Land emergency care.
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. When food contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins, your body will react to try to fight off the source of your illness. Generally, those with food poisoning will recover at home with fluids and rest. Unfortunately, sometimes this isn’t the case and you may need to see your Sugar Land emergency clinic for help.
What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
Most people are familiar with some of the symptoms of foodborne illness. If you have experienced food poisoning before, you know that the symptoms can leave you feeling very unwell and uncomfortable. Some common symptoms are:
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
These are your body’s reaction to the pathogen or toxin that you ate. Most of the time, these symptoms are mild. Additionally, you generally don’t need to visit an emergency room for food poisoning. However, there are some more serious symptoms that require Sugar Land emergency care.
When to Go to Your Sugar Land Emergency Clinic
If you have food poisoning, you should monitor your condition closely. Vomiting from food borne illness can lead to severe dehydration.If you suspect you’re experiencing severe dehydration due to food poisoning, you should contact or visit your Sugar Land emergency clinic for assistance.
Some signs that you should go to your Sugar Land emergency room for food poisoning are:
- Uncontrolled vomiting for 4 or more hours
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Fever over 101° F
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness
- Seizures or muscle cramps
- Dark-colored urination
- Confusion
These are signs that you are experiencing more than just a mild case of food poisoning and should visit your Sugar Land emergency clinic. Ignoring these signs can lead to serious health complications that could be life threatening. This is especially true in children and the elderly. So, keep you and your family safe by looking out for these serious symptoms.
If you need fast, quality care, St. Michael’s Elite Hospital can help. We have shorter waiting times and can treat anything from food poisoning to broken bones to help you and your family feel better faster. Our professionals are focused on high patient satisfaction to ensure that you receive precise, first-class care. Call us at (281) 980-4357 to let us know you are on your way. We are here to serve you 24 hours a day, every day of the year.