I think my mom might have food poisoning.. Help!!!

[chickenbarn-gal]

Okay.... Is simply sipping/drinking water enough? She has been drinking a lot of water, so I think that she is fine the with hydration part. She is mainly weak, and has upper abdominal pain. But no signs of dehydration.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
If she is keeping the water down, then yes. A good test for hydration is the have her place her hand palm down on a table and then grasp the skin on the back of her and hold it for 10 seconds. If it goes back to normal in 10 seconds she is hydrated. If not, then she is not hydrated enough.

 

[Raiquee]

Well upper abdominal pain (espessially if its more of a sore pain rather than a sharp pain) is understandable, as her stomach is all wacked out right now. I would get her on an electrolyte drink like gatoraid or lifewater or something of the sort. It would be better than just plain water, as she is probably losing some of her lytes, and getting off balance on those can make you feel worse than you actually are!

I would suggest her to see her normal physician however, they can address it more closely. May ask for a stool sample to rule out salmonella. BYC are full of helpful people, but no one can give you sound medical advice like your doctor! It doesn't sound like shes going anywhere anytime soon, wouldn't hurt to see the doctor.

Usually a bout of food poisoning wouldn't last this long, but it does vary depending on what was consumed and how the person reacts to it.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Dehydration is better monitored by urine output. When you get an IV in the hospital for dehydration, you pee A LOT!!. Push fluids Push fluids Push fluids. When your mom complains enough about always having to go to the bathroom, she is getting enough fluids.

You want to flush those bad boys out of her system.
If you don't have pedialyte and those other fancy things, make her some jellowater. Make jello according to package directions but dilute it with water so it is drinkable. Drink warm or cold or anywhere inbetween. This is what doctors recommended before Pedialyte was manufactured.

 

[dewey]

With the palm flat, you can pull the skin up on the back of the hand to see how quickly it springs back. It should be quick. It wouldn't be uncommon to have been running a fever with FP, and that will add to the dehydration. You could check her pulse, temp, and also BP if you have a cuff.

Agreeing that the ill person often does not realize when it's time to go get checked. Just this week I had to convince one of my sisters to go to the ER because of her symptoms...her blood pressure was 210/105. She's glad she went.

 

[Camelot Farms]

And since tomorrow is a 'closed' day for most docs, you might see if there is an Urgent Care type facility associated with your docs office or the hospital.

Some of us tend to avoid the ER cause we know how expensive it is but we might be talked into going to an Urgent Care facility which is usually much much cheaper.

Just a thought to mention to your mom in case she is worried about that.

 

[Baymule]

For food poisoning and dehydration, Mix apple cider vinegar and honey half and half until honey is disolved. Pour about 2-3 fingers deep in a small glass. fill with water. Tell your mom to sip slowly. Even if she pukes it back up, enough will stay in her system to help her. The ACV is natures disinfectant, it kills the harmful bacteria and leaves the beneficial bacteria. For dehydration, mix 5 spoons sugar and 1 spoon salt in glass of water, stir until disolved. Sip slowly. It forms an electrolyte solution, is readily available and something everybody has. Do this right now. If you don't have honey, then just dilute the ACV with water, but honey makes it better. Honey is anti-viral, pneumonia virus can't live in honey and it is good for burns. Hope your mom gets better and let us know.

 

[vanilla.exe]

If your mom has dietary restrictions it may be better to bring her in to the doctors. I don't know if cost is a concern, but if it's not, better safe than sorry, always. If it is, then look up clinics in your area for free/cheap and go for a check up asap.

 

[dewey]

I hope she's feeling a little better and continues to during the night.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Take her in now to emergency.

It is not at all clear to me that she actually has food poisoning. It could just be a complete coincidence that the dog got sick. She could have appendicitis, a rupture, anything.

No, people are not good at telling when they tehmselves are in need of emergency care. Being that sick, people get - well - their judgement is affected.