When you’re hit with the unpleasant symptoms of a stomach bug or food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the thought of eating anything can be unappealing. The focus is on relief, and you might wonder, “Will Tums Help With Food Poisoning?”. This guide provides insights into managing food poisoning, focusing on rehydration and easing back into a normal diet.
“The specific guidance actually gets fairly personalized, based on how long symptoms last, how severe they got and how you feel along the way,” says Dr. Neeharika Kalakota, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. “Certain stomach bugs, like norovirus and rotavirus, are typically pretty short-lived. Other causes can result in symptoms that last for several days.”
The First Few Hours: Focus on Rehydration
During the initial hours (0-6) of experiencing food poisoning symptoms, your body loses significant fluids through vomiting and diarrhea. This can quickly lead to dehydration. Therefore, the primary goal is to rehydrate. Dr. Kalakota suggests starting with small sips of water, ice chips, or a popsicle to minimize stomach upset.
“In these first few hours, it’s best to avoid chewing or swallowing,” explains Dr. Kalakota. “And if you are more prone to dehydration, you might consider messaging your doctor to let them know your situation so they can provide specific recommendations, if needed.”
Those at higher risk of dehydration include babies, toddlers, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions like kidney disease or untreated type 2 diabetes.
Alt text: A woman gently sipping water from a glass, focusing on rehydration after food poisoning.
After 6 Hours: Clear Liquids and Careful Monitoring
If you can tolerate ice chips without vomiting, you can gradually introduce clear liquids. These liquids can include water, diluted apple juice, grape juice, or broth. Avoid carbonated beverages or anything you can’t see through.
“You can have water, or this could be apple juice, grape juice — some people even like to sip on broth,” says Dr. Kalakota. “Just be sure whatever you choose is flat and clear. Avoid drinks that are carbonated or you can’t see through.”
Everyone’s recovery timeline varies. If you feel better sooner, you can accelerate the process. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
“If you can’t even keep water down after six hours, it’s time to start thinking about messaging your primary care doctor to see if there’s anything they recommend you do,” says Dr. Kalakota. “If things keep getting worse, and you feel like you can’t manage your symptoms at home, head to the ER. Everyone has a different threshold for this, but it’s something to keep in mind if you get worried.”
In severe cases of dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids administered in an emergency room can provide rapid relief.
“With a case of viral gastroenteritis where someone is vomiting a lot, I’ll also usually start them on an antacid to help deal with the resulting esophageal irritation,” adds Dr. Kalakota. “This can help provide some relief for the almost reflux-like symptoms that come with excessive vomiting.”
While Tums, an antacid, can help with heartburn and acid indigestion, it doesn’t directly address the underlying causes of food poisoning. Therefore, it’s more important to focus on rehydration and resting the digestive system during the initial stages.
After 24 Hours: Introducing the BRAT Diet
After about 24 hours, you can try introducing bland foods. The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is often recommended. Other options include crackers, plain grits, or oatmeal.
“You can start with what’s called the BRAT diet, which stands for: bananas, rice, apples, toast,” says Dr. Kalakota. “And if you don’t like any of those, just be sure you’re choosing something bland — crackers, plain grits, plain oatmeal.”
Alt text: A selection of BRAT diet foods: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, recommended for easing back into eating after food poisoning.
Start slowly and monitor how your body reacts to these foods.
Personalized Recovery: What to Avoid
Food poisoning recovery can vary from a couple of days to several weeks. As you improve, you can gradually reintroduce foods into your diet. However, it’s important to avoid certain items that can irritate your stomach:
- Caffeine (unless you experience withdrawal headaches)
- Fried foods
- Fatty foods
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
“These are all things that can further irritate an already irritated stomach,” says Dr. Kalakota. “And fatty and spicy foods can also make vomiting and diarrhea even more uncomfortable if either come back.”
Returning to Normal: A Week or So
Most individuals recover and return to their normal diet within a week. However, listen to your body and adjust your diet accordingly.
“Most people typically feel better and are back to their usual diet after about a week, but everyone is different,” says Dr. Kalakota.
Use the guidelines provided as a general framework, taking things slow and heeding your body’s signals.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you are unable to manage your symptoms at home, seek emergency medical care. Dehydration can be quickly addressed with IV fluids, and you’ll gain peace of mind knowing you’re receiving appropriate treatment.
“If nothing else, you’ll receive IV fluids to help rehydrate you, and you’ll likely get some added peace of mind,” says Dr. Kalakota.
In conclusion, while Tums might alleviate some discomfort associated with acid reflux or indigestion, it won’t directly combat food poisoning. The primary focus should be on rehydration, resting your digestive system, and gradually reintroducing bland foods as tolerated. Always consult your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you are concerned about dehydration.
