Tummy ache is one of the most common and unpleasant experiences that anyone can have. It can be caused by various factors, such as indigestion, constipation, stomach bug, food poisoning, or even stress. Sometimes, it can be mild and go away on its own, but other times, it can be severe and require medical attention. In this blog post, I will share my personal story of how I survived a tummy ache and what I learned from it.
The Onset of the Pain
It was a sunny Saturday morning and I was looking forward to having a relaxing day at home. I decided to treat myself to a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and coffee. I enjoyed every bite of my meal and felt satisfied and happy. Little did I know that this would be the start of my ordeal.
About an hour after finishing my breakfast, I started to feel a slight discomfort in my stomach. I thought it was just a minor indigestion and ignored it. However, as time passed, the discomfort turned into pain and the pain turned into cramps. I felt like someone was squeezing my stomach with a vice. I also felt nauseous and bloated. I tried to drink some water and take some antacids, but nothing helped.
I realized that this was not a normal tummy ache and that something was seriously wrong. I checked my symptoms online and found out that I might have food poisoning. Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food or drink. It can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain . It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins.
I wondered what could have caused my food poisoning. Was it the pancakes? The bacon? The eggs? The coffee? Or maybe something else? I remembered that the eggs looked a bit runny and that the bacon smelled funny. Maybe they were expired or not cooked properly. Or maybe they were contaminated by some germs or chemicals. I cursed myself for not checking the expiration dates or the quality of the food before eating them.
The Trip to the Hospital
As the pain got worse, I decided to call my friend and ask him to take me to the hospital. He arrived in 15 minutes and drove me to the nearest emergency room. He helped me check in and waited with me until I was seen by a doctor.
The doctor asked me about my symptoms, medical history, and what I ate for breakfast. He then examined me and took some blood samples. He told me that he suspected that I had food poisoning and that he needed to run some tests to confirm it. He also gave me some painkillers and anti-nausea medication to ease my discomfort.
I waited for an hour until the doctor came back with the test results. He confirmed that I had food poisoning caused by salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the world. It can be found in raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and spices . It can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, and vomiting within 6 to 72 hours after exposure .
The doctor told me that I needed to stay in the hospital for observation and treatment. He said that most cases of food poisoning resolve on their own within a few days, but some can be serious and lead to complications such as dehydration, sepsis, or organ failure . He said that he would give me antibiotics to kill the bacteria and fluids to prevent dehydration. He also advised me to avoid solid foods until my stomach settled down.
I thanked him for his help and followed his instructions. I spent two days in the hospital receiving treatment and resting. My friend visited me every day and brought me some magazines and books to keep me entertained. He also brought me some flowers and chocolates to cheer me up.
The Recovery Process
After two days of treatment, I started to feel better. The pain subsided and the nausea disappeared. The doctor checked on me and said that I was ready to go home. He gave me some discharge instructions and prescriptions for antibiotics and painkillers. He also gave me some dietary recommendations for the next few days.
He told me to eat bland foods such as toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, crackers, yogurt, chicken soup, or oatmeal . He said that these foods are easy to digest and can help restore the normal function of the stomach. He also told me to avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers , garlic , onions , curry , or salsa . He said that these foods can irritate the stomach and cause more pain and discomfort.
He also told me to drink plenty of fluids such as water, herbal tea, ginger ale, or sports drinks . He said that these fluids can help replenish the lost fluids and electrolytes from vomiting and diarrhea. He also told me to avoid alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, or milk . He said that these drinks can dehydrate the body and worsen the symptoms of food poisoning.
I thanked him again for his care and left the hospital with my friend. He drove me home and helped me settle in. He also offered to stay with me for a few days until I fully recovered. I accepted his offer and appreciated his kindness.
The Lessons Learned
After a week of following the doctor’s advice, I was back to my normal self. I was able to eat and drink normally without any problems. I was also able to resume my daily activities and routines. I was glad that I survived the tummy ache and that it did not cause any lasting damage to my health.
However, I also learned some valuable lessons from this experience. I learned that food poisoning is a serious and common condition that can affect anyone at any time. I learned that it is important to check the quality and safety of the food before eating it. I learned that it is important to cook the food properly and store it in the right temperature. I learned that it is important to wash the hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling the food.
I also learned that it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if the symptoms of food poisoning are severe or persistent. I learned that it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions and take the prescribed medications. I learned that it is important to eat and drink carefully until the stomach heals. I learned that it is important to have a supportive friend who can help in times of need.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others who might be suffering from a tummy ache or food poisoning. I hope that they can learn from my mistakes and prevent them from happening again. I hope that they can get the proper treatment and recover quickly. I hope that they can have a friend who can be there for them.
Tummy ache is not a joke. It can be a nightmare. But it can also be a learning opportunity. It can teach us how to take care of ourselves and our food. It can teach us how to appreciate our health and our friends. It can teach us how to survive and thrive.
