Spicy foods if sick???!
Answers: would it be good for me to eat spicy foods (like kim chee ramen) if i'm sick? would it benefit me or make me worse??
If you have stomach flu or upset stomach, stay away from spicy foods and stick to the BRAT diet (bread, rice, apples, tea) for couple days. Spicy food and upset stomach is the worst possible combination.
If you have a cold or a headache but your stomach is fine, go for the spicy stuff- it dilates your blood vessels, and it clears your head and throat.
Depends on what kind of sick...Cold, upper respiratory Great, spicey foods clear up mucous and will put germ on the run. Stomach or intestinal flu symptoms I would think twice, cause you will be living in the potty....Can irritate those bowels....
Generally, spicy foods (things that have high levels of pepper) in them increase your heart rate, which in turn increases your blood pressure. Sometimes, having that happen when you are already feeling nauseous (sick to your stomach) could cause you to feel like you have to vomit.
Sometimes, things like Kim Chee (pickled cabbage) can can make 'stomach flu' (VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS) worse:
Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis is often caused by the NOROVIRUS)
What is stomach flu?
Stomach flu is a viral infection that affects the stomach and small intestine. It is also called viral gastroenteritis. The illness is usually brief, lasting 1 to 3 days.
How does it occur?
Gastroenteritis is caused by swallowing certain viruses. The body fluids of infected people contain the virus, sometimes even before their symptoms begin. The virus can be spread by direct contact with an infected person (for example, kissing or shaking hands) or by sharing food, drink, or eating utensils.
The virus enters the stomach and intestine and inflames the lining of these organs. As a result, the stomach and intestine are temporarily unable to perform their usual functions. The virus can also cause food to move more rapidly through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Some bacteria and other tiny organisms called protozoa can cause infections that have symptoms similar to those of stomach flu.
What are the symptoms?
When you have stomach flu, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
? fatigue
? chills
? loss of appetite
? nausea
? vomiting
? stomach cramps
? diarrhea
? low-grade fever
? muscle aches.
The illness may develop over a period of hours, or it may suddenly start with stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will review your symptoms. He or she may examine you and order lab tests to rule out more serious illnesses, such as appendicitis, and to detect complications, such as dehydration.
How is it treated?
The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestines. You can do this by first eating nothing and drinking only clear liquids. A little later you can eat soft bland foods that are easy to digest.
During the vomiting phase of the illness it is best to have only small, frequent sips of liquids. Drinking too much at once, even an ounce or two, may cause more vomiting.
Your choice of liquids is important. If water is the only liquid you can drink without vomiting, that is okay. However, if you have been vomiting frequently for a long time, you must replace the minerals, sodium and potassium, that are lost when you vomit. Ask your health care provider what sport drinks or medical products could help you replace these minerals.
Other clear liquids you can drink are weak tea and apple juice. You may also drink soft drinks without caffeine (such as 7 UP) after letting them lose some of their carbonation (go flat). Chilling the liquids may help you keep them down. Avoid liquids that are acidic (such as orange juice) or caffeinated (such as coffee) or have a lot of carbonation. Do not drink milk until you no longer have diarrhea.
You may start eating soft bland foods when you have not vomited for several hours and are able to drink clear liquids without further upset. Soda crackers, toast, noodles, applesauce, and bananas are good first choices. Avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, fatty, or fibrous (meats, coarse grains, vegetables) and dairy products. You may start eating these foods again in 3 days or so, when all signs of illness have passed.
Sometimes treatment includes prescription medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. Nonprescription medicine is available for the treatment of diarrhea and is very effective. If you use it, make sure you use the dose recommended on the package. Before you use any medicine
for diarrhea, always check with your health care provider first.
If you have been vomiting for more than a day or have had diarrhea for over 3 days, call your health care provider. You may need to have a physical exam to rule out more serious problems and to check for dehydration. You may also need to have lab tests to determine whether bacteria or protozoa are causing your illness.
Dehydration is a potentially serious complication of stomach flu. It can occur if your body loses too much fluid because you keep vomiting or having diarrhea. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to be given fluids intravenously (IV). In children and the elderly, dehydration can quickly become life threatening.
How long do the effects last?
Stomach flu rarely lasts longer than 1 to 3 days. However, it may be 1 to 2 weeks before your bowel habits return completely to normal.
Call your health care provider if:
? You continue to have severe symptoms for more than 2 or 3 days.
? Minor symptoms persist for several days (for example, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea).
? You develop symptoms that are not usually caused by stomach flu, such as blood in your vomit or bloody diarrhea.
How can I take care of myself?
Rest your stomach and intestines by following the guidelines above, but make sure you prevent dehydration by drinking enough liquids. Drink just small amounts frequently during the vomiting phase of your illness.
What can I do to help prevent stomach flu?
The single, most helpful way to prevent the spread of stomach flu is frequent, thorough hand washing. Also, avoid contact with the body fluids of an infected person, including saliva.
HOPE THIS ALL HELPS!!!!!
Ginger will settle your stomach, but I'd stay away from the other stuff.
Better if u avoid spicy food when sick.
Depending on how you feel. If your sick to your stomach then I suggest that you shouldn't be eating spicy foods try something smoothing w/o spicy. You'll get the runs.
If you don't have a stomach ache or going potty alot & youre used to spicy foods then why not, try it.
60 years ago, my mother had been sick. She was a girl at the time. Had not eaten in days. Grandma said mom woke her up one night, asking for sardines. Granddaddy woke up the store owner to buy a can of sardines. They were so worried ...they were happy to give her anything she asked for as long as she would eat.
Her brother also craved sardined when ill. ha ha