As the weather cools and fall approaches, we'll be eating more preserved foods than fresh. While this is fine, food that has been sitting can be a source of food poisoning. Since food poisoning can affect the large senior population in Southern Utah, it’s important to recognize the signs.

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Surprisingly, one of the most overlooked signs of food poisoning is not only overlooked, but can lead us down the wrong road, aching muscles. Many of us associate muscle aches with being sick, but this can lead us to the wrong conclusion when it comes to foodborne illness.

How Do You Know?

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So how can you tell if your muscle aches are from the flu, a cold, or simply from working out a little too hard at the gym? The key is to pay attention to other symptoms. If your stomach feels off or your digestion is affected, it might be worth making a list of the foods you've eaten over the past couple of days.

Read More: Why Frying Pans Are Suddenly Making More People Extremely Sick

If you can identify food that was expired, came from a suspicious container, or sat out longer than normal, food poisoning could be the culprit.

The Good News:

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Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash
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Most cases of food poisoning will resolve on their own with rest and self-care. In fact, most symptoms pass within a day or two. However, if your discomfort increases or you notice persistent symptoms, it’s wise to seek medical advice. Knowing what food might have caused the problem can also help in your treatment.

So, be mindful of what you eat, and don't ignore those muscle aches.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh

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