Teen, 17, had to have her gallbladder removed after eating four bags of spicy chips a week

A mother says her teenage daughter had to have her gallbladder removed after eating four large bags of spicy chips per week.

Rene Craighead, from Memphis, Tennessee, said her 17-year-old daughter – also called Rene – began experiencing abdominal pain.

However, Craighead told WREG that she was surprised when the doctor told her that the teen’s gastrointestinal issues were likely to due to the hot snacks she was eating. 

Now she said she’s warning other parents so they can monitor their children’s diets to prevent a similar situation from occurring.

Rene Craighead from Memphis, Tennessee, says her 17-year-old daughter also named Rene (pictured) had to have her gallbladder removed after eating too many spicy chips

Craighead (left) said her daughter (right) would eat four big bags of hot snacks per week. She said suddenly the teenager began experiencing abdominal pain

Craighead (left) said her daughter (right) would eat four big bags of hot snacks per week. She said suddenly the teenager began experiencing abdominal pain

Craighead told the station that when she made runs to the grocery store, her daughter was always asking for hot snacks.

‘She loves them. Every time I go out she says: “Bring me back some Hot Takis, bring me back some Hot Chips”,’ Craighead said.

‘I want to make her happy, so I brought them back. She was eating big bags and would take them to school with her.’

The senior at Craigmont High School says she was likely eating four bags of spicy chips – including Hot Cheetos, Takis and Hot Fries – per week.

When she complained that her stomach was hurting, Craighead rushed her daughter to the hospital.

Doctors told the mother that her daughter needed to have surgery to remove her gallbladder – and that the hot snacks were likely a contributing factor.

When a gallbladder becomes inflamed, symptoms may not arise for years while others can have their symptoms come on rather suddenly.

‘I was surprised that my daughter was sick like that,’ Craighead said.

‘When my daughter had to have this surgery, I knew I had to tell everybody about it.’

Dr Cary Canvender, a gastroenterologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, told WREG that a number of factors contribute to gallbladder removal.

However, when the gallbladder becomes inflamed, spicy foods can aggravate inflamed tissues.

Dr Cavender did say that the staff sees a surprisingly high number of children with stomach problems due to the spicy chips.

‘We probably see around 100 kids a month, easily,’ he told the station.

Doctors told the mother (pictured) that her daughter need to have her surgery to remove her gallbladder - and that the hot snacks were likely a contributing factor

Doctors told the mother (pictured) that her daughter need to have her surgery to remove her gallbladder – and that the hot snacks were likely a contributing factor

While a number of factors can contribute to gallbladder removal, spicy foods aggravate inflamed tissues as well as cause stomach problems including acid reflux and acute gastritis

While a number of factors can contribute to gallbladder removal, spicy foods aggravate inflamed tissues as well as cause stomach problems including acid reflux and acute gastritis

While spicy foods have some health benefits – including boosting the immune system with vitamins A and C as well as speeding up the metabolism – an overindulgence is known to cause stomach problems. 

Spices are made from acids and, when a high number is digested, they start damaging the walls of your stomach, resulting in acid reflux.

Additionally, the hot snacks can trigger acute gastritis, which is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. 

Buchanan Public Relations released a statement in reference to Takis which read: ‘We assure you that Takis are safe to eat, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet. 

‘Takis ingredients fully comply with US Food and Drug Administration regulations, and all of the ingredients in each flavor are listed in detail on the label. Always check the serving size before snacking.’



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