Oct 18 - Why Flamin' Hot Cheetos are sending kids to ER

Why Flamin' Hot Cheetos are sending kids to ER - CBS News







It's not only the schools: Some doctors are taking issue with Flamin' Hot Cheetos because they are leading to unnecessary emergency room visits.

Several school districts in New Mexico, California and Illinois have made the move to ban the snacks from their campuses because they lack nutritional value, and research suggests the snacks may create a brain response similar to what is seen in individuals who are addicted to illicit substances. But, medical professionals are saying there's other health fears[..]ociated with the snack that are leading to doctor's visits.

Because the spicy snack contains a lot of red food dye, it can turn the stools of people who eat large quantities red or orange. Parents and kids may mistakenly[..]ume that it is a sign of blood in the stool, leading to panicked trip to the hospital.

The good news is that nothing is probably wrong, according to experts.

"Food such as beets or red peppers can make stool appear red, however it is not actually blood in the stool," Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician for Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told CBSNews.com.

Other foods with dyes that have also been reported to cause red stool include the dye found in red velvet cake.

But, St. Louis Children's Hospital pediatrician Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann pointed out to CBS station KMOX-TV in St. Louis, Mo. that you have to eat quite a bit of the red snack to see red in your stool. It may be it may be a sign of another health risk -- over-eating.

"So even though we might eat some foods with red food dye in them regularly, our stool doesn't usually become discolored unless you eat huge amounts of it," Berchelmann said. "Flamin' Hot Cheetos is one food that people will eat enormous amounts of and will see a change in their stool."

Glatter said that active bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract -- which includes the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and the first portion of the small bowel -- actually leads to stool that is black in color. Bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, which includes the most of the small intestine, tends to be bright red or maroon in color.

To confirm if you are bleeding, doctors will run a fecal occult blood test. There are some other foods that can cause a false positive for blood in stool, including red meat, melons, (including cantaloupe), figs, horseradish, cauliflower, turnips and radishes so if you have been eating a lot of these items be sure to tell your doctor.

But red stool isn't the only problem that is sending kids who eat Flamin' Hot Cheetos to the ER.

"A number of patients who have consumed these Cheetos in excess have complained of pain in their upper abdomen, rising up into their chest, likely due to due to the red peppers and spice contained in the snack," Glatter said.

He warned that people with a history of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux -- which may cause heartburn and acid reflux -- should avoid the spicy treat because it can lead to a flare-up of their conditions.

But a few years ago, an analysis of 21 of the most conclusive studies found compelling evidence that, indeed, artificial dyes could contribute to hyperactivity, restlessness, and attention problems in some children – particularly those with ADHD. What's more, the studies suggested that removing dyes from those children's diet was a quarter to half as effective in reducing those symptoms as giving the kids Ritalin or other stimulants. In other words, certain kids with ADHD might not need drugs if the artificial dyes were removed from their diets.

This and when I mention things like this to the Flamin Hot diet childrens' parents, they all but laugh in my face.........Tried to tell em.......[pic]

cats never watched the episode of magic school bus when Arnold turned orange?

[pic]

As i was reading the article......this was what popped in my head. You sir....got props

Takis give you some mad firehole

They got extra hot now or justa new name?

Those been around for a minute I know they used to sell em around here when I was little but, for some reason got discontinued.

When I was in school people used to eat these damn things uncontrollably. Like, always see them with a bag and refusing the school lunch just so they could eat their flaming hots. You have to be crazy to pass up on your basic nutritional needs like that. Hope all of em got burning b00ty holes after eating all that garbage.

flaming hots w/cream cheese [pic]

eating hot cheetos > takin ritalin anyday of the week

didn't know yet not surprised. all the !! that they put in the food is no good for you, most people just eat it cuz it tastes good.

women don't like to listen too tough. especially black women. i have convos all the time about this to young women, mothers, and they just can't hear anything other than what they already know. even if you bring all kinds of facts to the situation. i know what i eat. you can lead a horse to water but you can't it make it drink it especially if it's not thirsty or if it just finished drinking some kool aid. [pic][pic][pic][pic]

Brb I need to try these.

Exactly..then they wonder why they have all these health problems later in life

da fk i aint never seen xtra hot

I'll stick to Hot Fries...Andy Capp got that work.

[pic] them !!s arent even that hot to me

LOL flamin hot cheetos are what cause the issues you need ritalin for.

more poison...

and EVERYONE in the hood be eatin these !!s too.. [pic]

!!ing, ppl need to curb the bull!! they let their children consume... it's all sodium, fat, preservatives, dye and [rip]..

i used to eat this sht all the time in high school until i figured out that sht was making my skin break out