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Journalism of Courage
In a shocking incident that has come to light, a 14-year-old reportedly died in the United States after eating an extremely spicy tortilla chip made with Carolina reaper pepper and Naga Viper — two of the world’s spiciest hottest peppers — sold in the country under the brand name ‘One Chip Challenge’. According to the BBC, following health concerns, e-commerce retailers like eBay and Amazon have removed the chip from their sites as the death of Harris Wolobah in Massachusetts also led to the product being pulled out from the shelves in retail stores.
Science Alert reported that the product comes in a coffin-shaped box adorned with a red skull and has a list of warnings, including for those with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women.
While the 14-year-old was a healthy adolescent with no medical conditions, the outlet reported that shortly after eating the tortilla chip, the boy went to his school nurse complaining of stomach pain. He was then sent home. However, he passed out shortly after and stopped breathing, the site reported.
Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad shared that there could be three mechanisms at play in such cases which have been reported earlier too. “Many people fail to read the fine print when it comes to such social media challenges. It is extremely important in the case of children as they are more prone to repercussions,” said Dr Kumar.
Spicy food does typically not cause any fatality. Extremely spicy food, on the other hand, can cause discomfort, digestive difficulties, or, in rare cases, severe allergic reactions that can be fatal in people who have already experienced certain sensitivities, described Dr Amit Mittal, head of the department and senior consultant, department, gastroenterology, Sanar International Hospitals.
According to Dr Kumar, there could be three mechanisms involved. Either an allergy to capsaicin, which is a chemical present in all spicy peppers; or it is a classic case of vasospasm (narrowing) of arteries of the heart or brain leading to heart attack, or Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS ), respectively. “RCVS is caused due to multiple narrowing of arteries in the brain resulting in a stroke-like medical condition, which fortunately reverses if the treatment is started promptly and on time,” he told indianexpress.com.
While it is not possible to comment on the case until the autopsy report emerges, any consumption of such spicy or toxic substances can result in severe anaphylaxis leading to symptoms like sudden breathlessness, and wheezing, he apprised. “It can cause instant death within a matter of a few minutes if emergency treatment is not available. This calls for extreme precaution in case of pregnant women, elderly, and children” Dr Kumar said.
According to Dr Mittal, extremely spicy foods may worsen symptoms in individuals with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or hemorrhoids. “Eating spicy food can cause temporary irritation and discomfort in the mouth and throat. This can be especially problematic for individuals with pre-existing oral health issues,” said Dr Mittal, adding that they can also cause dehydration which can increase sweating and a sensation of thirst.
As a result, it is essential to consume spicy foods in moderation, be aware of your personal tolerance, and consult a healthcare professional, added Dr Mittal.
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