Janet Caperna, a reality television personality featured on Bravo’s ‘The Valley,’ has publicly disclosed a serious health scare that resulted in her losing nearly 20 pounds in under two weeks. The 36-year-old star was diagnosed with acute gastritis and colitis after a period of holiday overindulgence, an experience she described as harrowing and debilitating.
The illness began after Caperna celebrated the holidays with family and friends, during which she consumed alcohol and rich foods, including a third of a cheese wheel on Thanksgiving. She initially thought she had food poisoning but soon found herself unable to stop vomiting, leading to two separate hospital visits. The constant nausea and pain left her in a state of distress, with even small sips of water triggering vomiting episodes.
Caperna detailed the physical torment, comparing the sensation to ‘hot glass moving through’ her body, and expressed that there was ‘no relief’ from the suffering. The diagnosis of acute gastritis and colitis explained the severe inflammation in her stomach and intestines, which caused excessive vomiting and rapid weight loss. This drastic change in her appearance compelled her to address it publicly on Instagram, where she shared clips discussing the ‘serious health scare.’
In her social media posts, Caperna emphasized that she did not want to ‘glamorize looking like this’ because she appeared genuinely ill. She noted that she would ‘probably look pretty unhealthy for the next few months’ as she works to regain the lost weight. Her husband and co-star, Jason Caperna, offered unwavering support in the comments, praising her strength and expressing love during this challenging time.
Background on Caperna’s health journey reveals that she had previously lost weight after giving birth to her son Cameron in 2023, achieving this through dedicated Pilates sessions and home-cooked meals rather than relying on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. She took pride in doing it ‘the hard way,’ feeling physically strong and confident before this recent setback. This context underscores the unexpected nature of her current health issues.
The cause of the illness was linked directly to her holiday indulgences, with doctors indicating that something she consumed did not agree with her body, leading to inflammation. Caperna recounted on her podcast, ‘This Side of the Hill,’ how the overconsumption triggered the condition, serving as a cautionary tale about moderation during festive seasons.
Currently, Caperna is on the mend, expressing gratitude for the support from family and friends. She shared that she is ‘finally starting to feel so much better’ and is focused on recovery. Her openness about the experience aims to shed light on the realities of gastritis and colitis, conditions that can have severe consequences if not managed properly.
Looking ahead, Caperna’s story highlights the importance of health awareness and the potential risks of overindulgence. As she continues to recover, her message resonates with others who might face similar health challenges, reminding them of the value of seeking medical attention and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
