It’s pretty harmless to eat ice for example, but eating other things can be highly dangerous. The effects depend on what has been eaten. These include for example – soil, ice, clay, paint, eggshells, coffee grounds, paper, soap, charcoal, hair and even human or animal poo. People suffering from pica may eat a huge variety of things. What kind of things do people with pica eat? Mental health conditions – Pica is more common in those with learning disabilities, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania (pulling out hair) and schizophrenia.Pregnant women – In one American study 27.8-68% of pregnant women experienced pica.Children – The disorder is said to affect 10-30% of children between the ages of 1 to 6 years.Adults – In one Eating Disorder Clinic, 4% of adult men and women had pica.Research has shown that pica most commonly affects young children, pregnant women and those with mental health conditions. According to BEAT (the ‘Beat Eating Disorders’ Charity), the number of requests for help with pica has doubled in the past 2 years. People may be secretive about what they are eating and the disorder may well remain hidden for a long time before a diagnosis is made. It’s more difficult to establish the prevalence for people living independently, where the condition is often hidden and unrecognised. The condition is most common in people living in institutions in whom the prevalence is between 4-26%. The name originates from the Latin word pica which means magpie – the bird which eats just about anything. By definition it involves eating substances which are non-food items. Pica is an eating disorder in which sufferers have dietary cravings for eating things with no nutritional value. ![]() But who can be affected, what are the causes, and what else is there to know? Since pica is also common among those with OCD, developmental disabilities, and mental health issues, the doctor will also have to check for these as an underlying cause for the unusual eating behavior.Image © estherpoon | iStock Pica is a feeding disorder where the sufferer craves to eat non-food substances such as soil, ice or clay. One key test is for anemia, since iron deficiency is closely linked to the risk of having pica. At times, blood tests and X-rays may also be needed. In addition, the doctor will check for any intestinal blockages or toxicity resulting from the consumption of non-food substances. You’ll also have to share your complete medical history as well as minute details of your eating habits. To establish whether or not you have pica, your doctor will conduct a few checks and tests. Evidence of non-food objects like bits of plastic or strings or little stones in the stoolsįor your problem to be diagnosed as pica, the baseline is at least one month of these cravings and consumption of non-food, non-nutritional objects.Trouble telling apart non-food objects from food (for instance, the child may nibble on a plastic or paper plate or table mat).Constantly on the lookout for such objects to eat.6 Other symptoms of these deficiencies may manifest alongside the eating disorder – such as, skin diseases, allergies, and poor immunity due to zinc deficiency fatigue, frequent illnesses, joint pain, and anemia due to copper deficiency and muscle cramps and twitches, anxiety, and irregular heartbeat due to magnesium deficiency. ![]() ![]() Zinc, Magnesium, And Copper Deficiencyīesides iron, researchers and medical professionals surmise that a deficiency of other essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and copper could also cause pica cravings. 5 Alongside the craving for odd foods, you may also experience dizziness, headache, lethargy, and shortness of breath, all of which are common in iron-deficiency anemia. You could then substitute these odd non-food items with a proper, prescribed iron supplement – giving your body the nourishment it needs, the right way. ![]() 4 So, if you have unusual cravings, it may be a good idea to get your iron levels checked. Research from the American Dietetic Association journal confirms that pregnancy-related pica cravings are linked to iron deficiency. If you are anemic or are pregnant and have low iron levels, you may have cravings as a result of iron deficiency. Iron Deficiency, Usually In Pregnant Women
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