What causes pica?
There's no single cause of pica
. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be associated with pica. For example, anemia, usually from iron deficiency, may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women.
What are some causes of pica?
- pregnancy.
- developmental conditions, such as autism or intellectual disabilities.
- mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia.
- cultural norms that view certain nonfood substances as sacred or as having healing properties.
- malnourishment, especially iron-deficiency anemia.
What are the 2 most common causes of pica?
Iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition
are two of the most common causes of pica, followed by pregnancy. In these individuals, pica is a sign that the body is trying to correct a significant nutrient deficiency. Treating this deficiency with medication or vitamins often resolves the problems.
What are the signs of pica?
- Stomach upset.
- Stomach pain.
- Blood in the stool (which may be a sign of an ulcer that developed from eating nonfood items)
- Bowel problems (such as constipation or diarrhea)
How is pica treated?
One form of treatment associates the pica behavior with negative consequences or punishment (mild aversion therapy). Then the person gets rewarded for eating normal foods. Medicines
may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior
if pica is part of a developmental disorder such as intellectual disability.
How do you prevent pica?
Can Pica Be Prevented?
There is no specific way to prevent pica
. However, careful attention to eating habits and close supervision of children known to put things in their mouths may help catch the disorder before complications can occur.
Is pica an anxiety disorder?
Pica is often comorbid with
other psychiatric disorders
, especially anxiety and depression. What are the dangers? It is vital for those suffering from pica to seek the care of a medical doctor or mental health professional. Incidences of pica have increased in recent years among adults.
Is pica caused by anemia?
Doctors use the term “pica” to describe craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value — such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency, with or
without anemia
, although the reason is unclear.
What does pica stand for?
Pica (/ˈpaɪkə/ PIE-kuh) is a
psychological disorder characterized by an appetite
for substances that are largely non-nutritive. The substance may be biological such as hair (trichophagia) or feces (coprophagia), natural such as ice (pagophagia) or dirt (geophagia), and otherwise chemical or manmade (as listed below).
How common is pica in adults?
Pica in
adults is not very common
. However, it can be seen in many cultures and may even be encouraged to increase fertility.
Is pica a form of autism?
“Pica, a
potentially life-threatening disorder
, is common in children with autism or intellectual disability.
What happens if pica is left untreated?
Even though pica disorder can be hard to detect in some individuals, it poses serious threats that
could prove fatal
if left untreated. Substances ingested could be poisonous, contain toxic chemicals, or be ridden with bacteria.
What are the complications of pica?
Complications of pica include:
inherent toxicity
; intestinal obstruction (such as that occurring with trichophagia, or hair eating); excessive caloric intake (such as that occurring with starch); nutritional deprivation; parasitic infections; and dental injury.
How does pica affect the brain?
Individuals with pica often have mental health disorders that result in impaired functioning. These disorders include developmental disabilities,
brain damage
, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia.
How can I satisfy pica cravings?
- Inform your health care provider and review your prenatal health records.
- Monitor your iron status along with other vitamin and mineral intake.
- Consider potential substitutes for the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum.
Is pica inherited?
I've never seen
any literature suggesting pica is an inherited disorder
. I will note that a study (cited below in my response to question nine) suggests that Sickle Cell Disease is associated with a relatively high rate of pica and Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited condition.
