:
an abnormal craving for and eating of substances
(as chalk, ashes, or bones) not normally eaten that occurs in nutritional deficiency states (as aphosphorosis) in humans or animals or in some forms of mental illness — compare geophagy.
What does pica mean?
Pica is
an eating disorder in which people compulsively
eat one or more nonfood items, such as ice, clay, paper, ash, or dirt. Pagophagia is a subtype of pica.
What is the cause of pica?
The most common causes of pica include:
pregnancy
.
developmental conditions
, such as autism or intellectual disabilities. mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia.
What are the signs of pica?
- Nausea.
- Pain in the stomach (or abdominal cramping which can indicate that there may be an intestinal blockage)
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach ulcers (which may cause blood in the stools)
- Symptoms of lead poisoning (if paint chips that contain lead are ingested)
How do you fix pica?
Treating pica involves
behaviors, the environment, and family education
. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can pica be caused by stress?
In addition, pica symptoms sometimes increase when an individual is
experiencing extreme stress and anxiety
. Many pica eating disorders begin in childhood and relate to childhood experiences.
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 a symptom of anemia?
Pica is not a cause of iron deficiency anemia; pica is
a symptom of iron deficiency anemia
. It is the link between iron deficiency anemia and lead poisoning, which is why iron deficiency anemia should always be sought when a child is diagnosed with lead poisoning.
Can pica lead to death?
Generally, fatalities after pica depend on the type and amount of material ingested. The most common lethal complications of pica include
intestinal obstruction and perforation with peritonitis and generalized sepsis
.
At what age can pica be diagnosed?
Most cases of pica happen in young children and pregnant women. It’s normal for kids up to 2 years old to put things in their mouth. So the behavior isn’t usually considered a disorder unless a child is
older than 2
.
