Pica is
an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food
. Young kids often put non-food items (like grass or toys) in their mouths because they’re curious about the world around them. But kids with pica (PIE-kuh) go beyond that.
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)
What are the 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.
How do you fix pica?
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.
Is pica a form of autism?
“Pica, a
potentially life-threatening disorder
, is common in children with autism or intellectual disability.
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 do you get rid of pica in humans?
How is pica treated? Your doctor will probably begin by treating any complications you’ve acquired from eating nonfood items. For example, if you have severe lead poisoning from eating paint chips, your doctor may prescribe
chelation therapy
. In this procedure, you’ll be given medication that binds with lead.
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 eating ice considered pica?
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.
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.
How do you prevent pica?
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 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 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.
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
.
Why do kids eat chalk?
People experiencing
food insecurity or hunger pain
may find themselves drawn to eating chalk. While your brain knows chalk isn’t food, your body can see chalk as a solution to a hunger pang or a nutritional deficit, signaling a desire or “craving” for it.
