A common characteristic of the disorder is the consistent consumption of non-nutritive substances for at least one month. There are several reasons why a person may be demonstrating behaviors associated with pica- it could be a chemical imbalance, a nutritional deficiency such as an iron deficiency or an obsessive compulsive disorder. Pica-related behaviors should be addressed immediately because of the risk of complications that can occur.
Individuals could expose themselves to serious infections and medical conditions such as parasitic infestations, ulcers, intestinal obstructions and tooth abrasions. Some people are more likely than others to be subject to this eating disorder.
Initial treatment should also deal with any consequences of pica, such as lead poisoning or infection. The psychiatric treatment of pica is challenging. Psychotherapy should focus on behaviors, the environment, and education of family members. Specifically, mild aversion therapy has proven somewhat helpful when treating pica.
For some people with pica, the disease abates after several months—essentially going away on its own. In pregnant women, iron supplementation to fix the iron deficiency anemia can also work to stop pica. However, in those with developmental disorders who first develop in pica in childhood, the disease usually continues through adulthood. If you or your child is experiencing pica, it's important to inform your physician and visit with a psychiatrist. If left unmonitored and untreated, pica can be dangerous.
Please remember that the treatment of pica often requires the participation, support, and help of all family members. Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach.
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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. That being said, there is a tendency to ascribe a special significance to pregnancy cravings. Hormes says in reality these cravings have a whole lot to do with culture , and not a lot to do with biology. If there are culture-specific beliefs around eating dirt, then women in Cameroon are as likely to crave it as women in Europe or North America might feel cravings for chocolate or ice cream.
Clay, like kaolin, seems to be the kind of soil people crave to eat the most Credit: Sera Young. Studies of animals suggest an adaptive, biological explanation could be at least part of the story.
When elephants , primates , cattle , parrots and bats engage in geophagy, for example, it is generally considered to be serving a useful purpose. Despite this, some of the same scientists who consider geophagy normal in animals still see it as abnormal in humans. Undoubtedly some cases of dirt eating do indeed involve psychiatric problems, but drawing a line is difficult. In , the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded that pathological levels of soil consumption constituted more than mg per day, but even they conceded that this was an arbitrary measurement.
Clearly there are downsides to consuming dirt. The presence of soil-borne diseases and toxic substances in the clay is a major issue, as is the possibility that the very deficiencies supposedly cured by the practice might even be caused by them. Eating dirt can even become an addiction, an impulsive act hidden from others.
To fully grasp this phenomenon, and understand whether its effects are positive, negative or a subtle mix of the two, researchers need to undertake hypothesis-driven tests that take both biomedical and cultural factors into account. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. But when South American Indians eat these potatoes in combination with alkaloid-binding clays, the potatoes are safe to consume, according to Diamond.
Medical professionals studying geophagy are also considering whether the minerals in some clays are especially beneficial for pregnant women. It may simply be that women who had this craving were more likely to survive and pass on this tendency to their offspring.
Mineral content in clays vary from region to region, but many contain high levels of calcium, iron, copper and magnesium. These are essential minerals for the human diet but even more critical during pregnancy. Dairy products like milk and cheese would provide important dietary calcium -- when these are absent, pregnant women may seek other sources.
Because not all clays are created equal, women who eat clay are very particular about which clays they consume. Joiner, who has eaten clay for over 20 years, refuses to eat certain clays because they contain sand or have a gritty taste.
The store's chalk is not as good. I could actually taste the difference. And most women who practice geophagy get their clays from sources other than the first few inches of topsoil, which have the most biological activity -- and the most bacteria, parasites and other pathogens.
Callahan believes eating clay may be a way to build up the immune system during pregnancy.
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