Pica is an eating disorder characterized by cravings to consume non-food items, which is more prevalent in children and pregnant women, especially in developing countries. The causes of pica are not well understood, but it may result from malnutrition or pathological factors. Treatment varies depending on the case and may involve psychological therapy, dietary changes, or medication. Pica can lead to health problems, including poisoning and gastrointestinal issues.
During the developmental stages of childhood, it is common for most children to explore their surroundings by tasting or ingesting any number of non-food items. When the compulsion to ingest nonnutrients lasts a month or more, or persists past two years, an individual may suffer from an eating disorder known as pica. This condition is characterized by overwhelming and persistent cravings to consume items other than food.
Pica most commonly affects children and pregnant women. The condition appears to be more prevalent in children with developmental disabilities. Also, it occurs much more frequently in developing countries and rural areas.
Although very little research has been done into the causes of pica, some studies suggest that cravings for nonfood items may result from malnutrition. This is more likely in areas where food is scarce. Most pregnant women with pica develop cravings for gritty substances like soil, suggesting they may be suffering from mineral deficiencies.
While some cases of pica may develop due to nutritional problems, others appear to result from pathological factors. For example, the condition may develop as a response to environmental stress, such as child abuse. Some researchers have suggested that pica in mentally retarded patients is caused by an inability to distinguish between food and non-food items. However, this hypothesis is refuted by evidence that mentally disabled individuals with the condition appear to show a strong preference for nonfood substances.
People with pica most commonly crave earthy, gritty substances, such as earth, chalk, paper, or terracotta. In some cases, patients may ingest items that are considered food ingredients, such as flour, baking soda, or coffee grounds. In rarer cases, individuals have been known to crave human substances, such as blood, hair, urine, or parts of their own bodies.
Left untreated, pica can cause a variety of health problems. In particular, patients are at high risk of ingesting poisonous substances. For example, it is not uncommon for people with this condition to get lead poisoning. Additionally, patients may develop mild to severe gastrointestinal tract disruption, ranging from constipation to life-threatening intestinal blockage.
Treatment for pica varies depending on the individual case and the doctor who is treating it. In many cases, treatment is predominantly psychological. Aversion therapy has been very effective in retraining pica patients to overcome their cravings. Cases that are the result of mineral deficiencies can be counteracted by improving the patient’s diet. In cases where it is caused by developmental or psychological issues, medications may also prove effective in reducing cravings for non-food items.
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