By Morgan F Turley

Pica is not a very well-known term when it comes to eating disorders; nonetheless, it is as serious as anorexia or bulimia which are more well-known. Pica, which originates from a Latin word that means ‘magpie’, is a condition in which an individual eats or craves things that are not considered to be food including:

– clay

– cornstarch

– dirt

– sand

– laundry starch

– baking soda

– cigarette ashes

– rocks/stones

– plaster

– newspapers

– paper

– paint

– feces

– glue

– soap

Pica usually starts in early childhood and usually only last for a few months. It has been noted that in children who suffer from developmental delays, it may be much harder to manage. Pregnant women have reported having the same types of cravings during their pregnancies.

The warning signs include:

* repeated ingestion of non-food items, especially after having tried to stop the child from eating them

* the child is older than two years of age and still tries to ingest non-food items

Complications of Pica in Children

Potentially, as with any eating disorder, there are complications associated with this order such as:

– Some items, like paint chips, may have toxins and ingesting them could cause poisoning. This is the biggest concern with pica due to the potential of brain damage and learning disabilities within children.

– A concern of nutritional deficiencies occurs with the consumption of non-food items which may cause a loss of appetite.

– Eating non-digestible items such as rocks/stones can lead to blockages within the digestive tract (bowels, intestines). Sharp objects can lead to tears within the intestines as well.

– Parasites or bacteria from clay, sand, and dirt can cause infections that can damage organs like the liver or kidney.

Complications of Pica in Pregnant Women

Pregnant women have reported cravings for non-food items such as starch, toilet paper, dirt, clay and chalk. Although these cravings usually disappear after the first trimester, it is important for pregnant women to let the OBGYN know of these cravings in case any testing needs to be done. Don’t be ashamed to admit the cravings, it’s more common than you may think.

Diagnosing Pica

If you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from pica, it is important to seek medical attention at once. Intestinal blockages, tears in the lining, and failure to thrive are serious concerns for young children and need to be assessed as soon as possible. Your physician will complete a full physical exam, including blood tests and x-rays, checking for substances that may be in the blood as well as poisons. He or she will also check for possible infections that may have been caused by bacteria consumed with the non-food items. Your doctor will also ask questions regarding regular eating habits of the child prior to the current issues.

It is important that you not get upset if your physician mentions mental retardation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or developmental disabilities. He or she will need to eliminate the possibilities of other disorders which may cause the odd eating patterns.

About the Author: I write for TIR Massage Stone about

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Source:

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