Pika syndromeIndividuals with a must eat non-nutritional or non-food items. Pikais classified as an eating disorder.
Person with pica diseasecan eat harmless things like ice. Or it could eat potentially dangerous things, such as dry paints or pieces of metal.
Pika patients They regularly eat non-food products. Pika In order to qualify as a person, the behavior must continue for at least a month.
People with Picaother substances that may be requested by; ice, dirt, clay, hair, burnt match pieces, chalk, soap, coins, unused remainder of a cigarette, cigarette ashes, sand, buttons, glue, carbonate, mud, starch, paper, cloth, pebble, charcoal, rope , wool, feces ..
In some cases, pica syndrome can lead to serious consequences such as lead poisoning.
This syndrome is most common in children and pregnant women. It is usually temporary.
Fakat a person with pica syndromeEat nobody can help, those who eat non-food items should immediately consult a doctor. Treatment will help avoid potentially serious side effects.
Pika It is also seen in people with mental disabilities. It is usually more severe and long-lasting in people with severe developmental disabilities.
What is Pica Disease?
People with pica wants to eat things that are not food.
However, there is currently no single way to classify this behavior. Healthcare professionals need to test a range of different conditions, including mental health conditions, to try to identify the possible cause.
Pika syndrome usually develops in people with mental health problems but pica patientsNot all of them have mental health problems.
Pika it is also more common in children and pregnant women. However, how many people are pika It is difficult to guess. also children with pica can hide this behavior from their parents.
Experts, some groups risk of developing picathinks higher.
People of nationalities where dirt eating is common
What are the Causes of Pica Syndrome?
Pika syndromeThere is no single reason for this. In some cases, iron, zinc or a deficiency of another nutrient is associated with this syndrome.
For example, anemia, often caused by iron deficiency, in pregnant women pikamay be the underlying cause.
Unusual cravings may be a sign that your body is trying to replenish low nutrient levels.
People with certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) pica syndrome can improve.
Some people may even crave the textures or flavors of certain non-food items. In some cultures, eating clay is an accepted behavior. It pica formis called geophagia.
Diet and malnutrition can also lead to pica syndrome. In these situations, eating non-food items helps you feel full.
Pica Syndrome Risk Factors
Of person pika The factors that can lead to development are:
Dependence on harmful, toxic or illegal substances
Bad influence in your social circle
Malnutrition at home
Lovelessness
Mental handicap
- Distractibility
How Is Pica Diagnosed?
Pika syndrome There is no test for The doctor will diagnose this condition based on the past and several other factors.
The person should be honest with the doctor about the non-food items he eats. This will help develop an accurate diagnosis.
When the person does not know what he is eating, pika It can be difficult for the doctor to determine whether or not The same is true for children or people with mental disabilities.
The doctor may order a blood test to find out if zinc or iron levels are low. This will help determine if there is an underlying nutrient deficiency such as iron deficiency. Nutrient deficiencies sometimes pika may be related.
What are the Symptoms of Pica Syndrome?
Pica diseaseThe primary symptom of is eating things that are not food.
PikaIt differs from the normal behavior of babies and young children who put objects in their mouths. Pika patients He will persistently try to eat non-food products.
Pika patientscan develop a wide variety of other symptoms, including:
Some like eating ice pica speciesWhen their general diet is relatively normal, they pose little health risk. But other pica species can be life threatening.
For example, eating paint chips is dangerous - especially if the paint chips come from old buildings where the paint might contain lead.
Pika syndromeSome of the possible complications are:
Drowning
- Poisoning
Damaging the brain from eating lead or other harmful substances
Breaking teeth
Ulcer development
- Damage to the digestive system by causing injury to the throat
Gastrointestinal problems such as bloody stools, constipation or diarrhea
Certain non-food items pose specific risks when eaten:
Paper ingestion is associated with mercury toxicity.
Soil or clay ingestion is associated with parasites, constipation, low vitamin K levels and lead poisoning.
Ice ingestion is associated with tooth decay and sensitivity as well as iron deficiency.
Excessive starch consumption is associated with iron deficiency and increased blood sugar levels.
- Other random non-food items can carry a wide variety of toxic contaminants, including lead, mercury, arsenic and fluoride; The consequences of consuming toxic chemicals can be fatal and cause permanent damage to the brain or body.
Pica Syndrome During Pregnancy
During pregnancy pika is a common situation. In a study looking at its prevalence worldwide during pregnancy, more than a quarter of women were pregnant. pica syndrome was found to have lived.
Pika syndromeIt can occur during pregnancy, especially in women with nutrient deficiency.
Women who have unusual cravings during pregnancy should request an iron test from their doctor. In most cases, taking iron supplements will help reduce these cravings.
Pica patient pregnant women should resist the tendency to eat non-food items to avoid harm to the fetus.
It is necessary to address distractions such as chewing something else, finding foods with a similar texture to eat, or doing something relaxing.
Pica Syndrome in Children
Due to their age and their desire to get to know the outside world, it is known that children under the age of 2 put non-food products into their mouths and even try to eat them.
Pica diagnosis The minimum age for this is 24 months. Therefore, pika It can be considered normal in children 18-36 months old.
In children pika The incidence decreases significantly with age, and only 12% of children older than 10 years have any pika reports the behavior.
Pica Disease Treatment
Your doctor will likely begin to treat complications caused by eating non-food items.
For example, if you are experiencing severe lead poisoning from eating paint particles, the doctor may recommend chelation therapy. In this treatment, drugs that bind to lead are given and the lead is excreted in the urine.
Doctor, pica syndromeHe may prescribe vitamin or mineral supplements if he or she thinks it is caused by nutritional imbalances For example, iron deficiency anemia If diagnosed, she recommends taking regular iron supplements.
Pica patient If the person with a mental disability or mental health condition has a mental disability, medications to manage behavioral problems can also help reduce or eliminate the desire to eat non-nutritious items.
In pregnant women pica, It may disappear on its own after birth.
Will Pika Patients Get Better?
In children and pregnant women pica disease it usually goes away within a few months without treatment. Pika syndromeIf nutrient deficiencies are caused, treating it will alleviate symptoms.
Pika does not always heal. It can last for years, especially in mentally disabled people.
Can Pika be Prevented?
Pika irrepressible. Eating right can prevent some children from developing it. If you pay close attention to their eating habits and supervise children who tend to put things in their mouths, you can catch the disorder early before complications arise.
To your child pika If diagnosed, you can reduce the risk of him eating non-food items by keeping these items out of reach in your home.
Adult pica patientsIt is much more difficult to control.
Pica patient are you Do you know someone who has pica? What kinds of things do they eat? You can leave a comment about the situation.
