The Unusual Habit of Pica

Pica can affect anyone, it is common during pregnancy and children under the age of 6. If left undiagnosed and untreated it can lead to ill health.

Pica is the unusual habit of desiring or craving to eat non food items. Typically it is common in children under the age of 6 and can also affect pregnant mothers. Adults and teenagers who develop these strange cravings often only exhibit these habits for one month before it disappears on its own. However there are some reported cases of long term pica habits. The consequences of pica can lead to some serious medical conditions if left untreated. This article discusses some of the causes of pica, the common pica cravings, the health risks and treatments for people with this disorder.

Pica Habits

Children and adults with pica commonly will crave and eat dirt, clay, animal feces, hair, ice cubes, chalk, pebbles, plaster, paint, cigarette ashes, paper, soap, glue, buttons and sand. Often these habits of eating these non food items, occurs continuously throughout the day and becomes a regular inclusion in their diets. Most children under the age of 6 will naturally place dirt or sand in their mouths as part of their exploration of their environments, but when these habits become persistent and compulsive, a diagnosis of pica can be made.

Causes of Pica

There are certain underlying conditions which can cause pica in both adults and children. Commonly a pica sufferer will crave a non food item because they are nutritionally deficient in a mineral. Iron deficiency anemia is a leading cause of pica. Zinc deficiency can also lead to pica. Often it is just an overwhelming desire to experience a different texture in the mouth that leads to pica habits. Malnutrition is another cause and it is commonly found in children with autism. Both adults and children with mental disabilities, schizophrenia and or psychosis may exhibit this habit. Other stressors that can result in pica include emotional stress, paternal neglect, maternal deprivation, family issues, poverty and pregnancy.

Diagnosing Pica

To diagnose pica, typically the sufferer needs to be exhibiting these eating habits for a period of at least a month. Blood tests can be carried out to determine an iron or zinc deficiency. Mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia also need to be ruled out first. When none of these underlying causes are present, pica is then defined as being a mental disorder similar to obsessive compulsive disorder.

Treatment

Treatment varies for each individual. Mineral supplements and dietary modifications are used for those who have iron or zinc deficiencies and typically cravings reduce slowly over a two week period. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used for people classed as having a pica mental disorder. In children, aversion therapy is an effective treatment by rewarding normal eating patterns and using negative consequences as a punishment for pica habits. Identifying and addressing underlying issues such as emotional stressors can help a sufferer to break their habits. Medications are only used to treat underlying mental disorders such as autism, psychosis and schizophrenia. In most cases, treatments are successful after a two month period but there are some cases that treatment is not effective and the sufferer continues to eat non food items with detrimental affects on their overall health.

Complications of Pica

The short term effects of pica can be less harmful to prolonged eating patterns. If pica habit involves eating paint then the sufferer is at risk of lead poisoning which can lead to stunted physical and mental growth. Glue eating is toxic to the body and quickly causes life threatening side effects. Eating fecal matter and or contaminated soil or sand can cause infection. Chalk ingestion can have detrimental affects on bone health and strength. All non food products can lead to what is called a bezoar. This is an undigested mass trapped inside the stomach which can cause blockages and hinder digestion, leading to malnutrition. Intestinal obstruction is common which requires surgery. Most of the non food items eaten by a pica sufferer are toxic to the body over the long term.

It is not unusual for women who are pregnant to have cravings for certain foods. Sometimes these cravings can include strange items that lean towards pica. These cravings typically only occur for a short period during the pregnancy but may also be toxic to both the mother and baby. The pica in most cases is a result of a mineral deficiency which a doctor can treat and suggests ways to break the cravings. Many people with pica are embarrassed about their unusual eating habits and go to great lengths to hide it from other people. If you, your child or a loved family member has pica, don’t hesitate to talk to a doctor. The treatments are usually effective and the habit can be broken.