Have you ever had an urge to eat non-food items, such as clay, chalk, or ice? If you’re wondering why, you may have a disorder known as pica. This eating disorder is an urge for people to eat non-food items, and is often associated with certain health or psychological conditions. In this article, we’ll review the causes, symptoms, and ways to deal with it in Dalili Medical.

What is pica?

 

Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating substances that are not considered food and offer no nutritional value. These substances include, but are not limited to, dirt, clay, chalk, soap, hair, and even paint chips. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies pica as a feeding and eating disorder, and the behavior must last for at least a month to confirm the diagnosis.

Is pica serious?

 

The danger of this disorder is that a person eats non-food substances that may be toxic or dangerous, leading to serious health complications such as:

- Blockage of parts of the digestive system.

- Infection with various types of infections, including bacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal.

- Poisoning.

Therefore, it is necessary to go to the hospital immediately if a person shows any serious symptoms to ensure saving his life and receiving appropriate treatment.

Who is most at risk of developing pica disorder?

 

This disorder particularly affects children under the age of six and adolescents, especially those who suffer from mental or intellectual disorders. Pregnant women and people with intellectual disabilities are also among the most vulnerable groups.

What is pica disorder?

 

Pica is an eating disorder that prompts a person to eat non-food items, such as paper, clay, paint chips, dirt, or hair. Although what people with this disorder eat does not usually cause health damage, some materials such as paint chips may contain lead, which leads to poisoning.

What causes the desire to eat clay?

 

Iron deficiency is a common reason behind the desire to eat clay, especially among pregnant women and children. It is believed that the body, in its attempt to compensate for the lack of iron, resorts to alternative sources that may contain minerals, such as clay.

Why did the Prophet forbid eating clay?

 

- In Al-La'ali: Eating clay leads to the emergence of hypocrisy, and this is an important topic. - God Almighty created Adam from clay, so he forbade eating clay for his offspring, and this is another topic. - Whoever eats clay and washes with it, it is as if he ate the flesh of his father Adam and purified himself with it, and this is also a topic. - In Al-Maqasid: Eating clay is forbidden for every Muslim, as Al-Bayhaqi mentioned that there are hadiths related to its prohibition, but none of them are authentic, and others agreed with him on this opinion.

How long does pica last?

 

For children and pregnant women, the symptoms of pica often disappear within a few months without the need for treatment. If nutritional deficiency is the cause of this disorder, treating this deficiency may alleviate the symptoms. However, the condition can last for years in people with intellectual disabilities.

What is Pica Disorder?

 

Pica disorder is a type of mental disorder related to eating, where a person eats non-food and unfamiliar materials such as clay, soap, and paper. This disorder is diagnosed by a doctor if this behavior continues for more than a month. Pica disorder can lead to multiple health problems, such as poisoning from eating toxic substances or infection, but in some cases it may not cause any harm and the person stops practicing it. This disorder is also known as "pica craving" or "pica", after a type of bird known as the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) that eats strange things.

**Causes of pica**

 

Scientists have explained that there is no specific cause for pica disorder, but it can be associated with some health conditions such as:

**Malnutrition** Many people with pica suffer from a deficiency in some essential nutrients such as zinc, calcium, and iron, especially in cases of iron deficiency anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is common in children with pica, especially those who tend to eat ice or dirt.

**Mental disorders** Some cases of mental disorders, whether caused by problems during development in the womb or inherited from a parent, exist, such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

**Stress or anxiety** Some people express feelings of stress and anxiety by eating unusual things.

**Psychological factors during childhood** Pica is more common in children living in difficult socioeconomic conditions, such as poverty, as well as in cases of children who are subjected to abuse or neglect.

This behavior can also be a way to attract attention, especially if one or both parents are absent for any reason.

**Cultural and religious customs** Some types of pica are prevalent in certain cultures and religious practices, such as eating dirt in some countries in South Africa and New Mexico.

**Medical Conditions** Pica is more common during pregnancy or in the case of sickle cell anemia.

Can Pica be prevented or avoided?

 

Pica cannot be completely prevented, but proper nutrition can help reduce the severity of symptoms in some children. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the child's behavior to detect the disorder early, which helps avoid complications.

The risk of developing Pica can be reduced by keeping harmful substances out of the child's reach.

Who is most at risk for developing Pica?

 

The desire to eat non-food items can affect anyone at any age, but there are some groups that are more at risk for developing this disorder, including:

- Young children, especially those under the age of 6.

- WomenPregnant women.

- People with certain mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia.

What happens to people with pica syndrome?

 

To be diagnosed with pica syndrome, the behavior of eating non-food items must continue for at least a month.

If you have pica syndrome, you may regularly eat things like:

- Ice

- Soap

- Buttons

- Hair

- Dirt

- Sand

- Unused cigarette butts

- Cigarette ash

- Paint

- Glue

- Chalk

- Feces

**Symptoms of pica disorder**

It is important to note that the main symptom of pica disorder is eating non-food and inedible items, as most individuals with this condition prefer a specific type of non-food item.

However, eating these foreign substances can lead to other health problems, including:

- Anemia

- Roundworm infection (Ascaris)

- Imbalance of salts and minerals in the blood

- Irregular heartbeat

- Lead poisoning

- Nausea and abdominal cramps

- Diarrhea or constipation, in addition to obstruction of the small and large intestines

- Oral injuries or broken teeth from eating solids

Some of the foreign substances that people with this disorder may eat include:

- Ice, coal and ash

- Talcum powder and chalk

- Clay or dirt

- Eggshells

- Feces of any kind

- Hair or threads

- Washing powder, paint chips and soap

- Paper and gravel

- Pet food

- Wool or cloth

**How ​​to diagnose pica disorder**

To diagnose pica disorder, the following conditions must be met:

1. **Duration of behavior**: Eating non-food substances must continue for at least a month.

2. **Mental development**: The person should have passed the normal developmental stage of children, which includes putting objects in the mouth.

3. **Cultural factors**: Cultural customs that may justify this behavior should be considered.

4. **No other medical or psychological reasons**: such as nutritional deficiencies or psychological disorders.

**Medical tests used**:

- **Blood, urine and stool tests**: to detect infection or poisoning.

- **X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)**: to identify any blockage or damage to the digestive system.

**Differential Diagnosis:** It is important to distinguish between pica disorder and some other conditions that may involve similar behaviors, such as:

- Anemia

- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

- Schizophrenia

**What are the complications associated with pica syndrome?**

 

Eating some non-food substances can lead to serious complications, which may include:

- Poisoning, such as:

- Lead poisoning

- Parasitic infections, such as:

- Toxocariasis

- Ascaris worms

- Parasitic infections, such as:

- Toxocariasis

- Ascaris worms

They cause digestive disorders, such as:

- Intestinal problems

- Constipation

- Ulcers

- Perforations

- Intestinal obstruction

- Choking

They also lead to dental problems, which include:

- Severe tooth erosion

- Tooth loss

- Cracked teeth

How does Pica syndrome affect the health of the fetus?

 

Pica syndrome is considered a risk to the health of the fetus, as eating non-food substances can negatively affect the ability of the pregnant woman's body to absorb the necessary nutrients, which may lead to a deficiency in these elements and harm the fetus.

Possible effects of Pica syndrome on the health of the fetus include the following:

- Affecting the nutrients that the fetus can absorb during pregnancy.

- Disorders during childbirth.

- Low birth weight.

- Growth restriction.

- Health problems such as lead poisoning or intestinal obstruction.

- Learning disorders or behavioral problems in the future, especially if the pregnant woman ingests toxic substances.

- Life threat, as toxic substances ingested can lead to the death of the fetus or expose it to serious diseases.

**Methods of preventing Pica syndrome in pregnant women**

 

Pica syndrome appears unexpectedly, making it difficult to avoid it or reduce its risk effectively. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent it, the most important step is to ensure that you eat a balanced diet. This diet should include essential vitamins and minerals to avoid any nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to the appearance of these abnormal desires.

While a balanced diet is not considered a direct prevention of pica syndrome, it is still essential in general.

Experts recommend that pregnant women follow the following tips to reduce the risk of developing pica syndrome:

1. **Meet the nutritional needs of the pregnant woman**: Ensuring that nutritional needs are met helps manage food cravings, which reduces the frequency of cravings for non-food items.

2. **Pay attention to certain vitamins**: It is preferable to eat a diet rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium. This helps reduce the absorption of lead in the body, which protects the fetus from exposure to it.

3. **Choose foods with a specific texture**: It is recommended to eat foods with a tangible texture, as they can help reduce the desire to eat non-food items.

- Chewing gum or mints.

- Crunchy vegetables and fruits, such as celery, carrots, and apples.

- Protein-rich foods, such as beans, nuts, meat, and fish.

- Nutrient-rich foods, such as hummus, yogurt, and cheese.

**Treatment of pica**

Treatment of pica often requires a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder. If pica is linked to a nutritional deficiency, addressing that deficiency is the first step. Adding essential vitamins and minerals is an essential part of nutritional therapy. Your doctor will order a series of tests to check for iron deficiency anemia or other nutrient-deficiency problemsNext, he or she will develop a comprehensive nutritional plan and may recommend vitamins and supplements to make up for the deficiency. Including items such as iron and zinc in the diet can also help reduce the desire to eat non-food items.

**Behavioral Therapy** Behavioral therapy is commonly used to treat pica, especially in individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. Techniques such as positive reinforcement, negative conditioning, and cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in modifying behavior.

**Environmental Modification** Modifying an individual’s environment to reduce access to non-food items is an important part of treatment. This may include closely monitoring the individual, removing items that may trigger pica from their environment, and providing safer alternatives to sensory stimulation.

**Medication** In some cases, medications may be prescribed to treat underlying mental health conditions that contribute to pica. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be used to treat the obsessive-compulsive disorder associated with pica.