pica

pica

         this eating disorder involves repeated or chronic ingestion of non_nutrient substance.the age of onset is 1 to 2 years of age but may be earlier.pica usually remits in childhood but can be continue also in adulthood.

what is pica 

Pica is an eating disorder in which a person compulsively eats things that are not food and have no nutritional value or purpose. Depending on when and why a person does it, pica can be normal, expected, and harmless. However, it can cause major problems if a person with this condition eats something toxic or dangerous.

Prevalence.

Pica is a fairly common condition, but experts aren't sure how common it is. This is partly because research studies often do not use the same definition of the condition.

 another reason is that infants and young children often put things in their mouths, which is part of their normal development. This kind of pika usually disappears on its own very quickly.

Who can be pica affected?

Pica can happen to anyone at any age, but it usually occurs in three specific groups of people:

Small children, especially those under the age of 6.

People who are pregnant.

People with certain mental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability or schizophrenia.

Effects of pica

Depending on what you eat, pica can damage your teeth. It can also lead to dangerous problems even if you eat things that are not toxic. An example is when people eat hair known as trichophagia  which can get stuck in their digestive tract and cause blockage, tearing or other damage.

Parasites that live in the soil can also infect people who eat dirt or clay. People can also become infected by eating feces (poop), especially pet feces, which may contain parasites or other germs.

People with pica are often embarrassed or ashamed of the condition. For this reason, people with this condition often do not seek treatment or are afraid to open up about it to their health care provider.

What are the symptoms of pica?

The only symptom of pica is the compulsive eating of things that are not food or have no nutritional value or benefit. 

Constipation.

Electrolyte imbalance.

Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

Lead poisoning.

Obstruction/blockage of the small and large intestine.

Common non-food items

People with pica often eat the following:

Ash,Baby or talcum powder,Chalk,Charcoal,

dirt or soil.Coffee grounds,Eggshells

Feces (poop) of any kind,Hair, string or thread,

Ice,Washing starch,Paint chips,Paper,Pebbles,

Pet food,Soap,Wool or fabric.

What causes pica?

Experts don't know exactly why pica occurs. However, scientists know that certain factors increase the risk of developing it.

Stress or anxiety. 

Pica can be an outlet or coping mechanism for people with these issues.

Negative states in childhood.

 Pica is more common in children living in low socioeconomic situations (such as poverty), but why this occurs is unknown. Some possible explanations include that pica is a mechanism for children to cope with situations of abuse or neglect. It can also be attention-seeking behavior, especially when one or both parents are absent for whatever reason.

Nutritional deficiencies. 

People who show signs of pica often have mineral or other deficiencies in their diet. Lack of iron (anemia), calcium, and zinc are some of the most common reasons people experience these symptoms.

Mental health conditions.

 These include conditions that can develop spontaneously in a person, conditions that are present at birth due to developmental disorders in the womb, and genetic disorders that are inherited from parents.

Health conditions. Pregnancy and sickle cell disease are two conditions that have been linked to pica.

How is pica treated and is there a cure?

Pica in pregnant people usually goes away on its own. Children also usually grow out of spades, especially when someone teaches them the difference between edible and inedible items and objects. For children with intellectual disabilities (or other problems that interfere with learning), removal of problematic items and supervision is very important.

The main form of treatment for pica is therapy, with different therapeutic methods available depending on the situation and individual needs. Possible therapeutic methods include:

Mild aversive therapy. 

This method involves teaching people to avoid pica behaviors by using mild aversions (consequences) to teach people to avoid non-food items and positively reinforce (reward) healthy eating behaviors.

Behavioral therapy. 

This therapeutic method involves teaching the person coping mechanisms and strategies to help them change their behavior.

Differential reinforcement. 

In this method, people learn to avoid pica behaviors by focusing on other behaviors and activities.

There are very few medications that are likely to help with pica. Antipsychotic drugs can help, but possible side effects usually prevent these drugs from being widely used.