pica
Pica disorder
Pica is a compulsion to eat non food items when it is considered to be developmentally inappropriate for a time length of no less than one month. This disorder, also known as a “phenomenon” has been around since ancient times, with certain cultures accepting this not as a disorder, but as an accepted practice. There are several categories for describing pica. Some of the most commonly described types of pica are eating earth, soil or clay (Geophagia), ice (Pagophagia), and starch (Amylophagia) in humans. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/pica.aspx) Pica is usually noticed in pregnancy, developmental delay and mental retardation, psychiatric disease and autism, early childhood, poor nutrition, lack of specific nutrients, vitamins, and/or minerals, and certain specific religions and their corresponding specific traditions. The specific causes for Pica are unknown, but certain conditions and situations can increase a person’s risk:
Nutritional deficiencies such as iron and zinc
Dieting- consuming non food items to obtain a feeling of “fullness”
Malnutrition-especially in underdeveloped countries
Cultural factors such as family practices and religious factors
Parental neglect, lack of supervision, or food deprivation
Developmental problems
Mental health conditions
Pregnancy
Epilepsy
Brain damage
(http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=146&article_set=22148)
Research suggests that there is no known cause for this disorder. In most studies into the disorder, the “habit” of eating non-nutritive substances usually clears up on its on terms for no known reason. Nevertheless, this disorder should be considered serious, as there are multiple risk factors up to and including death that present as outcomes. Pica has been shown to be a predisposing factor in accidental ingestion of poisons, particularly lead poisoning. The ingestion of bizarre or unusual substances has also resulted in
Pica is a compulsion to eat non food items when it is considered to be developmentally inappropriate for a time length of no less than one month. This disorder, also known as a “phenomenon” has been around since ancient times, with certain cultures accepting this not as a disorder, but as an accepted practice. There are several categories for describing pica. Some of the most commonly described types of pica are eating earth, soil or clay (Geophagia), ice (Pagophagia), and starch (Amylophagia) in humans. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/pica.aspx) Pica is usually noticed in pregnancy, developmental delay and mental retardation, psychiatric disease and autism, early childhood, poor nutrition, lack of specific nutrients, vitamins, and/or minerals, and certain specific religions and their corresponding specific traditions. The specific causes for Pica are unknown, but certain conditions and situations can increase a person’s risk:
Nutritional deficiencies such as iron and zinc
Dieting- consuming non food items to obtain a feeling of “fullness”
Malnutrition-especially in underdeveloped countries
Cultural factors such as family practices and religious factors
Parental neglect, lack of supervision, or food deprivation
Developmental problems
Mental health conditions
Pregnancy
Epilepsy
Brain damage
(http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=146&article_set=22148)
Research suggests that there is no known cause for this disorder. In most studies into the disorder, the “habit” of eating non-nutritive substances usually clears up on its on terms for no known reason. Nevertheless, this disorder should be considered serious, as there are multiple risk factors up to and including death that present as outcomes. Pica has been shown to be a predisposing factor in accidental ingestion of poisons, particularly lead poisoning. The ingestion of bizarre or unusual substances has also resulted in