Description
Pica is a disease of the Body.
Eating non food materials such as dirt or paper is Pica.
Lack of nutrients like Iron Deficiency, Zinc and Calcium may trigger Pica. Pica is common in young and mentally challenged children than adults. It may occur during Pregnancy also. If it is developed between the age of 18 to 25 then it is a diseased state.
Pica Syndrome may cause brain damage as the non food materials may contain poison.
The non food material includes the following items.
Ashes
Burnt matches
Clay
Coal
Chalk
Cigarette
Dirt
Erasers
Faeces
Glue
Hair
Ice
Lead
Nails
Needles
Plaster
Pebbles
Plastic
Pencil
Paper
Paint
Stones
String
Wood
Wires
Types of Pica Syndrome:
Amylophagia : The excessive consumption of purified starch is known as Amylophagia. It is more common in pregnant woman.
Coprophagy : A condition of consumption of Faeces or dung is termed as Coprophagy.
Geophagy : The excessive consumption of soil and clay.
Hyalophagia : A condition of eating glass is known as Hyalophagia.
Pagophagia : The excessive consumption of Ice is termed as Pagophagia. It is associated with iron dificiency.
Trichophagia : It is more common in females. They swallow long hair which makes a ball of hair in the Stomach.
Urophagia : A disorder of consumption of urine
Xylophagia : It is an abnormal condition of eating wood.
Causes of Pica Syndrome
Dieting
Pregnancy
Malnutrition
Food Deprivation
Traumatic Stress
Nutritional Deficiency
Mental Health Condition
Constitutional Deficiency
If not treated properly, Pica Syndrome may cause
Infection
Malnutrition
Lead Poisoning
Development Problems
Intestinal Obstruction
Materia Medica for Pica Syndrome
Single Herb Consume a small piece of Jaggery daily after meals.
Include one cup of raw Peas in your daily diet.
Consume Spinach in your daily diet either in cooked, juice or soup form.