Pica most commonly affects children and pregnant women. The situation seems to be more common in children who suffer from disabilities. In addition, pica occurs much more frequently in developing countries and rural areas.
Although very little research has been conducted on the causes of the pica, some studies suggest that the appetite of non-food items may result from malnutrition. This is most likely in areas where food is scarce. Most pregnant women with pica gritty develop cravings for substances such as soil, which suggests that they may suffer from deficiencies in minerals.
Although some cases of pica may develop due to nutritional problems, while others seem to stem from pathological factors. For example, pica can be developed as a response to environmental stress, such as child abuse. Some researchers have suggested that pica in patients with mental retardation is caused by an inability to distinguish between food and non-food. However, this hypothesis is refuted by the evidence that the mentally disabled people with pica appear to show a marked preference for non-food substances.
People with pica most commonly crave earthy, gritty substances, such as soil, chalk, paper or clay. In some cases, patients can ingest those elements which are considered as food ingredients, such as flour, baking soda or coffee. In rarer cases, individuals are known to crave human substances, such as blood, hair, urine or their own bodies.
Untreated, pica can cause a wide range of health problems. Specifically, patients have a high risk to the ingestion of toxic substances. For example, it is not uncommon for people with experience pica poisoning. In addition, patients may develop mild to severe disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from constipation to life-threatening intestinal blockage.
Treatment for pica varies from case to case and the doctor who heals. In many cases, the treatment is essentially psychological. Aversion has been very effective in re-training with pica patients overcome their cravings. Pica which is the result of mineral deficiency can be offset by the improvement of the patient's diet. In cases where pica is caused by the development or psychological problems, the drugs can also be effective in reducing cravings for non-food items.
Although very little research has been conducted on the causes of the pica, some studies suggest that the appetite of non-food items may result from malnutrition. This is most likely in areas where food is scarce. Most pregnant women with pica gritty develop cravings for substances such as soil, which suggests that they may suffer from deficiencies in minerals.
Although some cases of pica may develop due to nutritional problems, while others seem to stem from pathological factors. For example, pica can be developed as a response to environmental stress, such as child abuse. Some researchers have suggested that pica in patients with mental retardation is caused by an inability to distinguish between food and non-food. However, this hypothesis is refuted by the evidence that the mentally disabled people with pica appear to show a marked preference for non-food substances.
People with pica most commonly crave earthy, gritty substances, such as soil, chalk, paper or clay. In some cases, patients can ingest those elements which are considered as food ingredients, such as flour, baking soda or coffee. In rarer cases, individuals are known to crave human substances, such as blood, hair, urine or their own bodies.
Untreated, pica can cause a wide range of health problems. Specifically, patients have a high risk to the ingestion of toxic substances. For example, it is not uncommon for people with experience pica poisoning. In addition, patients may develop mild to severe disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from constipation to life-threatening intestinal blockage.
Treatment for pica varies from case to case and the doctor who heals. In many cases, the treatment is essentially psychological. Aversion has been very effective in re-training with pica patients overcome their cravings. Pica which is the result of mineral deficiency can be offset by the improvement of the patient's diet. In cases where pica is caused by the development or psychological problems, the drugs can also be effective in reducing cravings for non-food items.
