In parenthood, it is quite common to take care of children because of the behavioral instinct they have to put objects in their mouths out of simple curiosity (such as when they consume soil or grass), this being a recognized way they have to identify the elements that surround them.
There is a disorder in people, which consists of precisely the irresistible need to eat things that are not considered food, has different causes and comes to be considered a psychiatric illness.
This behavior is called “The pica” and is precisely what we are going to talk about throughout this article. We invite you to know their reasons, symptoms and applicable treatments for the behavioral restoration of the individual.
What is pica?
Pica disorder or also known as “geophagy”, is defined by theSpanish Society of Internal Medicineas an eating disorder where substances that are not nutritious and that are not considered food are ingested.
It commonly occurs in childhood, much more pronounced than in adulthood, and also during periods of gestation. The behavior is not considered a disorder until after two years of age.
Among the elements that are usually ingested are:
- Glue
- Mold
- Wall chunks
- Clay
- Cigar ashes
- Earth
- Paint shavings
- Bicarbonate
- Chalk
- Starch
Causes of pica
Although medically there is no specific reason to explain this behavior, there are elements that influence its appearance and persistence, these being the reasons why it occurs most frequently. They will be mentioned and described below for their identification and understanding.
Mental disorders
Individuals with mental disorders, mainly of high severity, usually present complementary disorders such as pica.
There are no biological reasons that explain the nature of this disorder, more often considered as present symptoms of others, where psychological and psychiatric factors are involved in its origin and maintenance.
Intellectual disabilities
Intellectual disability is considered one of the most prevalent groups where this type of behavior occurs, although in general terms the presence of pica disorder is considered scarce and partial.
The deficit that occurs with intellectual disabilities, is a qualification for the appearance, especially due to the prevalence of psychiatric diseases, in addition to the fact that they also usually present eating disorders, including or not this particular one.
It should be noted that in the presence of the disorder under these conditions, age is not a relevant factor nor does it vary with respect to it.
nutrient deficiency
In a study conducted on Pica: a portrait of a little-known clinical entity clinical entity , emphasis is placed on the evidence of zinc deficiency in the majority of patients with this disorder.
In fact, they consider that the lack of this mineral in our body, independent of the presence of other factors, multiplies the chances of suffering by 6.25 times.
On the other hand, the lack of iron can also trigger this strange desire to ingest non-food substances and this stands out in appearing above all, in a state of gestation. In fact, cases of the presence of pica in severe anemia are reported .
Hunger
Hunger is also a factor that increases the risks and needs of the organism, when consuming substances or elements that do not contain any nutritional value.
In some cases, it is a reflection of the infants that works as an alarm for the parents, but there is also a sad but quite real perspective where it happens out of necessity.
emotional trauma
Emotional disorders, which have poor emotional cognitive processing based on trauma, have the capacity to develop eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and clearly, pica.
Pregnancy
Deficiency of substances such as iron and zinc during pregnancy is the main reason for the development of this disorder at this stage.
The deficiency of these minerals can have consequences in the newborn, so if persistent and compulsive desires of this type occur, medical assistance should be sought for the relevant evaluation and subsequent indication of supplements.
symptoms of pica
Pica has certain symptoms that can help its identification and determination, especially as a guide for parents since its manifestation is usually alarming when it persists after two years of life in the infant, as previously mentioned.
Below, these symptoms will be mentioned and described for your recognition and understanding.
Cravings to eat non-food objects
This symptom is quite decisive for the alarms to go off, in case they are conscious adults.
The organism begins to send signals, which is reflected in the urgent need to consume or ingest certain substances that we recognize as non-food and even cause a certain risk to health.
Gastrointestinal obstruction
Obstruction of the digestive tract is a complication arising precisely from inadequate intake, being capable of even producing perforations, so it is important to identify the symptoms and prevent these situations.
lead poisoning
In the article on pica considered in the MSD Manual as a mental health disorder, mention is made of the existing risk of lead poisoning due to the nature of the elements that the individual ingests.
This type of poisoning presents a risk for the correct development of our brain , which can bring irreversible damage.
parasitic infections
Infections or parasitic diseases also come as a consequence of the intake of substances that are not intended to be ingested by our body. Its reason may even be fecal contamination existing in one of these elements.
Injuries to the mouth and teeth
Lesions can occur both in the mouth and on the lips, due to the texture of the ingested elements, which on many occasions can cause wounds and later infections that will affect the individual’s quality of life.
Anaemia
In cases of severe anemia or iron deficiency anemia, cases are reported due to poor nutrition and the effect of ingesting foreign bodies, being considered a psychopathological effect with adverse effects and consequences that affect the physical level and that can become serious, if not treated. intervene on time.
Treatment for pica
For the correct intervention and protection of the individual’s health, whether infant or adult, certain treatments are applied to correct behavior and avoid irreparable damage that indefinitely affects the individual’s quality of life. The main ones used will be mentioned and described below.
Behavior Modification Therapy
Care of nutritional deficits
The assistance and medical supervision to cover the daily and necessary requirements for a balance in the organism, allows that the demands are not dismissed and that deficits do not appear that drag the individual to eating disorders such as pica.
A plan is designed to expose the treatment that avoids anxiety and the triggers that can be activated affecting the patient in an irremediable way.
Implementation of home security measures
The security measures that are implemented to avoid ingesting, especially in infants, who have not developed sufficient judgment, something or element that causes a condition and that leads to later problems that influence their quality of life and include developmental drawbacks.
Avoiding access to the types of substances that children are inclined to consume, using safety restraints, and using high shelves is recommended.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.