Individuals with pica disorder also have a higher risk of developing very serious health problems such as abdominal pain, intestinal and colon obstruction. Lead poisoning in children can lead to serious impairment of intellectual and physical development. The clinical consequences of pica disorder may have wide and very serious implications. The complications associated with pica can be divided into five groups:
Symptoms due to ingestion of non-food substances are as follows: Often individuals with pica disorder suffer from the same symptoms as anorexia such as mineral deficiency, unhealthy nails, hair and weight loss. Pica disorder symptoms may vary according to the non-food substance ingested.
Symptoms and Complications of Pica Disorder In this disorder eating non-food substances relieves the stress they feel. PsychosocialĪs previously stated one of the risk factors for the development of this eating disorder is the existence of a pattern of behavior similar to anxiety disorders. There is evidence that certain brain lesions are associated with abnormal feeding behaviors. Low or abnormal levels of dopamine may be related to this disorder. It has been discovered that people with this disorder have a reduced activity of their dopaminergic system in the brain. These theories are based on the opinions of patients who claim to enjoy the taste, texture or odor of the substance they are ingesting. Although malnutrition is often diagnosed at the same time as pica, a link has not been established. Lack of minerals such as iron and zinc are common. Nutrition deficiencies are the most common theories to explain why Pica Disorder appears.
To explain pica disorder experts have proposed some hypotheses that include cultural factors, low socioeconomic status, psychological disorders and other diseases. The causes of this eating disorder are unknown. In a study conducted in Nigeria, the incidence of pica in adolescents and boys was between 25% and 46%. Culture: In African countries, pica is more common among women and children.Having addictive behaviors or an addiction.Stressful and Chaotic Family Environments.
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It is not known exactly what are the causes of this alteration, but there are a series of risk factors that make it more likely to suffer from this disorder: In many cultures, the clay ingestion is used for its medicinal properties. It has been part of religious ceremonies, magical beliefs, and healing attempts. In the nineteenth century in the southern United States, this behavior was common among slaves and this practice is still accepted in some cultures. In some modern cultures, the pica behavior happens in a ritualistic way. The magpie does not show a preference for food or non-food substances. The term “pica” comes from the Latin word that means “magpie”. It is closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorder since individuals suffering from OCD as well as those suffering from pica disorder are often aware of their behavior but can’t stop even though it is unhealthy and unreasonable. This disorder is also associated with people who have some kind of nutritional deficiency, such as a lack of iron, and pregnant women or individuals with other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxious patients or as a way to attract attention. When we talk about adults with Pica disorder they often have intellectual disabilities. However, when it occurs in children who are older than 5 years old, the alarms should set off.
There is a stage in the development of the child whose curiosity leads him to put objects in his mouth. Usually, if we think about this disorder we associate it with children. Pica Disorder is characterized by the urgent desire to eat non-nutritive substances without nutritional value in a compulsive way.