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Whoa, talk about rare! Pica is a condition that causes people to crave and eat non-food items like dirt, chalk, or even paper. It’s not something you hear about every day, but it’s definitely worth knowing about. It can be a sign of an underlying medical issue and should be taken seriously. So let’s take a closer look at this rare condition and what it means for those who suffer from it.
How Rare Is Pica? [Solved]
Wow, that’s a lot! Pica is more common than you’d expect. It’s been found in almost 70% of pregnant women and half of young kids. Plus, around 10% of people with autism or other developmental issues show signs of it. Crazy, right?
Definition: Rare Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances such as dirt, clay, chalk, paper, and other inedible items.
Causes: The exact cause of rare pica is unknown but it is believed to be related to nutritional deficiencies or psychological issues such as anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Symptoms: Common symptoms include cravings for non-food items, abdominal pain and discomfort after ingesting the item, nausea and vomiting after consuming the item, constipation or diarrhea due to blockage in the digestive tract caused by the ingested item.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis of rare pica can be made through physical examination and laboratory tests that measure levels of iron and zinc in the blood as well as other minerals that may be deficient due to pica consumption.
Treatment: Treatment typically involves a combination of nutritional supplementation with vitamins and minerals along with psychotherapy to address underlying psychological issues that may be contributing to pica behavior.
Pica is a rare condition where people crave and eat things that aren’t food, like dirt or paper. It’s usually caused by an underlying medical issue, like anemia or pregnancy. People with pica can experience serious health problems if they don’t get help. So if you know someone who’s eating non-food items, it’s important to get them checked out right away!
