2. Pica: Definition
an abnormal desire to eat substances (as
chalk or ashes) not normally eaten
3. Pica: Who is affected
Children
According to the National Library of
Medicine 10 to 32 percent of children
between the ages 1 and 6 have pica
Pregnant women
Most common in first trimester
Adults
Commonly associated with those who have
autism and developmental disabilities
4. Pica: The Symptoms
Typical symptoms consist of consuming
items such as:
Animal Feces
Clay
Dirt
Buttons
Sand
Chalk
Paint
5. Pica: Possible Long Term Effects
Damage to teeth or gums
High blood pressure
Poisoning
Obstruction of the bowel
Obesity
Nutritional deficiencies
Infestation of parasites
6. Pica: The Treatment
Counseling or behavior therapy
Supplement your vitamins that your
lacking
Iron or zinc deficiency
If occurring in child, pay close attention
Will usually treat itself with age
8. Increase in Pica Disorder
Between 1999 and 2009, yearly
hospitalizations in the United States for this
disorder increased 93 percent, from 964 to
1,862, said the report from the
government's Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality.
9. My Strange Addiction
Reality TV show Aired on TLC since 2010
Tells the compelling stories of people who
are battling obsessive behaviors on the
verge of taking over their lives.
Psychological experts meet with them to
help them overcome their addictions
These range from eating specific non-
food items and ritualistic daily activities to
bizarre personal fixations or beliefs.
10. Common Questions
Concerning Pica:
If diagnosed with Pica, are patients
admitted to mental or general hospitals?
Can Pica be hereditary?
Is Pica an eating disorder?
Is their medication to cure Pica?
11. References
Compton, Lesley Stabinsky. "Pica." Clinical
Reference Systems. Vol. 2010. McKesson
Health Solutions LLC, 2010. Health
Reference Center Academic. Web. 18
Sept. 2013.
http://go.galegroup.com.lscsproxy.lonest
ar.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA218203576&
v=2.1&u=nhmccd_main&it=r&p=HRCA&s
w=w
Notas del editor
Pica is an abnormal desire to eat substances such as chalk or ashes that are not normally eaten. For example if anyone has ever seen my strange addiction on TLC? (small description of show) although the TV show portrays them as being “addicts”, their psychological disorder is likely pica. Add Latin descent
Although pica is commonly associated with children and pregnant women adults from all areas of the world are affected by this disorder as well.According to the National Library of Medicine pica disorder can be found in 10 percent to 32 percent of children between the ages of 1 and 6.Among adults, pica can start during the first trimester of pregnancy, but there are other people who have it as well. “It has been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia,” says Lugerner.While most of the studies I have found came from our region of the world other nationalities are also reported to have pica although commonly just eating clay or dirtAlso some believe that vitamin deficiencies play a role
• damage to teeth and gums from chewing abrasive materials such as twigs or metals.• high blood pressure, high levels of sodium salts in the blood, and abnormal liver functions such as those resulting from consuming large quantities of baking powder• poisoning, such as lead poisoning from eating chips of old paint or soil that has old paint in it. • obstruction of the bowel or airways from consuming or choking on indigestible materials such as hair. • obesity from eating too many calories for example laundry starch• nutritional deficiencies, such as the interference of soil with the absorption iron, zinc, and potassium in the digestive system. • infestations of parasites such as tapeworms resulting from consuming dirt or feces.
Treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause of your specific pica disorder
Believe that the jump in hospitalizations for pica disorder may be caused by the increase in autism.Which hospitals?
Despite the title of the show, few of the show’s subjects have what would medically be classified as true addiction, neither conventional (substance-related) nor behavioral.Rather, the cause of their behavior varies and may include a variety of psychiatric diagnosis. Examples of disorders on the show are:Obsessive compulsive disorder, Pica (disorder), Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Exercise bulimia, Trichotillomania, Body dysmorphic disorder, Dermatillomania,
