PICA with THEDOCPRENEUR
TOPIC: PICA IN SCD WARRIORS
GUEST SPEAKER: DR UGONNA AJOKU on ASCF WhatsApp group on 15 April 2020.
Hello Everyone. I’m sorry I had to reschedule because I was caught up in something but happy to be here and to meet you fine people.
So our topic today is PICA
So what is Pica ?
Pica is an eating disorder that causes a person to crave and eat non-food items that have no nutritional value. Before I go on, who has ever experienced this before?
A person with pica might eat relatively harmless items, such as ice. Or they might eat potentially dangerous items, likes flakes of dried paint ,pieces of metal , chalk, soaps, buttons, clay, hair, dirt, sand, the unused remainder of a cigarette, cigarette ashes, paint, glue, chalk, feces etc. PS: this must continue for about a month for it to be diagnosed as PICA.
People with SCD are known to have a higher rate of PICA than the general population. What causes pica?
There’s no known cause of pica but In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be a factor. For example, anemia, usually from iron deficiency, may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women or SCD patients.
Your unusual cravings may be a sign that your body is trying to replenish low nutrient levels. Others include – dieting, lower hemoglobin, a family history of PICA and People with certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), may develop pica as a coping mechanism.
How is pica diagnosed?
There’s no test for pica. Your doctor will diagnose this condition based on history and several other factors.
You should be honest with your doctor about the nonfood items you’ve eaten. This will help them develop an accurate diagnosis.
It may be hard for them to determine if you have pica if you don’t tell them what you’ve been eating. The same is true for children or people with intellectual disabilities.
Your doctor may test your blood to see if you have low levels of zinc or iron. This can help your doctor learn if you have an underlying nutrient deficiency, such as iron deficiency. Nutrient deficiencies may sometimes be related to pica.
What are the complications associated with pica?
Eating certain nonfood items can sometimes lead to other serious conditions. These conditions can include:
* poisoning, such as lead poisoning
* Parasitic infections
* Intestinal blockages
* Choking
How is pica treated?
Your doctor will probably begin by treating any complications you’ve acquired from eating nonfood items.
If your doctor thinks your pica is caused by nutrient imbalances, they may prescribe vitamin or mineral supplements. For example, they’ll recommend taking regular iron supplements if you’re diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.
Your doctor may also order a psychological evaluation to determine if you have OCD or another mental health condition. Depending on your diagnosis, they may prescribe medications, therapy, or both.What is the outlook for people with pica?
In children and pregnant women, pica often goes away in a few months without treatment. If a nutritional deficiency is causing your pica, treating it should ease your symptoms.
Pica doesn’t always go away. It can last for years, especially in people who have intellectual disabilities. Your doctor will help you understand the outlook for your specific case and what you can do to help manage the condition.
What causes pica?
There’s no known cause of pica but In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be a factor. For example, anemia, usually from iron deficiency, may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women or SCD patients.
Your unusual cravings may be a sign that your body is trying to replenish low nutrient levels.
PICA is not a habit. To stop it, especially when it becomes potentially harmful, you have to see your doctor for a full evaluation and you may also need psychotherapy. The first comment about the cause of PICA is that it is largely unknown. Iron deficiency and other things were found in some cases.
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