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Symptoms of Pica

The following features are indicative of Pica:
  • acuphagia
  • amylophagia
  • cautopyreiophagia
  • coniophagia
  • coprophagia
  • emetophagia
  • geomelophagia
  • geophagia
  • hyalophagia
  • lithophagia
  • mucophagia
  • pagophagia
  • plumbophagia
  • trichophagia
  • urophagia
  • hematophagia
  • xylophagia

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Common Causes of Pica

The following are the most common causes of Pica:
  • mineral deficiencies
  • low hemoglobin concentration in the blood
  • lower plasma zinc levels
  • schizophrenia
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder

Risk Factors for Pica

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pica:
  • Africans
  • children
  • anemic individuals
  • people who have poor nutrition
  • individuals with low levels of education

Prevention of Pica

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pica. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • get adequate nutrition

Occurrence of Pica

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Pica cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Common between 1 - 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Pica can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Pica can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pica

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pica:
  • Blood test: To check the levels of iron and zinc and also to detect anemia
  • Test for infection: If the person has been eating contaminated soil or animal waste

Doctor for Diagnosis of Pica

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Pica:
  • Psychiatrist

Complications of Pica if untreated

Yes, Pica causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pica is left untreated:
  • bezoar formation
  • intestinal obstruction
  • lead poisoning

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Pica

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Pica:
  • Aversion therapy: Patient gets rewarded for eating normal foods

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Pica.

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