Pica Eating Disorder

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Treatment For Pica Eating Disorder


Pica eating disorder is a mental health condition in which people eat nonfood items like dirt, paint chips, paper, and ice. This behavior can be dangerous and cause complications like nutritional deficiencies, intestinal blockages, lead poisoning, and parasitic infections.

It happens more often in children and pregnant women, but it can occur in anyone. Treatment for pica can help stop this habit before it causes serious harm or risky medical conditions.


Symptoms of Orthorexia Nervosa
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Pica can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to many mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trichotillomania. The underlying causes of pica are unclear, but they may be related to brain changes or genetic disorders. It can also be a sign of certain medical conditions, such as nutrient deficiency, sickle cell anemia, and pregnancy. In some cases, pica is a side effect of some medications.

To get a diagnosis of pica, doctors need to know the type of substances the person is eating and how long this behavior has gone on. The doctor will then do blood tests to look for nutritional deficiencies or other underlying problems. Other tests, such as x-rays and imaging scans, can look for signs of an intestinal blockage or other complications. Doctors can also perform stool tests to look for a parasitic infection or other potential infections from the ingested substances.

Treatment for pica usually focuses on removing the problematic items and making it inconvenient to reach them. Doctors can also prescribe a medication to control the craving for non-food items. Some doctors treat pica by using behavioral modification techniques, such as exposing the person to the things they are eating and offering rewards, such as food or toys. This can help them un-learn the behaviors and learn new ones.

If someone has pica, they should continue to see their healthcare provider regularly and go through treatment as needed. It is important that everyone on the healthcare team is working together to improve care coordination and minimize oversight, so patients can get the best possible outcomes.

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