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Are you pregnant? Does the smell of earth cause you to drool? Do you have a strong craving for clay, do you cry when your husband hides the chewing stones you bought from the supermarket? Or is it a strong urge to chewing plastics,paper, chalk or charcoal? Some women may have a strong craving for baking powder, flakes of paint, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, foam and stuffing from furniture. This Now it could be pica.
The word pica is Latin for Magpie a bird notorious for eating almost anything.
What causes pica during pregnancy?
There is currently no identified cause of Pica, however according to the Journal of American Dietetic Association there may be a connection to iron deficiency. Pica is often times a clue that a person is anemic. Pica could cause anemia by binding with iron or other micronutrients.It is believed that pica cravings are the body's attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through normal food consumption.
Even when there is a lot of iron in consumed soil, very little of this iron can be absorbed by our digestive system. It is paramount for women to take their iron and folic acid tablets, no matter her pica status.
Are pica cravings harmful to the baby?
Giving in to pica craving is a potential harm to you and your baby. Eating non-food substances interferes with e nutrient absorption of healthy foods hence a deficiency. These non-food substances are likely to contain germ and toxins or create bowel obstructions and constipation.
Any way out?
There is no single medical test for pica. However, because mostly it occurs to people with poor nutrition, blood levels of iron and zinc may be tested. Treatment addresses the missing nutrients.
Inform your doctor. Monitor your iron and folate status along with other vitamin and mineral intake. Substitutes the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum.
