Although it sounds a bit strange who can’t help but bite the walls of the houseWe live with people, even living creatures, who can taste everything that cannot be eaten to their liking and even scrape the bottom, so to speak.

It will stop if it is noticed and no action is taken. Pica syndrome, which can lead to a painful death we will share it with you. When you’re ready, put that rock in your hand on the floor; We will open the Pika Syndrome file for you.

General definition and origin of Pica syndrome

• For those who haven’t seen it before; Magpie (Ayhan Öztürk / Dörtçeker)

Pica syndrome was first described by Hippocrates as “eating non-food items or the desire to eat.”

The word pica is derived from the Latin word “pīca”, a bird known as the magpie. The main feature of the magpie bird: eat what it findsFor this reason, the name of the magpie bird was considered appropriate for Pika syndrome.

Pica syndrome symptoms and common cases

The person with Pica syndrome, He can eat anything we can think of.† The most common examples are; earth, paper, hair, paint, ash, clay, lime, glass, chalk, coal, ice, matches, cement, lime, mud, soap, gravel, battery, slime, metal, urine, feces and blood. In addition to these articles, all substances that do not belong to the food group It can be seen in Pica syndrome.

By the way, the “classroom meal” that we have often seen and perhaps tasted by many of us is also an example of pica, but this action cannot be considered as pica syndrome because it is not long-lasting.

The underlying cause of Pica syndrome

In public “soil-eating diseaseAlthough the scientific reason for Pika syndrome, also known as ‘, has not been scientifically established, it is possible to talk about the theories and extensive studies that have been put forward.

The general opinion in the scientific world is that Pika is based on: anemia, malnutrition; iron, zinc or mineral deficiency, neurological and psychological causesthat he is sleeping.

People with an iron deficiency eat soil, but…

• The Chinese girl who entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2007 by eating only rocks and soil for 2 months; Wuqibalaqiqige

Although it is known that people with an iron deficiency usually eat soil, it is also known that eating soil leads to iron deficiency (anemia). For this reason, folks due to iron deficiency It is not known whether he ate soil or suffered from iron deficiency because he ate soil.

Not all children who eat non-food items are pika.

• Due to sharing, we didn’t think it was appropriate to share a baby or child’s photo here.

Children love to discover the world by tasting it. That’s why they taste everything they know first. Therefore, It is normal for children up to 2-3 years to show signs of pica. However, if the action continues despite warnings in later processes, it is useful to consult a specialist.

Symptoms of Pica Syndrome

The most obvious symptom of Pica syndrome is, of course, that the person is caught consuming foreign substances, but this may not always be possible. Apart from this example; abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, blood in stool, infection and lead or mercury poisoning It can be listed as the symptoms of Pica syndrome.

Family communication, sex life and Pika

parents divorced in children, poor family communication in families or children who have been abusedThe incidence of Pica syndrome is also higher. Experts state that breast milk, which is very strong, should also be taken to prevent Pica syndrome in children. The incidence of Pica syndrome in children in different studies 5% to 10% varies between

In addition, individuals due to Pica syndrome are severely affected. loss of libido and sexual inability situations also occur.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pica Syndrome

To make a person suspect Pica, existing symptoms must last for at least 1 monthir. Then, after this 1-month period, a path is followed by the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association. Meanwhile, the person’s values ​​are also measured. Whether there is an abnormality in blood or mineral values is being investigated. Based on the data obtained, a treatment program is followed.

Pika in social media and popular culture

Not just people; Pica syndrome, a syndrome that cats and dogs can experiencehas been abused by some people. We can even say that there are several pages on the Internet that sell ‘clean ground’ for people with pica syndrome for 70 lira per kilo.

The main subject of the production called Swallow, produced by IFC in 2019 and starring Haley Bennett, is The story of a woman with Pica syndromeused to be. We recommend that you watch this movie, one of the rare productions about Pika syndrome.

A trailer from the movie Swallow:

and you Pica syndrome What do you think about it? Are there people around you who show symptoms of Pica syndrome? Have you ever “something other than foodDid you eat it? You can let us know your ideas and thoughts on this topic in the comments section.

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