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Pica iron deficiency sour1/15/2024 Reports have demonstrated the improvement or resolution of pagophagia when given iron supplementation. In support of this hypothesis, individuals with iron-deficient anemia were found to have improved response times on neuropsychological tests than compared to healthy controls when chewing ice. Because fatigue is the most common symptom experienced in iron-deficiency anemia due to decreased levels of oxygen delivered to the brain, the increase of blood flow to the brain through consumption of ice is thought to increase alertness and improve the symptoms of fatigue. There is one hypothesis that states consumption of ice activates a vasoconstrictive response which causes an increase of blood flow to the brain. Causes Iron deficiency Īlthough compulsive consumption of ice is frequently associated with a deficiency of iron, the exact etiology of this form of pica is not well-understood. Excess water intake from any source can lead to hyponatremia and has been noted in at least one case study. Thus, palpitations, angina, as well as shortness of breath may also present, specially if there is a preexisting cardiovascular disease or condition. Severe cases of iron deficiency can also cause the body to make up for decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood by increasing cardiac output. Other symptoms associated with iron deficiency may include brittle nails, cracking at the corner of the mouth, and restless legs syndrome. Since a common underlying cause of pagophagia is iron-deficiency anemia, many people with the disorder will also experience weakness, fatigue, pallor, sore tongue, dizziness, headache, and cold extremities. Those with pagophagia will find themselves constantly chewing on ice cubes, shaved ice or even frost from the fridge. The main symptom for pagophagia is intense cravings for chewing ice. The American Dental Association recommends not chewing ice as it can lead to dental injury and suggests that ice should be allowed to melt in the mouth instead. Īlthough some investigators also hypothesize that chewing ice may lessen pain in glossitis and stomatitis related to iron-deficiency anemia, the specific pathophysiology is still unknown and this hypothesis remains controversial. As a result, the researchers hypothesized that chewing on ice causes vascular changes that allow for increased perfusion of the brain, as well as activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which also increases blood flow to the brain, allowing for increased processing speed and alertness. Ī hypothesis of the neurological basis of pagophagia was proposed in a 2014 study in which those with iron deficiency anemia were shown to have improved response times while performing on a neuropsychological test when given ice to chew on. In the long run, as people start consuming more nonfoods compulsively, pica can also cause additional nutritional deficiencies. Later research demonstrated that the substances ingested by those who have pica generally do not provide the mineral or nutrient in which people are deficient. In iron deficient pregnant women who experience symptoms of pagophagia, decreased cravings for ice have been observed after iron supplementation. Similarly, folk wisdom also maintained that pica reflected an appetite to compensate for nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron or zinc. Leading some investigators to postulate that some forms of pica may be the result of nutritional deficiency. However, different studies have included alternative definitions including "daily consumption of 2-11 full glasses of ice (480-2640g)" or "the purposeful ingestion of at least one ordinary tray of ice daily for a period in excess of two months." Pagophagia has been shown to be associated with iron-deficiency anemia and responsive to iron supplementation, Its medical definition refers to the persistent consumption of nonnutritive substances for over a period of at least one month. It is a form of the disorder known as pica, which in Latin refers to a magpie that eats everything indiscriminately. Pagophagia (from Greek: pagos, frost/ice, + phagō, to eat ) is the compulsive consumption of ice or iced drinks. Iron-deficiency anemia, psychological distress, pregnancyīased on signs and symptoms presented and blood tests such as a complete blood count Dental injury, worsening iron deficiency or other micronutrient deficiency, hyponatremia
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