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Suggest Treatment For Pagophagia

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015
Question: Why do i like eating ice
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Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It's a kind of addiction

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Pagophagia is the actual term for being addicted to eating ice cubes. So you are suffering from it. This has been linked to iron deficiency anemia. Studies and clinical experience says that people suffering from Iron deficiency anemia, may develop Pagophagia as is gives relief from glossitis which is associated with iron deficiency anemia.
However, in people who don't have iron deficiency anemia, Pagophagia is linked to Pica which is an disorder in which people develop habit of eating non-nutritive substances which can be a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Treatment is mostly behavioral modification therapy and strong will and determination to avoid such non-nutritive substances including ice.
So, i would advice you to get tested for iron deficiency anemia.
Get following tests done:
1. Serum Ferritin.
2. Serum Iron
3. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Pagophagia

Brief Answer: It's a kind of addiction Detailed Answer: Welcome to Healthcaremagic. Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern. Pagophagia is the actual term for being addicted to eating ice cubes. So you are suffering from it. This has been linked to iron deficiency anemia. Studies and clinical experience says that people suffering from Iron deficiency anemia, may develop Pagophagia as is gives relief from glossitis which is associated with iron deficiency anemia. However, in people who don't have iron deficiency anemia, Pagophagia is linked to Pica which is an disorder in which people develop habit of eating non-nutritive substances which can be a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatment is mostly behavioral modification therapy and strong will and determination to avoid such non-nutritive substances including ice. So, i would advice you to get tested for iron deficiency anemia. Get following tests done: 1. Serum Ferritin. 2. Serum Iron 3. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me. Stay Healthy. Dr Anshul Varshney , MD