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What Does Compulsion To Eat Ice All The Time Suggest?
Question: Why does some eat ice all the time? She says she is thirsty but wants to chew ice instead. she does this almost all day.
Brief Answer:
Form of pica; needs investigations as suggested
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
Eating ice abnormally is a form of pica which is eating things that should not be eaten as much or at all normally. The habit of eating ice abnormally is called pagophagia. In medical science, it is a common symptom of iron deficiency. However, in stress or anxiety or in various psychological diseases like obsessive compulsive disorder etc, these symptoms can occur. In some cases, one develops this habit all of a sudden and gets normal after few days. Here, no proper cause can be found.
In such cases, a blood test for complete blood count is mandatory as well as I would recommend a thorough clinical examination by a doctor. If he/she finds any other signs, other investigations can be done as required. Supplemental iron therapy orally can be started also.
You can consult the above with your family or treating doctor.
You can also get back to me with the reports.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
Form of pica; needs investigations as suggested
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
Eating ice abnormally is a form of pica which is eating things that should not be eaten as much or at all normally. The habit of eating ice abnormally is called pagophagia. In medical science, it is a common symptom of iron deficiency. However, in stress or anxiety or in various psychological diseases like obsessive compulsive disorder etc, these symptoms can occur. In some cases, one develops this habit all of a sudden and gets normal after few days. Here, no proper cause can be found.
In such cases, a blood test for complete blood count is mandatory as well as I would recommend a thorough clinical examination by a doctor. If he/she finds any other signs, other investigations can be done as required. Supplemental iron therapy orally can be started also.
You can consult the above with your family or treating doctor.
You can also get back to me with the reports.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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