Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Are there any harmful effects from eating paper? i have a habit of chewing tissue and toilet paper, and for years when i was younger i ruined books by ripping bits off the sides and eating them. i always made sure not to eat the ink, as i didnt like the taste. my father insists i stop, and told me to look up the effects.
Hello and welcome to HCM, Urge to eat non-edible substances like paper, chalk, paint, mud etc. may be due to iron deficiency in body. Eating paper and tissue paper can lead to gastrointestinal upset like abdominal pain, bloating etc. Thus, you are advised to discontinue eating of paper and tissue. In addition, you are also advised to get a complete hemogram done to look for hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit. In case deficiency is detected, iron supplements will be required.
Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri
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What Are The Side Effects Of Eating Paper?
Hello and welcome to HCM, Urge to eat non-edible substances like paper, chalk, paint, mud etc. may be due to iron deficiency in body. Eating paper and tissue paper can lead to gastrointestinal upset like abdominal pain, bloating etc. Thus, you are advised to discontinue eating of paper and tissue. In addition, you are also advised to get a complete hemogram done to look for hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit. In case deficiency is detected, iron supplements will be required. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri