Pica syndrome is a condition in which the desire to eat non-food items lasts longer than a month. People with pica syndrome are affected by soil, ice, paper, hair, paint, ash, clay, etc. He feels the urge to eat such substances. Iron deficiency anemia may be the underlying reason for the regular continuation of this condition, which is usually seen in children and pregnant women.
PICA IS TRYING TO CORRECT THE BODY’S DEFICIENCY
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) “Iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition are two of the most common causes of pica, followed by pregnancy. In these people, pica is a sign that the body is trying to correct an important nutrient deficiency.
YOU SHOULD ADD IRON-CONTAINING FOODS TO YOUR DIET
“Treating this deficiency with medication or vitamins often resolves the issues.” Initially, iron deficiency anemia may go unnoticed, its symptoms are mild. But like many deficiencies, it worsens over time. To avoid iron deficiency anemia, it’s best to make sure you get plenty of iron in your diet.
IRON DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Other symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- pale skin
- Headache
- Hearing ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your head (tinnitus)
- Strange food tasting
- feeling itchy
- a painful tongue
- Hair loss
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- painful open sores (ulcers) in the corners of your mouth
- spoon-shaped nails
- Restless legs syndrome.
FOODS RICH IN IRON
Iron mineral is mostly found in dried fruits such as dried apricots and raisins, red meat and liver, molasses, cereals, eggs, cabbage, beans, beets, potatoes, hazelnuts, almonds, peaches, pears, dates, pumpkins and fish. Consumption of such foods will meet the body’s need for iron.