
#Pica syndrome during pregnancy free
Acupuncture and TCM can be very valuable in treating pica, as can talking with one of our naturopathic doctors.Ĭontact us for a FREE consultation on how natural therapy can help you with pica during pregnancy. Once your iron levels are being monitored, consider using chewing gum as an alternative to your cravings, and make an appointment to visit us. 2 Although pica is seen in children, it is also a common eating disorder in patients who are intellectually impaired. How can natural therapy help with pica during pregnancy? Depending on the substance being eaten, these cravings can be potentially harmful to you and your baby, so medical treatment should be sought immediately. There are reports in the literature that therapy and selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) usage have yielded successful results 1,10. Adults have comorbid psychiatric disorder diagnosed with Pica require follow-up. Most women suffering from pica will crave clay, chalk, or laundry starch, but some will crave such things as burnt matches, stones, charcoal, ice, coffee grounds and cigarette ashes. Pica occurred in pregnant women usually subside with the end of pregnancy. In The Theory of Five Elements, the Spleen is related to the Earth Element, and thus a deficiency of the Spleen organ can result in such patterns as the desire to eat Earth-like substances. It may be related to stress, anxiety, or fears that are typical during these weeks of pregnancy. The non food material includes the following items.

I loved eating chalk during both my pregnancies, says one mom in an online support group. Often, an effective solution for this disorder is to take iron supplements.

Pica Syndrome may cause brain damage as the non food materials may contain poison. According to a recent study, the compulsion to consume ice during pregnancy has often been overlooked by clinicians. If it is developed between the age of 18 to 25 then it is a diseased state. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pica is related to a Spleen deficiency (not considered the same 'spleen' as in conventional medicine). Pica during pregnancy usually appears during the first or second trimesters. Pica is common in young and mentally challenged children than adults. The medical cause is unknown, but there is speculation that it comes from an iron deficiency. Pica during pregnancy is the craving for substances that are non-nutritive, such as clay or chalk, and is more common in children than in pregnant women, although it can occur during some pregnancies.
