Iron deficiency continues to be a concern for healthcare organizations around the world, as it paves the way for serious problems if poorly managed. is essential for the generation of You feel tired and short of breath as your body struggles to get oxygen to your cells. Other symptoms have been observed in which individuals begin eating foreign objects. According to some studies, this phenomenon is the main symptom of iron deficiency.
In 2012, a Journal of Medical Case Report stated that pica appears to be strongly associated with iron deficiency anemia, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear.
Science Direct explains: […] It can go unnoticed in psychiatric examinations that involve testing, and patients usually tend to hide it.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to eat non-nutritive substances such as paper, soap, paint, and chalk.
In 2020, Science Direct published the case of a 29-year-old female patient who presented to emergency services after suffering from abdominal pain and constipation for two days.
Read more: Girl Craves Inedible Substances Diagnosed with Iron Deficiency
“Patient complaints were the habit of eating 4 to 5 packs of matchsticks a day for 3.5 to 4 years,” the report states.
“At night, when my husband and son were asleep. […]she tossed the flammable end of the match, crunched the rest into small pieces, dipped it in, and kept spinning it in her mouth before swallowing.
“She says she felt an incredibly strong desire to do this action and felt happy and not disgusted at every step of it.”
The patient had some awareness that pica might be the cause of her symptoms, but did not seek psychiatric treatment.
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Some other forms of pica, such as earth consumption, are more culturally driven and are considered a common type of pica.
How common is iron deficiency?
Unfortunately, iron deficiency remains one of the most prevalent deficiencies worldwide, affecting an estimated 2 billion people.
Symptoms of this condition range from extreme fatigue and pale skin to headaches and lightheadedness.
If these symptoms are not addressed early, they can lead to life-threatening complications such as anemia.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the state from becoming a problem.
This condition can be caused by several factors, including diet, blood loss, and inadequate absorption of iron from the intestine.
In most cases, eating a balanced diet with an emphasis on iron-rich foods will help prevent a deficiency.
Taking supplements may also offer some protection, but it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor beforehand.
