1 of 3 Allotriophagia can make you want to eat inedible and even poisonous things — Photo: Unplash Allotriophagia can make you want to eat inedible and even poisonous things — Photo: Unplash
Allotriophagia is a syndrome characterized by the uncontrollable urge to eat things that are not edible (and not common either). The disorder, better known as pica syndrome, causes patients to want a wide variety of things, such as bricks, paper, cigarette ash, cotton, clay, feces, fingernails, glue, nails, and others.
To understand allotriophagy, the g1 spoken to…. Adriana BaceloNutritionist and Healthy Longevity Researcher at the Digital Health Laboratory of Fiocruz Ceará, and with the Psychiatrist Saul CiascaCoordinator of the Graduate Program in Psychiatry in Sanar.
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Allotriophagia or pica syndrome
Allotriofagia is better known as pica syndrome and, as Adriana Bacelo explains, the condition got its name because it refers to the magpie bird (also called pica pica) that “feeds without much distinction” and eats anything in front of it sees.
Saulo Ciasca comments that the disease is characterized by “a very irresistible, very strong desire to eat things that are not edible, and that they [pessoa] You know you shouldn’t eat“. Among the reports treated by the doctor in the office are canned cravings Wall paint, wood, nails, glue, hair, nails, soap, feces, ice and egg shells.
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Both Adriana and Saulo point out that just because the person tastes something unusual or eats on time does not mean he or she has allotriophagia. The diagnosis is only “a compulsive desire for objects” and that lasts longer than 30 days.
In addition, Ciasca states that the patient feels cravings for something specific, “it’s not that he wants to eat everything, he craves something even though he knows he shouldn’t eat that”.
What are the causes?
“The first reports in the literature point to a case of a pregnant woman who ingested soil,” says the nutritionist. She says that in addition to recurring cases in pregnant women, pica syndrome is also closely linked to iron and zinc deficiencies.
“Sometimes, even if the blood test doesn’t show anemia or iron and zinc deficiency, changing your eating habits will improve the symptom,” comments Adriana.
Saulo and Adriana list the main causes of allotriophagy:
- nutritional deficiencies: In general, it is most common in people with anemia or iron deficiency.
- psychiatric: People with schizophrenia, obsessivecompulsive disorder or even depression.
- Pregnancy: It’s not a pathological condition, but it’s common for pregnant women to experience cravings for inedible things (malnutrition can even be a secondary symptom).
2 out of 3 pregnant woman “eats” sponge with soap and video of groom goes viral — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Pregnant woman “eats” sponge with soap and video of groom goes viral — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Treatment
Experts clarify that the indication is that multidisciplinary treatment is carried out, combining the services of a general practitioner, pediatrician or geriatrician with a psychologist, a nutritionist and a psychiatrist (in the case of mental illness).
“It doesn’t do me any good to change and possibly even supplement my diet because people need psychological support to understand the effects, especially in the case of trauma, depression,” judges the nutritionist.
The psychiatrist also clarifies that the first step is to “examine organic causes” and “take a look at mental health.”
Ciasca also warns family members and people close to the patient to try to “keep those people away from toxic products to avoid poisoning,” as depending on the product, it can be very toxic and even cause surgical complications in some cases can.
3 of 3 Brit Kerry Trebilcock says she has an urge to eat dish sponges. She claims to have devoured about 4,000 sponges because of her addiction — Photo: Reproduction Britain’s Kerry Trebilcock says she has a compulsion to eat dish sponges. She says she devoured about 4,000 sponges because of her addiction — Photo: Reproduction
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