Serious Signs Anemic Individuals Often Exhibit

Pica

Pica is an eating disorder where the affected individual consumes substances that do not contain any nutritional value and may not be considered food on a regular basis. Pica may be an indication of anemia due to the fact many forms of anemia are the result of a nutritional deficiency. When the body is deficient in a nutrient, the brain often attempts to compensate in an unusual way by making non-food substances desirable to the individual. The body does this intending to ingest something that can replenish the shortage of the said nutrient.

Substances often consumed by individuals who have pica include soap, hair, wool, chalk, paint, metal, charcoal, clay, ice, paper, cloth, string, soil, talcum powder, gum, pebbles, ash, sand, and starch. In order for a diagnosis of pica to be made, the pattern of eating the non-food substance must last for a minimum of one month. Often times, individuals with pica induced by anemia will also present with symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue. These additional symptoms occur due to the effects of the repeated ingestion of a non-food substance on their digestive organs.