How to Detect & Recognize Pica

How to Detect Pica DisorderBy K. T. Logan, eHow Editor

Instructions Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1
Discuss any cravings to eat non-food items with a doctor. Although this may be embarrassing, the doctor can recommend techniques to reduce and cope with the cravings and asses your psychological state.
Step 2
Consent to blood and urine tests to help diagnose pica disorder. Pica disorder may be related to nutrition deficiencies such as anemia. Often the item ingested is related to the deficiency. Blood and urine tests can also detect an overabundance of nutrients or minerals related to the increased ingestion of non-food items.
Step 3
Watch for non-food items in the feces. This is easy to notice when changing a small child's diaper and could save his life. Other signs of ingestion include stomach distension and pain. Intestinal obstruction could occur if the objects eaten are very large or accumulate quickly in the intestines.
Step 4
Notice any attempts to eat non-food items. Although some may choose to eat these items in private, others will readily eat them in public. The compulsion to eat non-food items is often greater at night or in other inconvenient situations.
Step 5
Check for signs of tooth destruction and decay. Eating non-food substances often leads to enamel erosion and mouth pain. Over time, teeth could have a worn or even jagged appearance.

Information taken from:http://www.ehow.com/how_2305347_detect-pica-disorder.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

Although both are very similar, they do include several different aspects so I thought it was important to post both. This disorder can be life threatening and it is important to be able to detect/recognize when an individual may be suffering from the disorder.

How to Recognize Pica Eating DisorderBy Peggy Hazelwood, eHow Member

Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1
Recognize Pica Eating DisorderA child or adult may have pica if they repeatedly eat nonfood items (see Step 2 below for a list of items) for 1 month or more when efforts are made to stop this behavior. Also, pica may be present when an older child (older than 18 months to 2 years) continues to ingest inappropriate items. Look for clues that the person is eating items that have nothing to do with a cultural, ethnic, or religious practice.
Step 2
An abnormal appetite for ice cubes may be a sign of pica eating disorder.
What Do People Eat Who Suffer from Pica Eating Disorder?Pica eating disorder is characterized by someone eating items that are not foods, such as the following: - cigarette ashes, blood, buttons, coal, clay, coffee grounds, dirt, feces, glue, hair, paint chips, paper, soap, toothpastePica disorder suffers may also have an abnormal appetite for food ingredients, such as the following:- flour, ice cubes, raw potato, salt, starch
Step 3
Potential Health RisksAccording to the Nemours Foundation, a person who continually consumes nonfood items may be at risk for serious health problems, including:- lead poisoning (from eating paint chips in older buildings with lead-based paint)- bowel problems (from consuming indigestible substances like hair, cloth, etc.)- intestinal obstruction or perforation (from eating objects that could get lodged in the intestines)- dental injury (from eating hard substances that could harm the teeth)- parasitic infections (from eating dirt or feces)
Step 4
What To Do For Someone with Pica Eating DisorderTalk to your child's doctor about compulsive eating of inappropriate items and about signs of pica eating disorder. In the case of an emergency, if a child has eaten something harmful, call 911 or Poison Control (see the Resources section below).

Information taken from:http://www.ehow.com/how_4786355_recognize-pica-eating-disorder.html