She was sent to the hospital three years ago with a blockage in her lower intestine and as doctors readied her for surgery, laxatives did the trick and she passed a ball of foam as big as a grapefruit, according to the article. Interest in the subject of pica was aroused by two Black women with iron deficiency anaemia which could have been ascribed to their daily consumption of at. This is because magpies have been known to eat almost everything. Pica arises from the Latin word for the magpie -picave. In a simpler term pica is the eating of abnormal substances. Finally, another factor, pica, has long been associated with IDA.
She has tried therapy, including hypnosis, to stop the compulsion. Pica syndrome is a behavioral condition that incites cats to eat non-edible substances such as paper, fabrics, plastics, etc. Among low income women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found the. In fact, Edwards has said that doctors have told her the foam can damage her digestive tract and she could even die. Mild aversion therapy followed by positive reinforcement for eating proper foods can also be successful.Ĭomplications can include bezoar, a mass of indigestible material that is lodged in the stomach or digestive tract or an intestinal obstruction and sometimes lead poisoning or malnutrition. Then, specialists address behavioral and family issues. Treatment includes first addressing missing nutrients or exposure to toxins like lead.