Aliophagy is a curious eating disorder according to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It’s also called Pica, Latin name?Pica Pica, which means “Urraca”, a bird known for eating unusual substances.
Pica or alotriophagia is a disorder of food and food behavior, the person who suffers from it suffers from an uncontrollable desire to eat and lick unusual things such as soil (geophagy), gypsum, cigarette ash or tobacco itself, starch, glue, baking soda, cloves. polishers, pencils, magnesia milk, charcoal, ice (pagophagus), hair or wool balls (triphagia), animal faeces (coprophagia), etc. Harmful to health.
- It appears in different countries and cultures.
- So it cannot be associated with a single place.
- A single specific way of life.
- Etc.
It is a more common disorder in children than in adults; between 10 and 32% of children between the age of 1 and 6 usually have this problem, although it also occurs in adults and pregnant women who refer feeling fresher in their body, even if it is not real and only responds to a personal perception. person to be included in this diagnosis, must have developed symptoms for at least a month.
It is not clear why allotheria develops, studies indicate that this may be due to biochemical factors (lack of iron in the body) although it has not been demonstrated, and mainly to psychological factors (stress and anxiety, pleasant sensations related to ice consumption, earth?) Or cultural factors.
For example, in developing countries and rural areas there may be greater permissiveness in the use of non-food substances, however, this explanation is not entirely plausible, since the desire to lick pencils, for example, is very common in cities in developed countries. Countries.
There is also no prevention, but doctors say a good diet from birth can help prevent Pica from appearing.
Treatment consists essentially of psychosocial, environmental and family guidance carried out jointly by doctors and psychologists, who will analyze whether there is allotrifagie, whether medicines and/or dietary supplements should be used for the consequences that may have arisen, such as digestive problems. , obesity, etc. Therapy should be performed by psychologists who advise the patient to stop using these substances that he associates as food.
The first basic idea to solve this disorder would be to ask the patient why they are doing it. They are usually repetitive behaviors for no reason; the person is not aware that he has developed a bad habit for his health, and that this can lead to negative consequences such as esophageal problems, intestinal obstruction, malnutrition or obesity (starch consumption). of that, we can finish the problem sooner than expected.
Other recommendations for treating the disorder include
? Training that allows the patient to distinguish between what is edible and what is not.
? Ensure that the patient associates the use of these substances with negative consequences and the food has positive consequences.
? Self-protection devices that prevent objects from putting objects in your mouth.
? Correction of the environment that leads the patient to this disorder.
? Promote healthy eating habits
If you think you are suffering or someone close to you is suffering from this disorder, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to avoid adverse health consequences.