Iron deficiency can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, and brittle nails and hair. Iron is crucial in the production of haemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.
When iron levels drop, issues like anaemia can occur. A specific craving could signal a deficiency in this nutrient.
Various factors can cause iron deficiency, including absorption problems in individuals with coeliac disease or an iron-poor diet. While fatigue is a common sign, other symptoms include pale skin, dizziness, headaches, cold extremities, and brittle hair and nails, according to 20minutos.
An unusual desire to eat ice, known as pagophagia, could be linked to iron deficiency. This condition is part of pica, a disorder characterised by the consumption of non-food items. Other forms of pica include geophagia (eating soil, clay, or sand) and amylophagia (consuming starch). There have also been reports of people craving substances like coal, chalk, paper, ashes, or hair.
The National Library of Medicine notes that while pica is more prevalent in children, it can also occur in adults with iron deficiency, even if they haven’t developed anaemia. While eating ice doesn’t pose an immediate threat, pica can lead to risks when the consumed substances are toxic or hard to digest. Potential consequences could include poisoning, intestinal blockages, and changes in the digestive system.
Symptoms of possible poisoning from pica might encompass abdominal discomfort and bloating, severe tiredness, nausea, and bouts of diarrhoea. If you have a persistent desire to eat ice or other non-food items, it’s recommended to seek advice from a specialist. This could indicate iron deficiency, which needs assessment and treatment.
Does constantly craving and chewing ice indicate anaemia?
Rajiv K. Pruthi, M.B.B.S. responds :”Possibly. The term “pica” describes craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value – such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice, known as pagophagia, is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear.
“Less commonly, other nutritional problems may cause you to crave and chew ice. And in some individuals, pica is a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or a developmental disorder.
“A thorough medical evaluation can help determine if pica is due to an underlying medical condition. If the cause of pica is an emotional or developmental issue, cognitive behavioural therapy may be helpful.”