HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PICA

People with the disorder pica compulsively eat items that have no nutritional value. An affected person might eat relatively harmless items, such as ice. Or they might eat potentially dangerous items, likes flakes of dried paint or pieces of metal. In the latter case, the disorder can lead to serious consequences, such as lead poisoning.

This disorder occurs most often in children and pregnant women. It’s usually temporary. See your doctor right away if you or your child can’t help but eat nonfood items. Treatment can help you avoid potentially serious side effects.

Pica also occurs in people who have intellectual disabilities. It’s often more severe and long-lasting in people with severe developmental disabilities.

Causes--There’s no single cause of pica. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be associated with pica. For example, anemia, or iron deficiency, may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women. Your unusual cravings may be a sign that your body is trying to replenish low nutrient levels.

People with certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder may develop pica as a coping mechanism.

Some people may even enjoy and crave the textures or flavors of certain nonfood items. In some cultures, eating clay is an accepted behavior. This form of pica is called geophagia.

Dieting and malnourishment can both lead to pica. In these cases, eating nonfood items may help you feel full.

Symptoms--People with pica eat nonfood items regularly. The behavior must continue for at least one month to qualify as pica.

If you have pica, you may regularly eat things such as:

·         ice

·         soap

·         buttons

·         clay

·         hair

·         dirt

·         sand

·         the unused remainder of a cigarette

·         cigarette ashes

·         paint

·         glue

·         chalk

·         feces

You may also eat other nonfood items.

Complications--Eating certain nonfood items can sometimes lead to other serious conditions. These conditions can include:

·         poisoning, such as lead poisoning

·         parasitic infections

·         intestinal blockages

·         choking

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When pica  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ALUMINA 30—Alumina is one of the top remedies for pica with constipation. There is abnormal cravings for coarse food, chalk, dry food, clean white rags, and tea or coffee grounds.  They desires fruits , vegetables, dry rice and indigestible things.  Alumina persons  have an aversion to potatoes, meat, and beer. Appetite is irregular, no desire to eat. 

ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM  30—Antimonium crudum is another effective remedy for pica with loss of appetite and disgust for food. Desire for acids, sour pickles. Thick milky white coated tongue is characteristic to  Antimonium crudum. Dryness of lips , more at night with intense thirst.  Great desire to to eat, but gets no strength. Bloating after eating. Constant belching.  There is a tendency to grow fat.  Patient have an aversion to cold bathing . They cannot bear the heat of sun, worse from the over exertion in the sun and from over heating near the fire. Mentally Antimonium crude child is fretful, peevish, cannot bear to be touched or looked.

CALCAREA CARBONICA 30—Calcarea carb is best suited to fat, flabby fair persons who is chilly and takes cold easily. Craving for indigestible things like dirt, chalk, coal, pencils etc. They have a special craving for eggs, also ice creams, salt and sweets.  Poor diet and nutrition. Head sweat profusely which wets the pillow. Aversion to meat and milk.

CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA 30—Calcarea phos is suited to emaciated children, unable to stand and slow in learning to walk with flabby distended abdomen. Craving for lime, slate, pencils, chalk, clay etc.  Desires raw salt and smoked things. Feeble digestion.

CICUTA VIROSA 30—Cicuta virosa is suited to nervous persons with craving for coal, chalk and many other strange articles. Inability to distinguish between edible and things unfit to be eaten. Thirst immediately after eating.

LAC FELINUM 200---Lac fel. persons have great desire to eat paper. They have no appetite. After eating stomach feels swollen, has to take off her dress and loosen clothes.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 30—Natrum mur  patient have great desire for salt and salty foods.  Desires farinaceous food, oysters , fish and milk. Aversion to bread and fatty things. Natrum mur is adapted to sensitive, anemic and emaciated persons with oily , greasy face.

NITRIC ACID 30---Nitric acid persons have craving for indigestible things , chalk, earth etc. They loves fat and salt. Dislikes meat, things sweetened with sugar, bread. They have  fissures in rectum and corners of mouth. Having strong smelling  urine like horse’s urine.

NUX VOMICA   30—Nux vomica persons   have craving for spicy food, beer, fat food, chalk, drugs tobacco, stimulants. They have special craving for stimulants like alcohol. They are oversensitive to noise, odours, light or music. They suffer from constipation with frequent ineffectual urging.

SILICEA 30—Silicea is another remedy for pica with craving for lime, sand and raw food. Silicea persons are nervous, apprehensive, over  sensitive, irritable and fearful. They sweat profusely, especially feet. They gets easily suppurated , discharges are profuse and offensive.