Archive for November, 2014

How toilet paper addiction is affecting your life

If you’re struggling with toilet paper eating addiction, you are not alone. There are thousands of others who looking at ways of dealing with this problem. Some people eat few sheets in a day, while there are others who eat entire roll in a day. People, who are addicted to eating toilet paper, may not enjoy eating normal food because of their addiction. Many online forums and answers website say that eating toilet paper is safe and there are not side effects of eating toilet. This information is not true and people who eat toilet paper may have to deal with long-term health problems.

What is Pica?

Pica is addiction of eating objects and substances, like paint, paper, chemicals, paint, and dirt that don’t have nutritional value. Craving for non-food items isn’t safe as it is an indication that you are suffering from an underlying health problem. If you are suffering from toilet paper eating addiction, it is best that you consult your doctor. Your doctor may suggest blood which will help in finding out the possible deficiencies you are suffering from. Usually, mineral deficiency is a reason for such cravings.

“Pica” comes from a Latin word which means magpie, a bird that eats almost anything. The craving for non-food items is extensive in people who suffer from Pica. Some people crave for paper while others crave for dirt, mud, chalk, and glue. Craving for powdery consistencies like sand, baking soda, ashes and talc is also not uncommon.

Diagnosis of Pica

If a person suffers from pica, medical evaluation of the person is important. Some of the problems that pica can cause include intestinal blockages, anemia, and high level of toxicity in the blood. Your doctor may suggest tests and physical examination to find the side effects of addiction. A test for possible infections caused by eating items like toilet paper may also be recommended by the doctor. The doctor will also evaluate the presence of other disorders like developmental disabilities, mental retardation, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Complications Associated with Pica

Eating objects that don’t have any nutritional value, can lead to malnutrition, constipation, and blockages. Some of the other problems associated with Pica is Phytobezoar.

Phytobezoar

This is a type of trapped mass which consist of indigestible material like seeds, skins, and fibers. Phytobezoars in the stomach can be detected using endoscopic testing or barium x-ray. People, who suffer from phytobezoars, may develop symptoms like vomiting, perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, bleeding, abdominal pain, and nausea. Phytobezoar may also cause the person to retain feces to toxic levels. The trapped mass is like a ball of human hair except its toilet paper that can get stuck in the GI tract and stomach. At times, drastic increase in toxicity levels can make sweat and breathe smell feces like. Phytobezoar is also result in problems in intestine and abdominal pain.

The doctors may use endoscopy to remove this indigestible mass from the stomach. Given the risk associated with this treatment, as it can result in lead poisoning, close monitoring of the patient is important throughout the treatment. Also, cooperation of the mental health team may be required to treat pica.

Dealing with Pica

Pica usually begins at a young age. Typically pica last only for a few months, however, in some cases it can last for a few years. There is no special or specific treatment for pica. However, paying careful attention to eating your eating habits can help in preventing pica. If you have infants at home, you must supervise them and pay careful attention to their eating habits. If you can them young, you can prevent complications.

References

http://www.livestrong.com/article/502675-what-causes-pica-in-children/

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-pica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytobezoar