Pagophagia

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Pagophagia is a form of pica involving the compulsive consumption of ice or iced drinks.[1]

It has been shown to respond to iron supplementation,[2] leading some investigators to postulate that pica is the result, not the cause, of nutritional deficiency.

Woolfolk wisdom (and some early investigators) maintained that pica reflected an appetite to compensate for some problems such as relieving some of the symptoms of low iron, including inflammation of the tongue and stomach.[citation needed]

Later research, however, has demonstrated no evidence that the substances ingested provide any nutrient or mineral in which patients are deficient.[citation needed]


[edit] References

  1. ^ B. Parry-Jones (August 1993). Pagophagia, or compulsive ice consumption: a historical perspective.. Psychol Med.. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ Ilan Brat (January 30, 2008). Chew This Over: Munchable Ice Sells Like Hot Cakes. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
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