Craving for ice consumption is a common symptom associated with anemia due to a decrease in body temperature as a means to alleviate feeling cold.
Ice-eating, or pagophagia, has been linked to a specific type of anemia known as iron-deficiency anemia. This condition, characterized by a low number of red blood cells, can cause symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Chewing on ice may provide a temporary increase in blood flow and alertness in people with low iron levels. This is because iron is critical to the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In iron-deficiency anemia, the reduced amount of hemoglobin can lead to oxygen deprivation, causing neurological symptoms. Chewing ice might help stimulate blood flow to the brain, offering a brief respite from these symptoms.
However, it's important to note that this craving for ice can cause dental damage, including cracked teeth and enamel erosion, due to the hardness of ice.
The exact cause of the craving for ice in iron-deficiency anemia is not fully understood. It was once thought that people with pica (a condition characterized by the compulsive eating of non-food items) were compensating for nutritional deficiencies in their diet. However, this theory is outdated. The current understanding is that the act of chewing ice temporarily enhances alertness and cognitive function impaired by anemia-induced oxygen deprivation.
Other forms of anemia, such as vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, can also cause similar symptoms. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficient anemia may include clumsiness, tingling sensations in hands and feet, depression, and hallucinations.
Iron-deficiency anemia is treatable by increasing dietary iron and taking daily supplements. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications. If you find yourself craving ice regularly, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying conditions.
This connection between ice-eating and iron-deficiency anemia was first noted in the late 1960s. Since then, research has continued to explore this intriguing link, shedding light on the complex interplay between nutrition, health, and human behaviour.
[1] Smith, J. (2018). Pagophagia: A Review of the Literature and Clinical Implications. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 47(5), 393-400. [2] Touster, S. G., & Ganz, T. (1972). Pagophagia: A Clinical and Laboratory Study of Ice-Eating in Iron-Deficiency Anemia. The American Journal of Medicine, 53(5), 741-746. [3] Yip, T. Y., & Patterson, K. (2012). Pica and Iron Deficiency Anemia. The Journal of Pediatrics, 161(2), 306-308.
- The scientific literature suggests that the act of chewing ice, or pagophagia, might be linked to a specific type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia, which can exhibit symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Research in the field of psychology and cognitive function has proposed that the temporary enhancement of alertness and cognitive abilities in anemia patients could be a reason behind the craving for ice.
- In addition to addressing iron deficiency through diet and supplements, it's crucial to address the mental-health aspect of this condition, as consulting with a healthcare professional can help rule out any underlying conditions, including pica, a condition associated with non-food item consumption.
- Nutrition science also indicates that other forms of anemia, such as vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, can cause similar symptoms like clumsiness, tingling sensations, depression, and hallucinations.
- The wellness community has begun to explore the use of CBD oil as a potential supplement to aid in managing iron-deficiency anemia symptoms, though further research is needed to support these claims, aligning with the ongoing efforts in the field of health-and-wellness to uncover the complex interplay between nutrition, mental health, and human behavior.
