Page 48 - April Issue
P. 48
on the way | food & diet
mother, baby & child April 2011 that was found for many years and ice and cigarette ashes. “Exposure to
in gasoline and house paint,” “Other common strange cravings high levels if lead
she says and although lead is among women with this disorder during pregnancy
still present in the environment, include coffee grounds, plaster,
the amounts have decreased toothpaste, paint chips or other contributes to
greatly. Lead poses health unusual substances.” Symptoms miscarriage,
risks for everyone, but young of pica usually appear in the first preterm birth, low
children and unborn babies or second trimester of pregnancy, birth weight and
are at greatest risk, she says. and persist for more than one developmental delays
“Exposure to high levels of lead month. Though symptoms tend in the infant.”
during pregnancy contributes to to disappear after pregnancy,
miscarriage, preterm birth, low Dr Phadke says that there is a “Fortunately protein is very good
birth weight and developmental chance that your pica cravings for pregnant women and in most
delays in the infant,” she says could continue after labour and cases there is nothing wrong with
and in fact children exposed to delivery. “Common problems indulging your cravings,” she tells,
high levels of lead after birth may associated with pica include “Many women find it simpler to
develop behavioural and learning bowel obstruction,” she asserts give in to their pregnancy related
problems, slowed growth and and this in turn, can lead to severe cravings.” This doesn’t suggest
hearing loss. Also high levels of constipation, bowel inflammation, you have to overindulge. The best
exposure to pesticides, admits and infection. Another problem way to deal with cravings is to eat
Dr Phadke, may contribute to is parasite infection. “Items from in small amounts, she suggests. “A
miscarriage, preterm birth, low the earth, including clay, soil, and preference for sweet and sour helps
birth weight, birth defects and grass, can be home to parasites,” women get a more varied diet later
learning problems. “Solvents she notes and when you ingest in pregnancy so they can get enough
are chemicals that dissolve other these items, parasites can then calories, for instance found in fruit.
substances and include alcohols, infect your gastrointestinal tract “Also an increased preference for
degreasers, paint thinners and causing pain, weight loss, and salty tastes -- which would include
stain and varnish removers,” other side effects. Also dental foods like potato chips and pickles
notes Dr Phadke, adding, “A injury, notes Dr Phadke, as your may indicate a woman’s greater need
number of studies suggest that teeth were not made to process for sodium as during pregnancy, a
workplace exposure to solvents non-food items. Hard substances woman’s blood volume increases, so
may increase the risk of birth like rocks, clay, and ice can this taste change may be tied to her
defects.” cause serious damage to your increased salt requirement,” she says,
teeth, and you may experience while an aversion to bitter tastes is an
Pica broken and fractured teeth. evolutionary protection, because many
“Common treatments for pica toxic plants and fruits taste bitter.
Vary rarely women have strange include nutritional supplements, Cigarettes, she explains, contain
cravings for substances that are medications to control over 4,000 chemicals, around 50 of
bad, says Dr Phadke, including cravings, stress, or depression, which are known carcinogens (cancer
dirt or other undesirable psychological counselling, and causing). “The main components of
substances. “This condition is behaviour therapy,” suggests Dr tobacco smoke are nicotine, carbon
often referred to in the medical Phadke. monoxide and tar, along with many
community as pica which other toxic chemicals,” she says
technically means persistent Facts and all the more reason to give up
cravings for non-food items,” completely.
she says and commonly occurs Crunching ice may seem harmless
in pregnant women who are: but Dr Phadke says if the craving is CREDITS:
experiencing their first pregnancy, substantial; it may be an indicator Dr Maneesha Sanjeev Phadke
under the age of 20, and/or of an iron deficiency. “Chocolate General Practitioner of Nutrition/Lifestyle
have suffered from pica as a cravings may be normal or a sign Belhoul Speciality Hospital
child. Common cravings, says that women need more B vitamins,” 04-2733333
Dr Phadke, include dirt, clay, she asserts while other patients
laundry detergent, soap, hair, desire large quantities of protein.
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