A member asked:

What are pica/pagophagia?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. William Holmes answered

Specializes in Child Psychiatry

Pica: Pica is the ingestion of non-food materials, or substances with little or no nutritional value. Pagophagia is considered to be a type of pica - it is specifically the excessive or compulsive ingestion of ice. This is not simply enjoying ice in your beverages - it is a compulsive need or drive to chew on and ingest ice. Interestingly, it is sometimes an outward sign of anemia.

Answered 8/8/2013

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