Do you also eat ice

To escape the scorching sun and strong heat in summer , people drink various types of cold drinks. Sometimes people even chew ice to get instant relief from the heat. This provides relief from oral dryness and also helps in hydration. Although chewing ice occasionally is fine, but if there is a craving for it often, then it can be a sign of a particular health condition.

This is called 'pagophagia' in medical terms. This is a rare form of eating disorder, which is also called pica. This is a condition similar to the one where someone feels like eating chalk or mud. Pica is common in children and pregnant women, but it can happen to anyone.

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, pagophagia is usually associated with iron deficiency anemia or some mental problem. In such a situation, ignoring it can be dangerous.

 Is it safe to eat ice?

Chewing ice occasionally in the summer season is generally considered safe. It helps keep the body hydrated. Adding a small amount of ice cubes to a cold drink and sucking it can be refreshing. However, chewing ice often damages the enamel of the teeth. If someone often craves to eat ice, then a doctor should be consulted as it can be a sign of a serious health problem.

Why do we crave to eat ice?

Ice craving can happen due to many reasons. According to a study published in the online database 'Science Direct', some people may crave to eat ice when there is a lack of iron in the body. However, it is not yet completely clear why this happens. During pregnancy, periods and breastfeeding, the risk of iron deficiency increases in women, due to which they may crave to eat ice.

Some people eat ice to reduce stress. It gives them relief. Apart from this, there can be a desire to eat ice even when there is a lack of water in the body. 

: What kind of health problems can eating too much ice cause?

Answer- It depends on how often you eat ice and what is the reason for it. Although eating a small amount of ice is usually not dangerous. But eating too much ice can damage the enamel of the teeth and cause sensitivity. Apart from this, the risk of many other problems increases. 

Digestive problems

Eating too much ice can cause the stomach temperature to drop suddenly. In such a situation, people with weak digestion may feel mild pain or cramps. Apart from this, certain enzymes work in our body to digest food. Cold things can slow down the functioning of these enzymes a bit, due to which the digestion process can be temporarily affected.

dental or oral health issues

Ice is very hard and constant chewing can wear away the outer layer of the teeth, called enamel. This can cause small cracks in the teeth and they can also break. Due to weakened enamel, teeth can become more sensitive to cold or hot things. Apart from this, jaw pain can also occur.

nutritional deficiencies

Ice has no nutrition except water. In such a situation, eating too much ice can lead to deficiency of nutrients in the body.

Problems Associated with Pagophagia

Ice is less likely to directly cause damage to internal organs. But people with pagophagia may also consume other non-food items, which can cause infection. In some cases, pagophagia may be associated with mental conditions such as stress, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Problems Related to Anemia

If ice craving is due to anemia and it is not treated, then anemia related problems can occur. Such as-