Mental Health Conditions
Pica in adults
Moderate
ICD-10: F50 · NIH NLM
हिंदी: मिट्टी खाना · தமிழ்: மண் சாப்பிடுதல் · ಕನ್ನಡ: ಮಣ್ಣು ತಿನ್ನುವುದು · తెలుగు: మట్టి తినడం · বাংলা: মাটি খাওয়া · मराठी: माती खाणे · ગુજરાતી: માટી ખાવી
About this condition
An eating disorder in adults characterized by persistent cravings to consume non-food substances like soil, chalk, or paper. This condition often indicates underlying nutritional deficiencies, especially iron or zinc, or psychological issues. Medical evaluation is important to identify and treat the root cause.
Common symptoms
eating non-food items
craving for chalk
eating soil
eating paper
stomach pain
nutritional deficiency
When to see a doctor: within 1-2 weeks for evaluation and treatment
This condition in Indian languages
| Hindi (हिंदी) | मिट्टी खाना · चाक खाना · अखाद्य पदार्थ खाना · अजीब चीजें खाना |
| Tamil (தமிழ்) | மண் சாப்பிடுதல் · சுண்ணாம்பு சாப்பிடுதல் · உண்ண முடியாதவை சாப்பிடுதல் · பைக்கா நோய் |
| Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) | ಮಣ್ಣು ತಿನ್ನುವುದು · ಸುಣ್ಣ ತಿನ್ನುವುದು · ತಿನ್ನಲಾಗದ ವಸ್ತುಗಳನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನುವುದು · ಪೈಕಾ ರೋಗ |
| Telugu (తెలుగు) | మట్టి తినడం · సుద్ద తినడం · తినలేని వస్తువులు తినడం · పైకా వ్యాధి |
| Bengali (বাংলা) | মাটি খাওয়া · চক খাওয়া · অখাদ্য বস্তু খাওয়া · পাইকা রোগ |
| Marathi (मराठी) | माती खाणे · खडू खाणे · अखाद्य पदार्थ खाणे · पायका रोग |
| Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) | માટી ખાવી · ચોક ખાવો · અખાદ્ય પદાર્થ ખાવા · પાયકા રોગ |
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of Pica in adults?
eating non-food items, craving for chalk, eating soil, eating paper, stomach pain, nutritional deficiency.
When should I see a doctor?
within 1-2 weeks for evaluation and treatment
Is Pica in adults common in India?
This condition is seen across India.
How serious is Pica in adults?
Severity is classified as Moderate. within 1-2 weeks for evaluation and treatment.
Related conditions
Important: This information is for general awareness only and is
not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor.
In an emergency, call 112.
Data sourced from NIH NLM
and MOHFW India.
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