Craving Ice
Why Am I Craving Ice So Badly?
You may have heard of pregnant women craving ice, or seen someone you know make frequent trips to the ice dispenser on the fridge and just chew on ice all day long. Maybe you have the same compulsion and want to know why. Of course, you will want to consult with your physician and confirm your symptoms with him, but the two most common causes for craving ice are iron deficiency and a psychological condition called pica. Pica is rather common and not serious, though it can be an indication of deeper emotional disorders and conditions. Pica causes people to crave items that have no nutritional or food value at all, and most of the items are not prone to flavor either. Pica may be a reason for craving ice, but so can a physical condition.
Iron deficiency, or anemia, has to do with a lack of soluble iron within the blood stream. Iron is essential to the building of the blood, and accomplishes many functions that no other element can. Iron needs potassium in order to work properly, and potassium in turn needs calcium in order to effectively do its important work within the body. If any of these essential nutrients are off by too much or too little, the entire body suffers and proper circulatory function is put to risk. Craving ice as a way of screaming for iron is an established theory, and one that should not be taken lightly.
This is why so many pregnant women are stuck craving ice. Menstruating women may also find that they have to feel the crisp, clean crunch of ice on their tongues in order to feel fulfilled as well. Pregnancy and menstruation are both situations wherein the body can lose great amounts of iron, and this is something that the body just can not tolerate without a fight. Listen closely to your body when you are with child, because you don’t give to your baby, your baby will take from you, and iron is no exception to that rule. If you are craving ice during pregnancy, be sure to let your doctor know that you need a blood test for iron levels.
Those craving ice because of pica will probably want to seek medical attention as well, thought the actual act of chewing or sucking on ice is in no way detrimental. This often baffling condition could take on deeper forms and cravings if it is left untouched, so you might do well in having a quick check up and run down of your lifestyle, health, and mental well being. You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain by finding out all you need to know about pica.