Pagophagia (addiction to ice) associated with iron deficiency anemia

Pagophagia is an addiction to ice generally caused by an iron deficiency or anemia. Ice can be used to chill drinks. Its cold, crunchy texture is particularly refreshing on the hottest of days. Usually, we add some ice to a beverage, allow the beverage to cool and watch the ice melt. For some though, who have pagophagia, their love for ice goes beyond cooling drinks. In fact, if a person has pagophagia they are actually addicted to ice.

Before you start asking yourself, “Why would a person be addicted to ice?” the disorder isn’t just an addiction. When someone craves ice it’s usually linked to an iron deficiency – or anemia. Pagophagia comes from an eating disorder called pica. Pica is when an individual craves and chews on something with no nutritional value – ice being one of them.

See more at: http://www.belmarrahealth.com/pagophagia-addiction-to-ice-associated-with-iron-deficiency-anemia/