My Pica, the Effect and Possible Cure

Most African cultures practice the act of eating clay known as Geophagy, a form of Pica, which is common among women and children. Particularly children at some point in time develop the habit or appetite for eating either sand, dirt, chalk, ice, soap and other unnutritious substances. However, when these habits continue even at our teenage and adulthood, we can no longer refer to these conditions as normal. Thus, the act of eating and craving for non-nutritive food is known as Pica - a Latin word for magpie, a bird known for its abnormal behaviour of eating almost anything (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_%28disorder%29). Pica is a disorder indicating the lack of mineral deficiency such as iron in our body. A lack of iron in the human system is what causes pica according to some researchers, who have noted that individuals with pica often eat substances which contain the mineral they are deficient in. Recently, research has revealed that clay substances namely: nzu, eko as they call it in the Urhobo, Ghana clay and Calabash chalk as shown in this link contain high quantity of lead (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2330387.stm). Despite this warning, most of us at our teenage and adulthood are still like Magpie, the bird because we devour substances that are harmful to us. Myself not have been exempted because I am a clay eater. Make no mistake, I am not here to judge anyone, rather my aim is to share my Pica story, its effect and cure, and how you can work towards overcoming yours.

    My Pica disorder began at a very young age. Then, my sister, friends and I usually go to a hospital called Maternity whenever we visited the village. This is a hospital where pregnant women are delivered of their babies. Having giving birth, the women display by their bedside, white powders and a plate full of clay, known as Nzu by the Igbo people of Nigeria. The nzu clay is eating by these women during their pregnancy to stop vomiting. Some of them quit consuming it after giving birth while others continue to crave for it. Meanwhile, anyone who visits these women in the Maternity is allowed to rob the baby's powder and to take a ball of nzu or two from the plate. This act is usually recognized as a sign of rejoicing with the mother and welcoming of the newly born baby into the world. Therefore as children, we never missed the activity of visiting the Maternity in order to collect powder and nzu whenever we were in the village From this time, my habit of licking nzu was born as it became part of my daily food and continued until I left the village for the city. I thought I would outgrow this obsession at my teenage age, but no! Instead, I found myself getting more addicted that I even have to buy it on credit, just to satisfy my cravings.  Additionally, I started eating ice and my desire rose to the extent of making ice with my tea, mixing water and milk in order to get something icy. Even though, we were told as children that nzu and ice sucks blood, hardens your stomach, blocks your womb and causes harm to the teeth, we could not stop the habit.

  

The Effects
Now, somebody might say, eating clay (nzu) cannot be that bad since it is rich in some minerals. Of course, there are several good benefits of clay. Some of them are that it detoxifies unwanted substances in the body, stops vomiting and cures acne if properly used. Notwithstanding the benefits of nzu, its side effect is detrimental to our health. So, how did it affect my health?

•   I noticed on the long run when I started menstruating that my period is usually heavy and  painful that I am practically afraid to go out for the fear of staining my clothes.

•  I had sore in the upper region of my mouth due to the licking of nzu since I do not chew it.

•  If I licked as many as 5-8 balls in a day, I became tired, dizzy and weak.

•  It was difficult to empty my bowel during visits to the smallhouse (toilet).

•  My gums suffered constant bleeding and aching.

Possible Cure

•  In order to stop the craving for NZU, it was necessary for me to avoid having 5-10 naira change in my bag or anywhere else. Once, you do not have any of this denomination around, the temptation to buy the substance is reduced because you would not want to risk spending a 100-500 naira note on a little round ball. At least from my point of view; I do not know about you.

• Another strategy is to start taken Iron pills or any food rich in iron. This is a tremendous way to reduce your craving and to combat anaemia. It works so fast that in two to three weeks at a role, you would not think of nzu or any other non-nutritious substance as iron helps regulate and build your blood level.

• I started eating foods rich in fibre. For instance, I stopped eating white bread, white rice and other cereals that were not made with whole grain, but ate more of brown bread, brown rice and any other food that is fibre packed. I also added broccoli, salad, especially baby spenat to my daily meal.

• Eating nuts was also helpful because it helped me to stop dreaming of nzu and to concentrate on savouring its taste. 

• I also started taken folic acid, which also enhances the blood level.

•  Above all, it takes a strong will power to quit this habit. It is not a day's job, but you can start by reducing your daily in-take to 2 balls. I know someone would say that this is difficult to achieve, but you must know that it is not impossible. Determination and choice are the keywords to overcoming the habit and craving of Nzu if you have to quit for the betterment of your well being. If I can control this habit, you can also do it. Try some of these methods I have listed above....perhaps you will even have to do more in order to stop.

   If you have any suggestion/experience to share, please feel free to add them in the comment section or send an email to me.