Hi,I am Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (Psychiatrist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I have pica, I've been talking to some doctors to get things under control, but I'm just curious, are there calories in chalk? It's one thing I eat allll the time and whenever I ask a doctor that they laugh and brush it off, I can't get a straight answer
Chalk does not contain any useful calories. It contains calcium carbonate which if taken in excessive amount can cause stone formation in kidneys. The continuous craving for eating inedible substances (like chalk) is known as Pica. It is one of the features of Iron deficiency anemia.
Investigations like complete blood count & peripheral blood smear will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis. Based on the reports, management will include administration of supplemental Iron & Folic acid preparations. There can be associated factors like hookworm infection which needs to be managed with Albendazole preparations. Also you need to take a healthy balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables.
So, kindly consult your General Physician for proper clinical evaluation. Wishing you a good health. Take care.
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How To Avoid Pica?
Hello dear, Chalk does not contain any useful calories. It contains calcium carbonate which if taken in excessive amount can cause stone formation in kidneys. The continuous craving for eating inedible substances (like chalk) is known as Pica. It is one of the features of Iron deficiency anemia. Investigations like complete blood count & peripheral blood smear will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis. Based on the reports, management will include administration of supplemental Iron & Folic acid preparations. There can be associated factors like hookworm infection which needs to be managed with Albendazole preparations. Also you need to take a healthy balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables. So, kindly consult your General Physician for proper clinical evaluation. Wishing you a good health. Take care.