But what does it mean if you constantly crave ice?
Reasons You May Be Craving Ice
Craving ice occasionally is usually nothing to worry about.
Here are some reasons you might have an urge to always chew ice.
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The form of pica that involves intense cravings for ice is calledice pica or pagophagia.
Because of this compulsion, pica is considered anobsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD).
People with ice pica may want specific types of ice or desire to consume it in specific ways.
Some fixate on chewing ice and others suck on it like a hard candy until it dissolves.
The reason for this association is not completely clear, but there are a couple of theories.
One is that iron deficiency causes fatigue, makingyou feel tired all the time.
Regardless of the cause, certain individuals are at higher risk of developing this condition.
Iron deficiency and ice pica often occur together.
Another worrisome component of constant ice cravings is that you may be consuming ice in lieu of nutritious food.
Some research has also found a connection between pagophagia andeating disorders.
Undiagnosed and untreated iron-deficiency anemia can lead to heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children.
Treatment for Ice Cravings
The treatment for resolving ice cravings depends on the underlying cause.
If you have iron deficiency with anemia, for instance, an iron supplement is generally a first-line treatment.
In serious cases, intravenous iron infusion, blood transfusion, or surgery may be recommended instead.
Research on effective pagophagia treatments is scarce.
Some studies say that rectifying nutritional deficiencies often causes pagophagia to completely resolve.
For example, sometimes people chew ice as a way to relieve stress.
Once the compulsion to chew ice has become habitual, it can be hard to break.
It may also be helpful to replace your ice craving with another habit that is less detrimental.
Examples include eating an apple, chewing gum, or even consuming a cold ice-less drink.
Findingeffective stress relief measureshelps, too.
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