My sister just started eating ice...isn't that a sign of anemia?

Question

she was like a vegetarian for a whole year... so thats why i think she might be

she says she craves it..

Answer 1

no i dont think so,,, many a sign she likes eating ice

Answer 2

It sure can be! It is called pica, when someone craves eating a non-food substance. I loved eating ice and didn't even really realize it, until I had routine bloodwork done that showed I was anemic. My doctor asked me if I had been eating ice (I was) and he said that was one sign. Other common signs of iron deficent anemia are fatigue (with difficulty sleeping, weird I know), palpitations (when your heart skips a beat), shortness of breath, cracks at the corner of your mouth, and pale skin/mucous membranes. There are some great iron supplements for vegetarians out there. If she is feeling bad or exhibits these symptoms, really encourage her to see her doctor. It is not uncommon at all for young women to become anemic due to low iron, because of diet or things like heavy periods. Once I started with supplements, my ice cravings and other symptoms got better. I have so much more energy, it's great! Good luck!

Answer 3

It might be. It depends if she craves it and if she eats it very frequently. I never heard of this till I saw your question, but I googled it and found the following post, it maybe of help to you.

Quote: [My daugther just found out she is anemica, she is a constant ice eater, the doctor said it causes anemia, eating the ice keeps the acid in the tummy cold and it cannot digest the iron you are getting from food and so now the body craves the ice, he said once her iron count is back up she won't feel the need to eat so much ice. Hope this helps answer some of your questions. ]

I would have your sister get a blood test from your family doctor. That should tell you definitively if there is anything wrong.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Eating Ice or other unusual entities such as dirt, detergent, etc. is known as PICA. Pica is a result of pregnancy and cravings. Eating Ice is not necessarily a sign of anemia but if there are othe factors such as easy bruising, yellowish nails, angular chelosis, brittle hair, she must go to the doctor for a RBC count. However in the meantime, she should eat plenty of Folate found in Spinach as well as, Iron because this can also be a result of iron deficiency found in foods such as red meet and Folate in Orange juice.
If you do suspect anemia make an appointment with the doc.

Answer 5

It can be a sign of low iron. However, I started eating crushed ice over a year ago to help with my snacking issues. So it depends, ask her why she has suddenly started eating ice and if she does not have a reason, then ask her to have her blood checked for low iron.

Answer 6

some habit bordering on fetish, yet to no longer problem too plenty approximately. ingesting lot of ice, I recommend licking and chewing, could upload as much as greater desirable intake of water that dilutes the salt and minerals and their balances interior the cells / blood changing ph values etc---no good for metabolism and absorption of nutrition /and non-nutrition (supplements etc.) i could recommend you drink much less of water, thereby compensating ingesting ice and you look into the source of the ice you're taking--like no remember if it rather is from the freezer or bought from exterior and how plenty water is getting used to make it etc. particular micro organism I heard nevertheless thrive on ice. So pay attention and stay cool.

Answer 7

Yes, that can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia, but not necessarily. She should visit her doctor and have her blood checked. I am a PA, and have done that myself in the past.

Answer 8

Anemia is iron deficeincy. Yes she might be, or she could be pregnant. She should becareful though because chewing ice puts tiny microscopic cracks in your teeth and makes you more vulerable to cavities.

Answer 9

I know someone who is anemic and comulsively eats ice. Just tell her to go to the doctor if she has been doing it for a while...its a simple blood test. They also sell ferrous sulfate over the counter.

Answer 10

Eating ice is an early sign of an iron deficiency, which in turn if the iron levels get too low can result in anemia.

Better to be safe than sorry - recommend she get her iron levels checked.

Good luck!

Answer 11

anemia, is a lack of red blood cells, usually from a decrease in iron or hemoglobin....i dont think a little frozen h2o has anything to do with anemia.