[LadyBugLass]

What does everyone actually KNOW about the connection between being anemic and the insatiable appetite for chewing ice?? I know that it is generally acknowledged as a symptom of anemia, but no one can tell me WHY, an actual physiological reason. Hmm.

[JustaPatient]

god when people chew ice it anoys me beond all belief. my best friend and sister do it all the time.

[LISAMAR]

I don't think science has figured out exactly why... just some combination of psychological and biochemical factors.

[unknown99]

I don't know why either. But, when I was pregnant with the last 3 babies, I chomped on ice like a mad woman!!!

[Marie_LPN, RN]

It's a form of pica.

I've heard theories that the brain relates the taste of ice to a metallic taste, etc.

[Gennaver]

Originally Posted by megkirpas

god when people chew ice it anoys me beond all belief. my best friend and sister do it all the time.

Hi,
I bet their dentists have probably told them not to do this, hard to stop I do not doubt.
I saw a documentary and it included how our teeth are hard yet porous and that chewing ice forces those spongy pores open wider and wider, (microscopically).

Yeowch.
Gen

[YoungWiseWoman]

I vote for pica. When I read your post that is the first thing that came to mind. Can't remember the rationale off hand, but maybe this gives you a lead.
Ketcia

[RNin2007]

"a bad habit." I remember my mom telling me...stopppp chewing ice or you'll ruin your teeth! Now I have done it my whole life, haven't technically *ruined* my teeth, but i'm sure it's not good for them (the ice expands the enamel...creates weak spots...etc.). Even more fun. I now get to tell my OWN daughter who learned the "bad habit" from her mother....stopppp chewing ice or you'll ruin your teeth! Oy.

~J

[Zee_RN]

My sister has iron-deficiency anemia and she ALWAYS chews ice!

My anemic patient today asked me for a cup of ice. She was unaware of the connection but said, yes, she chews ice frequently!

[Praiser]

I can say that I felt this urge back last year. All I wanted to do was chew ice.
I would stop at a 7-11 just to get a cup full of the "soft" ice out of their machine. I had never had this urge before and did not know why I had it now. At a routine physical, my doc did blood work and dang if I wasn't anemic. Took me totally off guard.. I started on an iron suppliment and the anemia has gone...so has the ice chewing. Strange but true in my case.. Not sure of the metabolic reasons why though.
LPN 90