Why do you eat raw flour? maybe this is the cause

Carbohydrates are substances that the body needs as its main energy source. You can get carbohydrates from a variety of foods, most of which are found in starchy foods - such as rice, bread, and noodles. Eating these three staple foods is common, in cooked form. But for some people, they have an irresistible desire to eat wheat flour in its most natural form: raw flour. You are one of them?

What could it be causing, and is it dangerous?

Amylophagia, the habit of eating raw wheat flour

In the medical world, the habit of eating raw wheat flour is called amylophagia which is included in the pica eating disorder. Pica itself is an unnatural eating behavior, which is characterized by the desire to eat something that is not actually eaten.

In addition to raw flour, someone who has amylophagia can also eat raw rice, raw cassava, raw potatoes, and raw potatoes. These food sources contain starch, a type of water insoluble carbohydrate similar to that found in raw wheat flour.

Eating large amounts of raw flour is not good for your health, it can even be dangerous. The reason is, flour is produced through a series of chemical processes, and is almost zero in nutrients. Amylophagia is a rare condition, but common in pregnant women who have cravings.

What caused it?

The exact cause of amylophagia is unknown, and is still being investigated by experts.

In some people, pica can occur because they want to feel the texture of a food or object in their mouth. In addition, pica can also be caused by deficiency of vitamins, iron, and / or the mineral zinc. In adults, pica can be triggered by mental disorders such asobsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) and schizophrenia.

In children, pica can be caused by a lack of parental attention to their child's habits. Family conditions that are less harmonious can lead to the development of abnormal behavior, one of which is pica. Initially this habit can be caused by the child's ignorance of eating objects that are not supposed to be eaten, but it can also continue after the child is forbidden to do so. If this behavior tends to be consistent in children over a long period of time, it may be a sign of developmental disorders such as mental retardation, autism, and brain disorders.

What are the symptoms?

A person who has amylophagia can be seen by the large supply of flour in his house. Often he will eat raw flour secretly. But when the desire is irresistible, he may just ignore eating flour in public.

The duration of a person experiencing pica can vary, but a person is said to have pica if they have had abnormal eating habits for more than one month.

What is the effect if pica is not cured?

Pica is usually only diagnosed when a sufferer experiences various health problems caused by eating disorders. Here are some of the health effects that people with pica may experience:

Gastrointestinal infections - flour is produced through a series of chemical processes. Various germs are also very likely to reside in raw flour and can enter the body, causing infection of the throat to the intestinal tract.
Tooth decay- carbohydrates are sugar. Left to settle in the mouth, this can lead to tooth decay.
Bowel obstruction - flour can compact in the intestine and cause blockage, otherwise known as intestinal obstruction. It is characterized by physical changes such as swelling around the stomach, as well as symptoms of stomach cramps and constipation.
Malnutrition- can occur when a pica sufferer only consumes unnatural objects or experiences impaired absorption of nutrients as a result of abnormal eating behavior. Malnutrition can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
Trouble in babies- very likely experienced by pregnant women who have pica, several disorders including low birth weight, premature babies, abnormal mental and physical development. Pica in pregnant women can also poison babies and cause death.

When to see a doctor

If you or someone closest to you has any of the following symptoms, it's a good idea to see a doctor for a better diagnosis and treatment. Without proper management, various complications can arise, such as:

Iron deficiency anemia
Bowel obstruction
Malnutrition
A hard mass develops on the stomach

Can this eating disorder be treated?

Treatment therapy for amylophagia begins by controlling the main problems, such as those related to medication problems or nutritional deficiencies, based on the doctor's recommendation.

In addition to treatment, monitoring and minimizing the person's access to sources of pica triggers also still needs to be done until he can truly control his eating behavior. One trick that is considered effective for controlling amylophagia tendencies is to apply punishment or consequences for the bad habit. Provision of healthy and varied foods and vitamin supplementation that contain iron are believed to reduce the desire to consume raw flour.

If amylophagia is suspected to be a sign of mental disorders or mental retardation, then therapy should be adjusted to control the behavior. For example, with CBT psychotherapy which can be combined with medical drugs.

Can amylophagia be cured?

With appropriate and routine therapy, the tendency for amylophagia can completely disappear. In childhood, most of the abnormal eating patterns go away on their own. However, some cases of pica that started in childhood can continue into adulthood.

Talk to your doctor to find out more about amylophagia and what to do to treat amylophagia.

How to prevent it?

Until now, there has not been found any prevention against amylophagia. However, if someone is already suspected of having amylophagia, you can limit or block their access to raw flour and other food sources of raw carbohydrates.