Chewing Ice and Anemia

[kaiwik]

I had to visit the dentist twice last week, and during the first visit I was talking to the dentist regarding my “oral habits” <snerk> and mentioned that I like to chew ice. A lot. He responded by saying that I am probably anemic, as chewing ice is a symptom of anemia. Did he whoosh me, or is this a fact?

[ParentalAdvisory]

Anemia

Wiki Anemia symptoms:

@Wiki

Anemia goes undetected in many people, and symptoms can be vague. Most commonly, people with anemia report a feeling of weakness or fatigue, general malaise and sometimes a poor concentration. People with more severe anemia often report dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion. Very severe anemia prompts the body to compensate by increasing cardiac output, leading to palpitations and sweatiness, and to heart failure.

…because ice is a great source of iron, lol.
But then I did some more searching on google… many claims of chewing ice “causing” anemia (a lot of finds on this :dubious: ), to chewing ice as a sign of “having” anemia. IMO (I know GQ and all), it sounds like a lot of whooey. I believe a blood test can confirm anemia and should be the only way to find out.

[Apricot]

I think it’s that chewing ice could be a symptom of pica- the urge to eat unedibles. Pica is sometimes thought to be a symptom of anemia. The studies I’ve seen trying to link pica to mineral deficiencies are weak, at best.

[bibliophage]

The idea that pagophagia (eating ice) is a symptom (not cause) of iron-deficiency anemia goes back to at least the 1960s. I found an article in The Annals of Internal Medicine from 1968 showing that the craving for ice disappears when the anemia is treated. The authors admit that “the exact mechanism remains obscure.” That was 1968, so perhaps medical science has an explanation today.

None of this is to say that eating ice is a sure sign of anemia. The authors say “5 to 10% of normal persons enjoy eating ice without overt anemia.”

Geophagia (eating dirt or clay) would seem to make more sense, since dirt often contains iron. Both are forms of pica, which Cecil discusses here

[bbs2k]

Here is a <snip> from Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications, authored by Bernadette Rodak regarding anemia:

In physical examinations, certain features should be evaluated closely, such as skin (e.g. pallor, jaundice, petechiae), eyes (hemorrhage), mouth (mucosal bleeding), sternal tenderness, lymphadenopathy, cardiac murmurs, splenomegaly, and heptaomegaly. (Note: This is by no means a complete list. Many anemias have common manifestations.)

Moderate anemias (hb 7-10 g/dL) may not produce clinical signs or symptoms if the onset of the anemia is slow. Depending on the patient’s age and cardiovascular state, however, moderate anemias may be associated with pallor of conjectivae and of nail beds, dsypnea, vertigo, headache, muscle weakness, lethargy, and other symptoms.

Underlines are mine.

There are many times when a real illness/disease can just produce odd unexplainable symptoms. I believe a previous poster alluded to an unconcious trigger to chew ice to stimulate the circulatory system, possibly in order to increase the oxygenation of tissue.

My last anecdotal addition to this subject would be to include that “Impending Doom” is an actual symptom of some diseases including acute myeloid leukemia. Of course it could also mean you’re a hypochondriac, but throughout the years it has been recognized by many doctors.

[ASAKMOTSD]

I always heard that chewing ice was a symptom of sexual frustration.

…just sayin

[Sri_Theo]

It’s also a way for people who self harm themselves to avoid- actually- hurting themselves, by holding on to it tightly or keeping lots of it in their mouths.

[StGermain]

I will give the ever-unpopular anecdotal evidence that my sister, who suffered from a pretty long-term anemia, was an ice chewer, and that it stopped after she had her hysterectomy and the iron deficiency regulated itself. For years you couldn’t find her without a glass of ice or ice water.

StG

[C3]

And I’ll add another anecdote. During both of my pregnancies, I craved ice (and chewed it constantly while awake), mildewy smells, cigarette smoke, and the smell of certain laundry detergents (which I was tempted to eat, but didn’t). During both pregnancies, I was tested for anemia, found to be iron-deficient, and treated with iron supplements. The cravings disappeared as soon as treatment began.

[kaiwik]

Thanks, I appreciate all the comments. I have only ever been anemic after giving birth, and the insides of my eye lids and my gums are all nice and pink, which were very pale when I was anemic, and I feel moderately well, so I am not really concerned, just curious as I had never heard such an idea. I am due to go in for blood work soon, and will find out then what my red cell count is then.

I have always chewed ice, ever since I was a young 'un, and that was a while back to say the least. I don’t crave it so much as substitute it for drinking plain water and/or snacking on crunchy food items which have more calories than I need. My dentist said that he “bet” that I was anemic, I will be pleased if when my blood work comes back and I have a healthy red blood count. Alternately, I will probably not mention it if I happen to be on the pale side of healthy!

Thanks again, interesting speculations.

[KarlGauss]

This thread has some sage discussion on the topic ( ) and some excellent links.

[bbs2k]

@kaiwik

Thanks, I appreciate all the comments.

Happy to add comments. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.