How to get rid of the habit of eating mud and bricks?

Question

Hello doctor,

My sister is eating either mudbricks or cement. We do not know from when she started to eat cement but sometimes we noted her eating cement. Her age is 18 and she has been eating these for four years.

I want to know why she is eating all these and what happens when she eats bricks, mud, or cement. What must be done to make her leave this habit?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query. I can understand your concern.

A few people have this kind of problem. This habit is referred to as ‘pica and occurs due to a deficiency of iron and other minerals.

I suggest you dehydrate her. Consult your physician and ask her to take a tablet of Albendazole 400 mg once a day. It will help in dehydrating her. Along with that, she needs iron supplementation for a long time. For that start giving her two tablets of Abhraloha (Haritaki) twice a day with water or milk for four weeks. Along with that give her fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables.

Do follow-up either with me or your local physician after two weeks.

I hope I have answered your question.

Do get back in case of any further queries.

Thank you.