Geophagia

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Geophagia

Geophagia (pronounced: jee-oh-fay-jee-uh) is a condition characterized by a compulsion to eat earth or soil-like substances such as clay, chalk, or dirt. The term is derived from the Greek words "geo" meaning earth and "phagia" meaning to eat.

Etymology

The term Geophagia is derived from the Greek words "geo" meaning earth and "phagia" meaning to eat. It was first used in the English language in the early 19th century.

Related Terms

  • Pica: A psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive, such as ice, hair, paper, drywall or paint, metal, stones or soil, glass, feces, and chalk.
  • Anemia: A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness. Geophagia can sometimes be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
  • Malnutrition: Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. In some cases, geophagia can be a result of malnutrition.

See Also

References

External links

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