Desiderosmia (Craving of Olfaction): A Novel Symptom Associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia | Blood | American Society of Hematology.
When these chemicals enter the body they release dopamine and can cause a euphoric effect (in addition to raising the risk of cancer, neurological problems, and respiratory disease). So these smells may be appealing or even addictive in a similar way to opiates, which also release dopamine.
The truth is that as many as 68% of all pregnant women will experience cravings, usually due to hormonal changes. Throughout pregnancy, as the different hormones fluctuate, women may find that they are sensitive to the smells of certain foods, actually to the point of nausea in some cases.
Doctors use the term "pica" to describe craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value — such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear.
Conclusion This study found a negative effect of IDA on olfactory function. IDA leads to a reduction in olfactory function, and decreases in hemoglobin levels result in further reduction in olfactory function.
The explanation lies in the mechanisms of the sense of smell. Odors are directly confronted with the area dedicated to emotions in our brain, to be then memorized and finally conscious. So even if the memories are shaped by all our senses, a particular smell is enough to revive them in our nervous system.
Iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition are two of the most common causes of pica, followed by pregnancy. In these individuals, pica is a sign that the body is trying to correct a significant nutrient deficiency. Treating this deficiency with medication or vitamins often resolves the problems.
Iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition are two of the most common pica causes. Thus, pica cravings are signs that the body is seeking additional nutrients. In these cases, vitamins, supplements, and a healthy diet can therefore correct pica.
Pica is a mental health condition where a person compulsively swallows non-food items. It's especially common in children and with certain conditions. While it's often harmless, swallowing certain items can make pica very hazardous.
As with so many pregnancy symptoms, when it comes to your keener sense of smell, you can once again blame those pregnancy hormones. In this case, estrogen can make every little scent that wafts your way feel like an all-out assault on your nostrils.
Will pica affect my pregnancy? Eating nonfood substances can interfere with your body's ability to absorb nutrients and may even cause a deficiency, which could then affect the nutrients your baby is able to absorb during pregnancy, leading to birth disorders.
Although research hasn't confirmed a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, about two-thirds of pregnant women say they are more sensitive to scents, a condition called hyperosmia. One possible reason for the strong sense of smell is changing hormone levels.
According to Health Impact News article, “Fragrances contain chemicals that have narcotic-like properties. The substances might not produce a traditional narcotic high, but they do cause dependency, which triggers the need for repeated use of the product to avoid the discomfort and irritability of withdrawal.” So, yes.
Aromas such as lavender can help to soothe you, she says. “Breathing in that scent takes your mind off of the frustration or the stress you are experiencing,” she says. “As you breathe in and experience the scent, you get out of your head and into the moment.”
How Does a Good Scent Make You Happy? When a fragrance travels to your brain through the nose it releases feel-good endorphins and serotonin. These can improve your mood giving you mental clarity and easing your tension.
Some of the most commonly described types of pica are eating earth, soil, or clay (geophagia); ice (pagophagia); and starch (amylophagia). However, pica involving dozens of other substances, including cigarette butts and ashes, hair, paint chips, and paper have also been reported.
What causes pica? There's no single cause of pica. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be associated with pica. For example, anemia, usually from iron deficiency, may be the underlying cause of pica in pregnant women.
Pica, or the eating of non-food items, was commonly seen in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other types of developmental disabilities in which the child had some autism symptoms, intellectual disability (ID), or both.
Response of pica and other eating disorders as well as OCD to SSRIs implies that the serotonin system dysfunction was the underlying mechanism in these disorders. As a result this case is supportive data that pica can be a disorder in OCD spectrum.
Pica can be classified as an addiction, as it is characterized by a compulsion to ingest substances that are harmful. Although rare, pica can co-occur with other substance use disorders.
Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are related to decreased oxygen delivery to the entire body and may include: Being pale or having yellow "sallow" skin. Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy. Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity.
Iron is lost from the body through sweat, shedding intestinal cells, and blood loss. About one third of the world's population is iron deficient. Menstruating women are at greater risk than men and postmenopausal women of iron deficiency.