Hypoxia and Medicine

Is there a medical condition that warrants someone to chew ice?

I have read that certain people have cravings for ice because of low iron and things like that but is there an actual medical condition that is help/treatment to chew ice? I have someone at work that chews ice all day long and it is so distracting and the reason she is giving is that she has this medical condition that requires her to chew ice. I find it hard to believe chewing ice will help anything. if it does wouldn't drinking water do the same thing?

Public Comments

1. She might have meant that she has a medical condition that CAUSES her to chew ice (like the iron deficiency that you mentioned). As far as I know, there's no condition that REQUIRES you to chew ice. ??
2. Chewing ice does not hold nutritional value, it sounds more like a habbit, Ice is water and water is good for the body, it does not hold high amounts of iron, (I am a Personal fitness trainer) This seems a bit odd, If she thinks she has iron problems tell her to get checked out and take a vitamin, but ice is not for iron, its for dehydration only!
3. Chewing ice is really bad for your teeth! I don't think there's any medical condition which would cause you to do this.