Pagophagiais a term used to describe the compulsion to chew ice.
While chewing ice may seem like a harmless habit, it may result in damage to the teeth.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of pagophagia.
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It also explains how pagophagia is diagnosed and what can be done to manage this condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Pagophagia?
The primary symptom of pagophagia is the compulsive chewing and eating of ice.
This cause may be psychological but may also be a physiological response to iron-deficiency anemia.
A classic sign of pica-associated pagophagia is relentless chewing of ice even when teeth are damaged or missing.
Iron-deficiency anemia is a form of anemia that triggers when you don’t have enough iron in your body.
Iron deficiency tends to develop slowly because the body usually has ample reserves in the bone marrow and liver.
What Causes Pagophagia?
As with the symptoms of pagophagia, the causes of pagophagia may be either psychological or physiological.
Psychological Causes
Occasional ice chewing is not an indication of pagophagia.
Iron Deficiency
Within the context of anemia, pagophagia can develop in response to acute iron deficiency.
Similarly, in pregnant women, the need for oxygen doubles as the baby grows.
There is evidence, however, that pagophagia and other forms of picacausethe nutritional deficiencies that lead to anemia.
This includes eating disorders that commonly accompany pica, OCD, depression, and other mental health conditions.
It is unclear how common pagophagia is in people with iron-deficiency anemia.
Dry Mouth
In some cases, pagophagia may be triggered bydry mouth(xerostomia).
This condition happens when there isn’t enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
How Is Pagophagia Diagnosed?
Diagnosing Pica
There are no lab tests to diagnose pagophagia or any other form of pica.
Key to this is the persistence of the behavior for more than a month.
Other causes will also be considered (such as pregnancy and gastric bypass).
Ideally, lab tests will be performed to determine if there is an iron deficiency.
If suspected,autismmay also be explored.
This can prevent misdiagnosis and the inappropriate treatment of a physical rather than a psychological condition.
There are several a doctor can perform from a single blood draw to confirm a deficiency.
Results from these tests usually can be returned within one to three business days, depending on the lab.
In the end, if pagophagia is present, blood iron should be tested.
How Is Pagophagia Treated?
The treatment of pagophagia is directed by the cause.
Psychological causes tend to require extensive and sometimes ongoing care.
Treating physical causes may involve managing the underlying condition.
Currently, there are no medications approved for the treatment of pica.
Additional treatments may be needed based on the underlying cause of iron deficiency.
Iron supplements should not be used on an ongoing basis unless directed by a doctor.
What Are the Complications of Pagophagia?
Dental Problems
One problem that can occur with pagophagia is tooth damage.
This is especially true for children with the condition whose teeth are still developing.
Chewing ice habitually can damage toothenameland lead to problems such astooth painand increased cold sensitivity.
Anemia Complications
Complications can occur if pagophagia is due to iron deficiency anemia.
In most cases, the habit may be irritating but is otherwise harmless.
It is only when it becomes compulsive or excessive that you should consider seeing a healthcare provider.
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