Pagophagia: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes, Side Effects, Treatment, And More

Have you ever craved ice… at some point in our lives, we all have chewed ice. Scientifically, craving ice is related to iron or calcium deficiency. But do you know psychologically, craving ice compulsively can be associated with a mental health condition? Yes, pagophagia is a health condition that causes people to crave and chew ice compulsively.

Pagophagia is a type of pica which is an eating disorder. Pica involves craving and eating items that do not contain any nutritional value or are not considered eatables. For example, people who crave and eat sand or chalk might be diagnosed with pica. If you crave and eat ice occasionally, you must know that it is not normal to be involved in such habits.

Someone who compulsively craves and eats ice is diagnosed with pagophagia. In this blog, we will understand what pagophagia is, its symptoms, causes, side effects, diagnosis, treatment, and more.

What is Pagophagia?

Pagophagia is a health condition that causes people to crave and chew ice compulsively. Pagophagia is a type of pica which is an eating disorder. Pica involves craving and eating items that do not contain any nutritional value or are not considered eatables.

Symptoms of Pagophagia

Compulsion is one of the important signs or symptoms of pagophagia. Compulsively and continuously craving and eating ice for a long time is one of the biggest symptoms to recognize for pagophagia.

In this condition, a person not only craves ice but also craves frosting in the freezer, drinks iced drinks, and eats ice cubes directly from the freezer. Pagophagia associated with pica can also be caused by the presence of mental health conditions like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities. Below listed are some other signs and symptoms of pagophagia:

• Headache
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sore tongue
• Poor appetite

Causes of Pagophagia

Research shows that there’s no single exact cause known behind the development of pagophagia. This condition is generally caused by various reasons, such as:

Iron Deficiency:

Due to a lack of iron in the body or anemia, people tend to eat ice. Symptoms of iron deficiency such as weakness, pale skin, swollen tongue, and fatigue can make people crave ice. Research shows that iron deficiency can also result in pagophagia because it provides relief for symptoms like swollen tongue, fatigue, and others.

Psychiatric disorders:

Psychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can result in pagophagia. Research shows that compulsion associated with pagophagia can also be developed in response to obsession. Some people might also eat ice in response to stressful or anxious situations.

Additionally, pregnancy can also be related to the development of pagophagia. Research shows that pregnant women usually crave ice during pregnancy period and such cravings usually go away after giving birth.

Side Effects of Pagophagia

Below are some of the known side effects of consuming ice regularly and compulsively:

• Teeth damage such as cracked teeth, sore mouth, and irritated gums
• Nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition
• Metabolic disorders such as hyponatremia
• Anemia-related complications such as enlarged heart, irregular heartbeat, and increased infections
• Heart issues
• Issues during pregnancy such as low birth weight and premature birth
• Growth and developmental issues

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pagophagia

Chewing ice is harmless, but it can be a sign of an underlying physical or mental health condition. This is why, it is always suggested to connect with a health provider and seek proper diagnosis for unhealthy cravings or chewing habits.

During the diagnosis process, a physician is likely to run some blood tests. After diagnosis and counseling, the physician may direct to a psychologist depending on the severity and presence of symptoms. If you think you or your loved one might be struggling with the symptoms of pagophagia, connect with a health provider today.

Coming forth to the treatment process, initially, the prescription of a physical health provider is required. For example, if the cravings are related to iron deficiency, the doctor may prescribe supplements that can help stop the cravings.

Herein, your physician can also connect you with a registered dietitian for an iron-rich diet. In cases of mental health-related symptoms or problems, a physician may direct the client to a psychologist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Research shows that symptoms of depression can also be related to the development of pagophagia. In such cases, psychotherapy combined with medications and supplements might be prescribed.

In cases of other underlying mental health conditions, a psychologist may run a few diagnostic tests and prescribe psychotherapy options accordingly. Generally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is prescribed. CBT helps people replace their negative thoughts or patterns with positive ones.

To connect with an experienced and certified mental health professional, click below:

Get Help Great for CBT Based therapists $40/week, billed every 4 weeks Therapy via messaging, phone, or live video chat Specialization for CBT based Therapy 20% off your first month LEARN MORE Best for Treatment Plants $60 to $90/week, billed every 4 weeks Therapy via messaging, phone, or live video chat Flexible cancellation at any time $100 off your first month with code SPACE LEARN MORE

Self-Help Tips to Overcome or Manage Pagophagia

If you or your loved one is recently diagnosed with pagophagia, here’s what you can do to heal effectively along with the treatment process:

• Consume an iron or calcium-rich diet.
• Connect with a registered dietitian to understand your cravings.
• Build a support system and express your feelings or emotions related to compulsion.
• Connect with a mental health professional to seek further diagnosis and understand the root cause behind compulsions.

I hope this blog helps you understand everything you want to know about pagophagia. For more such content, connect with us through social media platforms.

Thanks for reading!