How Do You Spell TRICHOPHAGY?
Pronunciation: [tɹˈɪt͡ʃəfˌad͡ʒi] (IPA) 
Correct spelling for the English word "trichophagy" is [tɹˈɪt͡ʃəfˌad͡ʒi], [tɹˈɪtʃəfˌadʒi], [t_ɹ_ˈɪ_tʃ_ə_f_ˌa_dʒ_i] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Pronunciation: [tɹˈɪt͡ʃəfˌad͡ʒi] (IPA)
Correct spelling for the English word "trichophagy" is [tɹˈɪt͡ʃəfˌad͡ʒi], [tɹˈɪtʃəfˌadʒi], [t_ɹ_ˈɪ_tʃ_ə_f_ˌa_dʒ_i] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Trichophagy is a medical term that refers to the consumption or compulsive chewing of hair. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words, "trichos" meaning hair and "phagein" meaning to eat or consume. Trichophagy is categorized as an eating disorder and falls within the spectrum of a condition known as pica.
People affected by trichophagy often have an irresistible urge to chew, bite, or eat their own hair or the hair of others. This behavior is commonly associated with individuals suffering from a psychiatric condition called trichotillomania, which is characterized by a recurrent and impulsive urge to pull out one's own hair.
The consumption of hair can have serious health consequences. The act of consuming hair can lead to a condition called trichobezoar, in which a mass of hair clumps together within the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause a blockage in the intestines and lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and compromised digestion.
Treatment for trichophagy typically involves a combination of behavioral therapy and counseling to address the underlying psychological causes of the disorder. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to remove any hair mass or repair damage caused by trichobezoars.
In conclusion, trichophagy is a medical term used to describe the compulsive chewing or consumption of hair, often associated with the psychiatric condition trichotillomania. It can have serious health consequences and requires appropriate treatment to address both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.
The tic of biting the hair.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "trichophagy" comes from the combination of two Greek roots, "tricho-" and "-phagy".
The first root, "tricho-", is derived from the Greek word "trichos" (τριχός), meaning "hair". The second root, "-phagy", is derived from the Greek word "phagein" (φαγεῖν), which means "to eat" or "to consume".
Therefore, "trichophagy" literally translates to "hair-eating" or "consuming hair". This term is used to describe the compulsive behavior of individuals who engage in the consumption of hair, which is known as a psychiatric disorder called trichophagia.
