MENTAL HEALTH Archives

Cheilophagy corresponds to the pathological action that consists in constantly biting the lips. Many people occasionally bite their lips when they are anxious. However, for some people, lip biting can become a habit that impacts their daily lives. It is not easy to overcome such compulsive behavior that has become unconscious. But by trying to understand the causes, physical or psychological, one can find the most suitable treatment to get rid of this habit. What is cheilophagia? The term cheilophagy comes from the Greek word kheîlos which means “lip” and from the Greek word phágen which means “to eat”. Thus, cheilophagia, or chilophagia, corresponds to a mania or a tic which consists in constantly biting the lips, generally the lower lip. It should be differentiated from self-bites inflicted in certain very rare neurological syndromes, such as neuroacanthocytosis. People with cheilophagia may: to bite; bite oneself ; eat your lips. There are variations, such as biting the inside of the cheeks. What are the consequences of cheilophagia? Cheilophagy can cause: Cheilitis or traumatic inflammation of the lips; Redness of the lips ; Deep and painful ulceration of the lips. Cheilophagia usually evolves in phases that may be preceded by an anxious struggle, followed by a feeling of relief, even satisfaction. In some cases, this habit can turn into compulsive and unconscious behavior, which can impact the quality of life. This is why it can be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD in some cases. What causes cheilophagia? The causes of cheilophagia can be of two types: Physical causes: Psychological causes. The physical causes of cheilophagia In some cases, physical causes can cause a person to bite their lips when using their mouth to speak or chew, such as: Teeth alignment problems, known as malocclusion. It can be an overbite or an underbite, which can lead to crowding of the teeth; Jaw disorders; Temporomandibular disorders or TMD, affect the chewing muscles. The psychological causes of cheilophagia We may bite our lips as a physical response to an emotional state, such as: The stress ; The fear ; Anxiety. Chronic lip biting is also an example of body-focused repetitive behavior or CRCC. This term refers to any repetitive self-directed behavior that damages skin, hair, or nails. The CRCC is a coping mechanism in situations where a person feels uncomfortable or anxious. People who suffer from it find in repetitive behaviors a way to relieve their painful emotions. CRCCs begin at the onset of puberty, between the ages of 11 and 14. Some studies suggest that people with close relatives who engage in such a habit are more likely to develop one themselves. How to fight against cheilophagia? It is essential to understand the underlying cause of cheilophagia in order to identify the most effective treatment to overcome this tic. Physical causes such as dental problems can be cured by treating the underlying problem. To do this, a dental professional will recommend treatment options, which may include: Fitting dental braces; Extraction of one or more teeth. When the biting of the lips is due to a psychological cause and this gesture leads to a deterioration in the quality of life, a psychologist can recommend an appropriate treatment, even behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT, in particular for the people with CRCC. This approach focuses on changing specific behaviors by identifying their causes. Step by step, it allows you to modify your behavior and your unconscious gestures. The patient may also use habit reversal training, which is a type of CBT that is particularly effective in treating CRCC and tics. This type of therapy takes place in three key stages: Awareness training, so that people notice their habit when it occurs; Create a competing response, which is a different action a person can take when they feel the urge to bite their lip; Providing social support, which can be vital in helping a person overcome their anxiety habits. Other forms of psychotherapy, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT, help regulate anxious emotions through emotional acceptance work and mindfulness meditation techniques. The four aspects of DBT are: Mindfulness; Distress tolerance; The regulation of emotions; Interpersonal effectiveness. Other behavioral therapies that may treat CRCC include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Comprehensive Behavioral Model of Treatment. Both of these therapies are relatively new and more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Finally, in cases of severe anxiety, depression, or OCD, a medical professional may advise medication treatment, such as: Clomipramine; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. What is Autophagy? Autophagy is the process by which cells recycle their own components. In simple terms, autophagy can be thought of as a cellular housekeeping process that disassembles unnecessary or damaged cellular components, such as proteins, lipids, and organelles, and recycles their building blocks for the synthesis of new molecules. Autophagy plays a crucial role in cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and stress response. Mechanisms of Autophagy Autophagy can be divided into three main steps: initiation, vesicle nucleation and elongation, and vesicle fusion with lysosomes. The initiation phase involves the activation of a complex of proteins called the ULK complex, which triggers the formation of a structure called the isolation membrane. The isolation membrane engulfs the cytoplasmic cargo to be degraded, forming a double-membraned vesicle called the autophagosome. The autophagosome then fuses with lysosomes, forming an autolysosome. The lysosomal enzymes degrade the contents of the autolysosome, which are then recycled. Types of Autophagy There are three types of autophagy: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Macroautophagy is the most extensively studied and involves the formation of autophagosomes. Microautophagy involves the direct engulfment of cytosolic components by lysosomes. CMA is a selective form of autophagy that degrades specific proteins. What is the difference between autophagy and crinophagy? While autophagy and crinophagy are both involved in the degradation and recycling of cellular components, they differ in several ways. Function: Autophagy is a general process that recycles cellular components, while crinophagy is a specialized form of autophagy that is specific to secretory cells. Targeted Components: Autophagy targets a wide range of cellular components, including proteins, lipids, and organelles, while crinophagy specifically targets excess or damaged secretory granules. Mechanism: Autophagy involves the formation of autophagosomes, which engulf and transport cytoplasmic cargo to lysosomes. In contrast, crinophagy involves the direct recognition and degradation of secretory granules by lysosomes. Trigger: Autophagy can be triggered by various cellular stressors, such as nutrient deprivation or oxidative stress, while crinophagy is triggered by the accumulation of excess or damaged proteins in secretory granules. Importance of Autophagy and Crinophagy for Human Health Autophagy and crinophagy play essential roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, preventing the accumulation of toxic proteins, and regulating cellular metabolism. Dysregulation of autophagy and crinophagy has been implicated in various human diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Studies have shown that boosting autophagy and crinophagy may have therapeutic benefits for these conditions. For example, caloric restriction and exercise have been shown to enhance autophagy and improve metabolic health, while pharmacological activation of autophagy has been proposed as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. How to Boost Autophagy and Crinophagy Several lifestyle and dietary factors have been shown to enhance autophagy and crinophagy: Caloric restriction: Caloric restriction is one of the most potent stimuli for autophagy and has been shown to extend lifespan in various animal models. Exercise: Exercise can enhance autophagy in various tissues, such as skeletal muscle and liver, and improve metabolic health. Intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that involves periodic periods of fasting, which has been shown to enhance autophagy and improve metabolic health. Pharmacological agents: Several pharmacological agents, such as rapamycin and resveratrol, have been shown to activate autophagy and have potential therapeutic benefits. Conclusion In conclusion, autophagy and crinophagy are two vital processes that allow cells to degrade and recycle cellular components. While these processes share some similarities, they differ in their mechanisms, functions, and targets. Boosting autophagy and crinophagy through lifestyle and dietary factors may have therapeutic benefits for various human diseases. FAQs Q1. Are autophagy and crinophagy the same thing? No, autophagy and crinophagy are two different processes that involve the degradation and recycling of cellular components. Autophagy is a general process that recycles various cellular components, while crinophagy is a specialized form of autophagy that specifically targets excess or damaged secretory granules in secretory cells. Q2. What is the role of autophagy in cancer? Autophagy plays a complex role in cancer, as it can have both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects. While autophagy can prevent the accumulation of DNA damage and inhibit tumor growth in some contexts, it can also promote tumor cell survival and drug resistance in other contexts. Q3. Can autophagy be activated through dietary interventions? Yes, several dietary interventions have been shown to enhance autophagy. Caloric restriction and intermittent fasting are two approaches that have been shown to activate autophagy and improve metabolic health. Certain dietary components, such as polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, have also been shown to activate autophagy. Q4. What is the connection between autophagy and neurodegenerative diseases? Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Autophagy dysfunction can lead to the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates, which can contribute to neuronal damage and cell death. Q5. Can crinophagy be therapeutically targeted? Crinophagy is a relatively new area of research, and there are currently no specific pharmacological agents that target this process. However, several studies have suggested that modulating autophagy may indirectly affect crinophagy in secretory cells. Therefore, pharmacological agents that activate autophagy may have potential therapeutic benefits for diseases involving crinophagy dysfunction.

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Category: MENTAL HEALTH