What Causes Polyphagia?

Polyphagia, also called hyperphagia, is the medical term for continual excessive hunger without an obvious cause such as excessive activity or a long duration between meals. The desire to consume food does not go away, or returns quickly, after eating. Though excessive hunger sometimes happens when an individual exercises a lot or does not eat a diet with sufficient protein and fiber, when it is solely due to causes like these, the desire to eat relents once the necessary adjustments are made (e.g., reducing exercise, getting more protein and fiber). True polyphagia can be caused by genetic disorders, neurological disorders, or disease. In all cases, the underlying cause must be addressed for symptoms to end. Get to know the common causes of polyphagia now.

Hypoglycemia

Symptoms of hypoglycemia, which can result in polyphagia, include a headache, dizziness, lack of focus, sweating and shaking. Hypoglycemic patients must increase their blood sugar level quickly for these symptoms to abate. The healthiest way this can be done is by drinking a small glass of juice or by eating a piece of fruit. However, these options will not always work right away, and the desire to eat excessively is evident. Recurring hypoglycemia is seen with many diabetes patients when blood glucose, instead of being absorbed, is flushed out of the body through urination. When blood sugar is low, the cells have no way to create energy to carry out basic functions requiring the individual to feel like they need to eat constantly. Individuals can maintain consistent blood sugar levels by consuming a combination of complex carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in each meal.

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Increased Stress

When individuals are exposed to increased stress, cortisol, the stress hormone, is released. This hormone helps prepare the body to deal with the stressor by signaling the release of glucose from the pancreas into the bloodstream. If this extra energy source is not utilized by the body from physical activity, the body floods the blood with insulin to clear the glucose from the individual's blood. This leads to low blood sugar, which leads to feeling hungry and ultimately, polyphagia. Finding ways to relieve stress can mitigate polyphagia. Relieving stress can be done with exercise, meditation, and personal care, such as massages or baths.

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Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overactive thyroid gland that releases too much of the thyroid hormone, referred to as T3 and T4, into the bloodstream. These hormones are necessary for metabolism regulation, protein synthesis, and help keep energy levels up. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased heartbeat, heat intolerance, frequent bowel movements, and weight loss. It causes the body to utilize energy faster than normal, which leads individuals to feel hungry more often than normal, resulting in polyphagia. Treatment for this condition is often difficult but can be done with radioactive iodine. This treatment may, however, cause hypothyroidism, the polar opposite, which requires medication to regulate thyroid hormone production.

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Diabetes

Polyphagia is one of the three key symptoms of type 1 diabetes, along with polyuria and polydipsia. The body does not produce insulin in type 1 diabetes, and the body does not use insulin efficiently in type 2 diabetes. Insulin is the hormone released by the pancreas to transport blood sugar to all of the body’s cells. The cells then use the blood sugar, or glucose, for energy and necessary cellular function. When the insulin is not working properly, blood sugar leaves the body as waste instead of being used as fuel. This leads to lower blood sugar levels and the desire to eat constantly. Diabetes patients can control blood sugar levels with a balanced diet, exercise, and by taking their medications.

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Lack Of Sleep

Sleep deprivation can happen a few different ways and can be from complete or partial lack of sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when an individual stops breathing in their sleep, and the body wakes up to continue breathing. It is usually marked by heavy snoring and gasping for air in one’s sleep. Insomnia is the absence of sleep altogether. Individuals can also become sleep deprived due to a poor quality of sleep. In any of these cases, high-quality sleep is not achieved, and this affects the body’s production of hunger-regulating hormones. Without the proper function of these hormones, individuals are susceptible to polyphagia. Thus, it is crucial to get sufficient sleep, as not only can polyphagia occur, but countless other health issues as well.