Polyphagia: definition, symptoms, causes and treatment

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Definition

What is polyphagia?

Polyphagia is a medical term that describes excessive hunger or increased appetite more than usual.

Hunger is actually a natural thing, everyone must have felt it. However, this condition, also known as hyperphagia, is far more extreme than ordinary hunger.

To overcome this excessive hunger, you need to know the underlying cause.

How common is polyphagia?

Polyphagia is a condition that affects anyone, but it is more common in adults to have certain health problems. Compared to men, girls who have puberty are more likely to feel this condition more often.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of polyphagia?

The main sign and symptom of polyphagia is increased appetite, which makes you eat more often than usual. Hyperphagia also means that you get hungry very quickly.

Other symptoms may accompany but depend on the underlying cause.

Other symptoms can include feeling tired, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, weight gain or loss, and frequent urination.

When should I see a doctor?

Hunger is part of the human instinct. However, hunger that appears more intense than usual is a warning sign of polyphagia.

If you feel excessive hunger followed by disturbing symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor; especially if you continue to urinate, sweat, and have had seizures.

Cause

What causes polyphagia?

There are many causes of hyperphagia, which can be caused by a poor lifestyle or certain medical problems. The causes of polyphagia that you need to know are:

Poor diet

The most common cause of polyphagia is a poor diet, which is eating too many foods high in carbohydrates and fats, for example fast food. This lack of fiber and protein makes you hungry again.

Apart from having a big appetite, you will also experience fatigue, hair loss, bleeding gums, or weight gain.

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus causes high blood sugar this can be the cause of increasing appetite. The reason is, polyphagia is one of the common symptoms of diabetes, which indicates that hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) has occurred.

Sugar (glucose) in the blood is a source of energy for the body. In diabetic patients, the body cannot properly use sugar in the blood. As a result, the body feels that it lacks a source of energy that is actually available. The body then signals to the brain that the diabetic patient feels hungry.

According to the American Diabetes Association, polyphagia is a sign and symptom of diabetes when accompanied by other symptoms, such as polydipsia (thirst) or polyuria (frequent urination). These symptoms will appear when blood sugar is above 180 to 200 mg / dL.

Diabetic patients who develop polyphagia due to hyperglycemia are those who skip diabetes medications or meal times.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the cause of polyphagia which occurs due to low blood sugar levels. This condition is common in diabetics. However, it can also occur in people without diabetes, such as overdosing on the malaria drug (quinine), drinking excessive alcohol, or having hepatitis.

Apart from excessive appetite, other symptoms that signal polyphagia are headaches, shaking, sweating, and difficulty focusing. This condition is said to be critical if it has caused seizures and blurred vision.

Hyperthyroidism

Another cause of polyphagia is hyperthyroidism. This condition indicates that the thyroid is overworked. As a result, excessive thyroid hormone levels interfere with metabolism, one of which increases appetite more than usual.

Apart from excessive hunger, other symptoms of accompanying hyperthyroidism are body sweating, anxiety, hair loss, insomnia, and weight loss for no apparent reason.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Excessive appetite is said to often attack women because it is caused by STDs. That means, polyphagia is a part of PMS symptoms that can occur every month in women who are at risk of experiencing PMS during menstruation.

This condition occurs due to increased estrogen and progesterone hormones but decreased serotonin. As a result, the body causes symptoms of wanting to eat foods that are high in sugar and fat, Apart from polyphagia, other symptoms that commonly accompany PMS are stomach flushing, irritability, fatigue, and diarrhea.

Stress and depression

Severe stress and depression can also be a cause of polyphagia. This happens because these two conditions can trigger high levels of the stress hormone, namely cortisol.

Polyphagia that arises due to stress or depression is part of an emotional response, which is distracting oneself from negative emotions either consciously or not. In addition to a high appetite, people who are stressed or depressed will also experience muscle pain, stomach pain, insomnia, and weakness.

Sleep disturbance

Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, can make it difficult for the body to control hormones that regulate hunger. So, sleep deprivation is a common cause of polyphagia in people who have sleep disorders.

Other causes

Long-term use of corticosteroids, binge eating disorders, anxiety disorders, bulimia are all causes of polyphagia. In addition, some rare diseases like Kleine-Levin syndrome and Prader-Will syndrome can also trigger a large appetite.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for polyphagia?

Regarding the cause, the risk factors that can increase the occurrence of polyphagia are:

• Adopting a bad diet
• Have diabetes but do not carry out medication and treatment as recommended by a doctor
• Poor sleep quality mainly due to sleep disturbances
• Have health problems related to the thyroid gland and hormones that regulate appetite, or use corticosteroid drugs without a doctor's supervision

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests for polyphagia?

In most cases, polyphagia is a condition that requires medical attention. To find out the cause, the doctor will first make a diagnosis.

Doctors generally will first look at your detailed medical history, then observe various things, such as

• Eating habit
• Other accompanying symptoms
• The length of time this condition occurs
• Family medical history

In addition, other medical tests may be needed to determine the exact cause, such as blood sugar tests or thyroid function tests.

What are the drug options for polyphagia?

Unlike ordinary hunger that will disappear by rushing to eat, hyperphagia treatment must be tailored to the underlying medication.

For diabetic patients who have polyphagia, treatment is taking diabetes medication and injecting insulin if needed. Meanwhile, patients with thyroid disorders will be prescribed drugs that control the work of the thyroid gland.

For patients with stress, depression, or anxiety disorders who experience polyphagia, treatment is taking antidepressants, attending counseling and behavioral therapy if needed.

Hyperphagia in women with PMS, does not require special drugs. The doctor may direct the patient to self-control from the desire to eat unhealthy foods.

Not only that, doctors will ask patients to change their lifestyle to be healthier because this greatly affects blood sugar levels, stress levels, and overall body health.

Home Remedies

What are some home remedies and lifestyle changes that can be done to treat polyphagia?

Apart from taking medication, people who experience this big appetite also need to take care at home. Home treatments for polyphagia are:

Maintain a healthy diet

A healthy diet includes nutritious food choices with the right portions and timing. This is very important to meet the nutritional needs of the body while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Fulfilling nutritional needs can maintain overall body health. However, the diet should be adjusted for patients with diabetes, depression, and people with hyperthyroidism. Consult your doctor further.

Regular exercise

Home treatment for polyphagia in addition to a healthy diet is exercise. Not only does this control blood sugar levels remain normal, this physical activity can also help reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

Know how to reduce stress

Stress is one of the triggers for polyphagia because it is related to eating behavior. Apart from exercise, stress can be treated in various ways.

You can make time for activities you enjoy (hobbies), breathing exercises, such as meditating, reading or watching movies that make you happy.

Get enough sleep

Poor sleep quality can be overcome by resetting sleep habits. Try to sleep more and wake up earlier at the same time.

Do something relaxing before bedtime, such as taking a warm bath. Then, avoid habits that interfere with sleep, namely playing on your cellphone, watching TV, or eating large meals.

Prevention

How can you prevent polyphagia?

A powerful way to prevent polyphagia is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Apply healthy eating habits that are appropriate for the portion and timing. Then, do regular exercise and get enough rest.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.