Are you hungry no matter how much you eat? Let's talk about Polyphagia!

It's normal for us to feel a little hungry sometimes. Think of a day when you've exercised hard, or when you're tired after a long day at work... At that time, you're probably a little hungry. But, do you also feel so hungry that you can't stop eating, and no matter how much you eat, you feel like eating more and more? This is not just hunger. In medicine, we call this Polyphagia or Hyperphagia.

Simply put, this is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease. There may be a hidden reason behind this excessive hunger. The special thing is that at such times, eating normally does not make you hungry. However, the hunger that occurs when blood sugar levels are low (Hypoglycemia) usually decreases when you eat something sweet. With this condition of Polyphagia, sometimes body weight can increase, and sometimes body weight can decrease inexplicably. It depends on the underlying medical condition that causes this.

Why is there such extreme hunger?

The main and most common cause of this condition called polyphagia is undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) . Let's talk about it in depth. In addition, there are several other causes.

The link between diabetes and excessive hunger

Diabetes is a condition in which our body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, or cannot use the insulin it produces properly. Think of insulin as a key that opens the door to the cells in our body. In order for the sugar called glucose, which we get from the food we eat, to enter the cells as energy, we need to use this key called insulin to open the door.

When insulin is absent or ineffective, glucose cannot enter the cells. Then it accumulates in the blood and blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) increase. Since the cells do not have energy, the brain receives a signal saying, "I do not have enough energy, I need more food." That is why a person with diabetes feels extremely hungry.

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease. What happens here is that our own body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. So, no insulin is produced at all. Since the cells have no energy, the body suddenly starts to burn fat and muscle to get energy. This causes extreme hunger and rapid weight loss.
• Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common type. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not respond properly to the insulin it does produce (insulin resistance). Polyphagia may not be as severe as in type 1 diabetes.
• Gestational Diabetes: During pregnancy, hormones released by the placenta increase insulin resistance in the body. This can cause some mothers to temporarily develop diabetes.

If you have all three of these symptoms, especially along with weight loss, see a doctor as soon as possible. This could be an emergency.

Other hormone-related conditions

In addition to diabetes, other hormone-related diseases can cause polyphagia.

• Hyperthyroidism: In this condition, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. These hormones control our body's metabolism, which is the rate at which we burn energy. When the hormones increase, the body's engine runs faster, and the rate at which calories are burned increases dramatically. This can lead to frequent hunger and weight loss.
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): This condition can occur in women a week or two before their period starts. Changes in the body's estrogen and progesterone hormone levels and a decrease in the neurotransmitter serotonin can cause excessive hunger during this time.
• Insulinoma: This is a very rare type of tumor. It develops in the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This tumor causes excessive insulin secretion, which leads to very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). One of the main symptoms of this is excessive hunger.

Mental health conditions

Polyphagia can also be caused by certain mental conditions.

• Atypical Depression: This is a type of depression that is characterized by an excessive appetite and weight gain, rather than a loss of appetite as in typical depression.
• Stress: When we are stressed, our bodies produce more of a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can increase blood sugar levels and cause hunger.
• Anxiety: Anxiety can also cause cortisol levels to rise, leading to increased hunger. Sometimes this is an emotional response. When you can't deal with feelings like sadness or anxiety, eating can become a coping mechanism.

What can be done to treat this?

Polyphagia is treated by identifying and treating the underlying condition that is causing it. Once the cause is treated, this excessive hunger usually goes away.

For example:

• Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin injections .
• Hyperthyroidism may require medication, radioactive iodine treatment, or surgery .
• If this condition is caused by a certain medication, your doctor will decide to change the medication or adjust the dosage.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

Polyphagia is usually a symptom of a medical condition that requires medical attention, so if you have persistent, uncontrollable hunger, it's best to see a doctor for advice.

A persistent hunger that doesn't go away even after eating is not something to take lightly. If you notice a sudden change in your or your child's appetite, don't panic and see a doctor. He or she will be able to run the necessary tests and find the exact cause.

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