The human body regularly needs food, which serves as a source of energy for it. Therefore, it is quite normal to feel hungry a few hours after eating. But if the stomach reminds you of itself with hungry rumbling very often, and hunger does not go away even after eating food, it means that something wrong is happening to the body. In this article we will try to figure out what a constant feeling of hunger indicates and whether it is dangerous.
What is polyphagia
Excessive hunger is not a made-up or exaggerated problem. This actually exists, and this condition even has its own medical name - polyphagia. With polyphagia, hunger is different from that which appears after physical activity. But if healthy hunger goes away after eating food, then in the case of polyphagia it can remain even after a heavy meal. In many cases, even increasing food portions does not help quell hunger, so with polyphagia it is important to eliminate the root cause of excessive appetite, which can be caused by various disorders and conditions. An abnormally strong feeling of hunger is a symptom that should not be underestimated. If someone shows signs of polyphagia, they should see a doctor.
What Causes Excessive Hunger?
Content:
- What is polyphagia
- What Causes Excessive Hunger?
- Perhaps the reason is poor nutrition?
- Diagnosis and treatment of polyphagia
- How to distinguish polyphagia from ordinary overeating
Although excessive hunger is not necessarily a sign of illness, this symptom always signals that something has changed in the functioning of the body. The most harmless reason for a strong appetite is a change in a person’s physical activity. If, for example, a person begins to play sports intensively or devotes many hours to physical labor every day, it is clear that his body’s calorie needs will also increase.
Therefore, the body will begin to require food more and more often than before increasing physical activity. But there are other reasons why appetite can increase to abnormal levels.
Diabetes
Polyphagia may be a sign of diabetes. When carbohydrates contained in food enter the human body, they are broken down into glucose, which already plays the role of fuel. But in people suffering from diabetes, glucose is excreted from the body in urine, never reaching the cells that need it. As a result, the body, having not received the necessary energy, continues to send signals about the need to consume the next portion of food. By the way, people with diabetes may initially eat more food than usual and still lose weight. That is, one of the possible reasons for a sudden increase in appetite and frequent bouts of hunger is diabetes.
But you should also know that in the case of diabetes, in addition to excessive hunger, other symptoms appear:
- strong thirst;
- the urge to urinate becomes more frequent (especially at night);
- sudden weight loss;
- blurred vision;
- cuts and bruises take longer to heal;
- tingling and pain in the limbs;
- fast fatiguability.
Low blood sugar
The condition when blood sugar levels drop below normal is called hypoglycemia by experts. When this happens, the body also sends persistent signals to consume something high in calories as quickly as possible. This often happens in people with diabetes. But hypoglycemia can also occur with other disorders, including hepatitis, kidney disease, and disorders in the functioning of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.
With hypoglycemia, in addition to hunger, severe weakness, intense sweating, tremors, pale skin, and anxiety appear.
Thyroid dysfunction
An unnaturally strong appetite may appear due to a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Particularly if it produces too many hormones. This condition is medically known as hyperthyroidism.
A person can be suspected of having hyperthyroidism if, in addition to a constant feeling of hunger, he has severe sweating, muscle weakness, constant thirst, he has become irritable, and his pulse has increased.
Brain disorders
We must remember that the brain is responsible for all processes occurring in the human body. It receives and sends impulses that regulate the functioning of various systems and organs. If disturbances occur in a certain part of the brain, this always affects the processes for which it is responsible. So, if damage occurs in the hypothalamus, a person usually develops signs of polyphagia. But it should be noted that the craving for gluttony is far from the only sign of damage to this area of the brain. As a rule, many other more serious disorders appear, including hormonal and mental ones.
Stress
If a person has been constantly hungry lately, this may indicate that he is living in a state of chronic stress. When we are anxious or emotionally stressed, our bodies produce more of the stress hormone cortisol. One of the effects of this substance on the human body is a strong feeling of hunger. Cortisol is the reason why many people have a “brutal” appetite during stress. Many people have probably noticed that after stress, the body usually “asks” for something very high in calories: sweet or fatty. It turns out that this is not just the case. In this way, the body tries to “turn off” the part of the brain that is responsible for anxiety.
If chronic stress is the cause of constant hunger, a person may also experience mood swings, headaches, trouble sleeping, stomach upset, and fatigue.
Lack of sleep
It has been proven that lack of sleep can affect hunger. People who are chronically sleep deprived want to eat more often than others. The reason is that with a lack of sleep in the body, the amount of the hormone leptin, which is responsible for the feeling of fullness, decreases, and vice versa, the level of the hormone ghrelin, which causes hunger, increases.
According to scientists, if a person is deprived of full sleep for only 1 night, during the day he will consume approximately 15% more calories than people whose sleep lasts at least 8 hours. It is also known that due to overwork, people are more drawn to fatty and high-calorie foods.
You can assume that a constant feeling of hunger is caused by a lack of rest if, along with increased appetite, symptoms such as weight gain, mood swings, absent-mindedness, clumsiness, and decreased activity during the day appear.
Bulimia
Binge eating may be a symptom of bulimia. This often happens to women after their first birth. If the cause is bulimia, then attacks of hunger are periodic and short-term, but the appetite at this time is always very strong, it is difficult to pacify it with a snack. After the attack, the feeling of hunger goes away. People suffering from bulimia gain excess weight quite quickly. In addition, they are usually diagnosed with problems in the digestive, genitourinary and cardiovascular systems.
Pregnancy
In women of childbearing age, increased appetite may be one of the signs of pregnancy. Hunger signals during pregnancy are the body’s way of making sure that the fetus can receive enough nutrients for its development.
PMS
Excessive increase in appetite in women can also be caused by hormonal changes. Therefore, many women during PMS may constantly feel hungry. An increase in estrogen and progesterone, as well as a decrease in serotonin levels, usually cause cravings for carbohydrate and fatty foods.
In addition to hunger, PMS is accompanied by irritability, mood swings, increased fatigue, and changes in the functioning of the digestive system.
Taking medications
Some medications have the side effect of increased appetite. As a rule, excessive hunger is caused by antihistamines, antidepressants, steroids, and antipsychotics. Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines also lead to bouts of gluttony.
Growth spurt
If a child suddenly has a very strong appetite and chews something almost all day long, in most cases this is normal. The reason is that during a period of intensive growth, the human body spends a very large amount of nutrients on the formation of new cells. And it is quite objective that in order to maintain the growth process, it needs to restore used reserves. If the cause of excessive appetite is a growth spurt in the child, then the craving for frequent snacks may continue into adolescence. Then the body will switch to its usual mode of operation.
Increased feeling of hunger
Diabetes
Thyrotoxicosis
29665 August 25
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. The feeling of hunger is an expression of the body's need for nutrients. The formation of feelings of hunger occurs due to the mechanisms of hormonal and neuro-reflex regulation. The food center is a complex complex, the central link of which is the nuclei of the hypothalamus, located in the diencephalon. When these nuclei are irritated, a feeling of hunger occurs, and when they are destroyed, a refusal to eat occurs.
Types of increased hunger
An increased feeling of hunger may occur for natural reasons, or may not correspond to objective indicators of satiety.
Hunger, like any feeling, is subjective.
True hunger
is caused by a lack of nutrients (glucose, amino acids, fats) and occurs with prolonged emotional stress and intense exercise.
However, modern man suffers much more often from false, psychological hunger
.
Psychological hunger has as many varieties as human habits. For example, having gotten used to eating at a certain time, a person consumes food regardless of the presence or absence of true hunger. The same applies to the habit of eating while watching TV or reading. The need for rest after hard work sometimes makes a person think about food. Boredom or, conversely, the desire to have a holiday - all this is realized through the feeling of hunger. However, there is also constant pathological hunger
caused by an imbalance of hormones or a violation of neuro-reflex regulation due to certain diseases.
Possible causes of increased hunger
The reasons for the constant feeling of hunger may be due to the lack of substances in the blood that have an inhibitory effect on the food center, for example, glucose. For diabetes
due to a lack of insulin or tissue resistance to this hormone, glucose cannot enter the cells. Lack of glucose in cells causes excitement in the food center and a feeling of hunger. However, eating a new portion of food when insulin levels are low does not lead to satiety.
At the same time, obesity develops, which increases insulin resistance and aggravates the disease.
With
thyrotoxicosis,
increased metabolic processes lead to muscle atrophy, causing weakness and increased sweating.
Trying to satisfy their increased appetite, patients with thyrotoxicosis eat a lot, but do not gain weight, but rather lose weight.
Due to the activation of peristalsis, defecation becomes more frequent. Hormonal shifts lead to the development of neurasthenia and irritability. A characteristic symptom of thyrotoxicosis is tremor of the limbs, which manifests itself at rest and during movement.
Another example of an increase in hunger due to hormonal changes is increased appetite during pregnancy.
. Pregnancy causes an increase in the concentration of estrogen in the blood, which, reaching the pituitary gland, triggers the production of prolactin.
This hormone promotes appetite growth and leads to the replacement of adipose tissue of the mammary glands with glandular tissue.
After childbirth, prolactin interferes with the secretion of progesterone, which prevents another pregnancy.
Increased secretion of prolactin occurs with the growth of prolactinoma
, a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, as well as in response to taking
antipsychotics, antiemetics, and hormonal contraceptives
.
Another hormone that causes hunger is ghrelin
, which is produced by ghrelin-producing cells in the stomach. Entering the blood, it affects the food center of the brain, inducing hunger. This hormone also has a stimulating effect on gastric motility and peristalsis. As body weight decreases, ghrelin secretion increases. Stretching of the stomach walls after eating leads to a decrease in ghrelin secretion. This hormone has an antagonist, leptin, which affects fat metabolism and suppresses appetite. With low leptin levels, morbid obesity develops in the presence of a number of genetic diseases.
Obese patients are characterized by high concentrations of leptin in the blood. But the cells become resistant to this hormone, and the feeling of hunger does not go away.
At night, leptin secretion increases, which allows a person to sleep without feeling hungry.
The feeling of hunger can be triggered by increased acidity of gastric juice. An acidic environment is necessary to denature large protein molecules, ensure the functioning of gastric juice enzymes, and neutralize pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body with food. However, when acid affects the esophagus, the fornix of the stomach and the anterior wall of the duodenum, where there should be a neutral environment, heartburn and hunger occur. Eating suppresses this condition, but after a while the unpleasant sensations resume. With prolonged exposure to hydrochloric acid on the gastric mucosa, erosions are first formed, which, if left untreated, develop into an ulcer.
With increased acidity of the stomach, the patient experiences, in addition to heartburn, aching pain in the epigastric region and sour belching.
In addition to hormonal and secretory reasons, increased feelings of hunger are caused by neuropsychiatric diseases.
For example, patients with Parkinson's disease
lack control over food intake. They often eat at night, consuming significantly more than their needs.
Bulimia, an eating disorder, is widespread among adolescents and young girls. It is caused by a pathological fear of obesity and is accompanied by constant thoughts about food.
Patients with bulimia cannot stop themselves from overeating and consume excessive amounts of food.
After an episode of overeating, they either induce vomiting or take laxatives and diuretics.
Causes of increased hunger include the effects of low-energy diets
. Lack of food is accompanied by a decrease in blood glucose levels, which causes a feeling of hunger.
With a rational and long-term refusal of high-carbohydrate foods, the body changes metabolic processes, switching to energy sources such as fats and hard-to-digest carbohydrates. With intermittent dieting, the body experiences metabolic stress. Nutrients accumulate for future use, and in the absence of a diet, the body requires more calories than necessary, which is accompanied by a constant feeling of hunger.
Which doctors should I contact?
If hunger occurs soon after eating, you need to find out its cause. You should first visit to make a diagnosis. In case of hormonal imbalances or pregnancy, the therapist will refer the patient to a gynecologist-endocrinologist. If you suspect gastrointestinal disorders, you should contact. If psychological or neurological problems are identified, consultation with a neuropsychiatrist or. Hunger, as a diet companion, is almost inevitable. However, it is advisable to regulate body weight based on the recommendations of a nutritionist.
Diagnostics and examinations
An increased and constant feeling of hunger can serve as a symptom of disease. Therefore, you should definitely take a general urine and blood test.
Perhaps the reason is poor nutrition?
The most obvious explanation for why a person is constantly hungry is that he is not eating properly. All foods have different energy values. The best options for fighting hunger are foods rich in protein and fiber. But white bread, cookies, and fast food, beloved by many, are usually deprived of the most beneficial nutrients and are not able to maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time. By the way, constant hunger often haunts lovers of low-calorie carbonated drinks, to which a sweetener is added instead of regular sugar.
Squirrels
Eating enough protein is very important to maintain a normal appetite. Protein has properties that reduce hunger, which helps you eat fewer calories throughout the day. Protein foods activate the release of hormones that signal satiety. People whose daily diets lack protein foods are more likely than others to experience bouts of severe hunger. As part of the study, scientists suggested that overweight people consume more protein: protein foods accounted for approximately 25% of their daily diet. After 3 months of eating this way, the experiment participants admitted that they were less likely to experience bouts of severe hunger and did not think about food as often as before, and they also less often had the desire to eat something very high in calories before bed. Good sources of proteins: eggs, meat, fish, dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds.
Carbohydrates
People who eat too many refined carbohydrates, as well as foods that contain too little fiber, vitamins and minerals, also often feel hungry during the day. The most popular source of refined carbohydrates is wheat flour, which is used to make white bread and pasta. Sugary sodas, candy and other sweets are also considered refined carbohydrates. Since there is practically no fiber in such foods, the body digests them very quickly, after which hunger also quickly returns. In addition, consuming refined carbohydrates causes sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. This leads to an increase in the level of insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting glucose into the body's cells. When the amount of insulin is excessively high, carbohydrates are removed from the blood very quickly, which can lead to hypoglycemia and therefore a hunger pangs. Therefore, it is advisable to replace refined carbohydrates with more healthy complex ones, which are found in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and beans. In addition, the listed foods also contain a lot of fiber, which helps fight hunger.
Fats
Fats play a key role in maintaining satiety. This is partly due to the peculiarities of the metabolism of fatty foods. It stays in the stomach longer and takes longer to break down. In addition, consuming fat promotes the production of hormones responsible for satiety. Therefore, people whose diet contains very little fat are more likely to experience hunger pangs.
Research shows that people on very low-fat diets have increased cravings for carbohydrate-laden foods. Additionally, experts have found that people who eat very low-fat foods are more likely to feel hungry than those on a low-carb diet.
In order to curb hunger, experts advise including foods rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides in your menu. The latter, for example, are found in coconut oil, and omega-3 is found in fatty sea fish, walnuts and flaxseeds. Sources of healthy fats include avocado, olive oil, full-fat dairy products and eggs.
Cellulose
If hunger returns again and again, even after a seemingly hearty snack, it may be that there is not enough fiber in your diet. High-fiber foods slow down the rate at which your stomach empties, helping you feel fuller longer. In addition, research shows that fiber stimulates the release of hormones that reduce appetite. Fiber is found in many foods: vegetables, some fruits, seeds, grains, beans.
Water
People often don't even realize that their voracious appetite may actually be a signal from the body about dehydration. But experts remind: in case of dehydration, appetite also increases. If you feel a constant feeling of hunger, you should not start eating right away. First you should drink 1-2 glasses of clean water. If hunger disappears within 10-15 minutes, its true cause is dehydration.
Alcohol
Alcohol abuse can also cause constant hunger. Scientists have found that ethanol can inhibit the production of leptin, a hormone that suppresses hunger. Experts have calculated that it is enough for men to drink only 40 ml of strong alcohol for their body to require 300 calories more than usual. People who drink alcohol regularly are 10% more likely to experience hunger pangs during the day than people who do not drink alcohol.
Liquid food
Liquid and solid foods have different effects on appetite. Therefore, those who like to replace solid foods with smoothies, juices and lean soups may constantly feel slightly hungry throughout the day. The main reason is that liquid passes through the stomach much faster than solid food. In addition, studies have shown that liquid foods are not as active as solid foods in influencing the release of hormones responsible for satiety. Since liquid foods are digested very quickly, the brain does not have time to receive information that food has entered the body, and as a result, the feeling of hunger does not go away.
The main reasons for constant hunger
Regular consumption of sweets
After consuming foods containing simple carbohydrates, blood glucose levels rise rapidly, which leads to frequent feelings of hunger, and, consequently, to constant snacking even after meals.
Eating food with long breaks
Feelings of hunger may occur if the gap between meals is 4-5 hours or more. After such “abstinence” a person develops a truly voracious appetite. To suppress hunger and reduce excessive appetite, you should eat regularly 5 times a day in small portions.
Lack of sleep
Scientists have proven that hunger can occur as a result of constant lack of sleep. In such people, the production of two hormones that cause feelings of hunger and satiety increases -
- leptin
- and ghrelin.
Leptin
Leptin is produced in fat cells, and high levels lead to lack of appetite.
Ghrelin
Ghrelin is a hormone responsible for increasing appetite, which is produced in the stomach usually when it is empty.
Their functioning is impaired in case of sleep deprivation. Leptin levels then decrease and ghrelin levels increase in sleepless people. This condition leads to a significant increase in appetite and an uncontrollable feeling of hunger in the stomach even after eating.
Can hunger occur due to stress?
Frequent mental or nervous stress also increases the feeling of hunger, as the mechanisms that cause a feeling of satiety with food are disrupted. Constant stress increases the concentration of cortisol (adrenal cortex). Its excess leads to abdominal obesity, fat deposition on the back of the neck and insulin resistance. In addition, constant mental and emotional overload contributes to an increase in the production of norepinephrine, and, consequently, uncontrolled appetite. In turn, carbohydrates are involved in the production of serotonin, which improves a person’s mood - that’s why we eat sweets after stress.
The problem can be hidden in any system of the body; it often stems from a large accumulation of small ones and begins to grow. Therefore it is important
- monitor the general condition,
- get tested
- and try to look for the real reason for the constant feeling of hunger.
What leads to uncontrolled eating of food even if the body is already oversaturated?
Adrenalin
With the frequent occurrence of stressful situations and the occurrence of stress, the human body begins to produce adrenaline in large quantities. This hormone can dampen the feeling of hunger and make it appear that food was eaten not so long ago.
Cortisol
But along with adrenaline, the stress hormone cortisol begins to quickly activate. He is an opponent of adrenaline and simply blocks its action. Because of this effect, a strong feeling of hunger develops. It is impossible to get rid of it even after eating if cortisol continues to be produced, and the person is very worried. The appetite will subside when the cortisol concentration drops significantly.
Diagnosis and treatment of polyphagia
The hunger caused by polyphagia is difficult to suppress by simply eating a portion of food. In order to overcome excessive appetite, you must first identify and then eliminate the cause that causes it. Only a doctor after a medical examination can determine the exact cause of polyphagia. In such cases, the doctor is interested in:
- what other symptoms occur along with the feeling of hunger;
- how long does this condition last for the patient;
- what diet does he follow;
- family medical history.
Based on this information, as well as the results of laboratory tests and other tests, the doctor can determine the cause of polyphagia. The treatment program always depends on the cause of the disorder. If polyphagia is caused by diabetes, hyperthyroidism or PMS, you can ease your appetite with the help of hormonal medications. In some cases, polyphagia can be eliminated by adjusting the diet. If uncontrollable hunger is caused by psycho-emotional disorders, you should contact a specialist who deals with mental health.
