Polyphagia (Hyperphagia)

xcessive hunger.

Sometimes, we can feel extreme hunger that leads us to overeat, but in the case of polyphagia (hyperphagia), this feeling of insatiable hunger persists.

Polyphagia (hyperphagia)

Polyphagia (hyperphagia) is the feeling of extreme hunger and ravenousness that can’t be controlled.

Polyphagia (hyperphagia) is usually a symptom of certain health issues.

Causes of polyphagia (hyperphagia)

Polyphagia (hyperphagia) is generally uncommon. However, it can be associated with the following issues:

• Undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, which is the most common cause of extreme hunger. Normally, when the blood sugar elevates, the body produces insulin to take this sugar to the cells to use it as energy. In the case of uncontrolled diabetes, the sugar doesn’t go to the cells as it should, and therefore, they don’t get the energy they need, and that triggers the hunger sensation.
• Hormone-related issues, such as hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease (these conditions increase the metabolism in the body and cause it to consume calories faster than normal), premenstrual syndrome (it causes an increase in the estrogen and progesterone and a decrease in the serotonin), and tumors that might affect the secretion of the insulin.
• Certain mental health conditions can also cause polyphagia (hyperphagia), such as atypical depression, anxiety disorders, and stress.

Rare conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Klein-Levin syndrome.

Treatment of polyphagia (hyperphagia)

• Treating polyphagia (hyperphagia) depends on the underlying cause.