charles shepherd
Senior Member
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Polyphagia (excessive hunger/appetite) and ME/CFS
We are currently having a discussion on MEA Facebook on the subject of polyphagia - excessive/constant hunger
It follows on from a question from one of our members
Further input on the PR forum would be welcome from anyone with personal experience of this rather unusual problem
MEA Facebook question and CS reply:
EVEN AFTER BIG MEALS, I AM STILL HUNGRY...
xxxxx writes:
Does anyone else struggle with being constantly hungry? (Especially those in the severe category).
I know that boredom etc can make you want to eat but since relapsing and entering the severe category, some months ago, I seem to have a never ending hunger.
Even after big meals I am still hungry. I try to eat really filling foods and not have big gaps between eating but to no avail.
Sometimes I actually get stomach pains from being so hungry.
I am a vegan and I try hard to be healthy.
I have only experienced this my decline in condition.
Is it due to not being able to absorb energy?
____________
OUR MEDICAL ADVISER, DR CHARLES SHEPHERD, COMMENTS:
Firstly, for the benefit of everyone here on MEAF, I ought to point out that increased hunger (medical term = polyphagia), or constantly feeling hungry, is NOT a symptom of ME/CFS.
Secondly, there are a number of important medical conditions (diabetes in particular) that can cause increased hunger. So this is something that you do need to mention to your GP - who can, if necessary, do some blood tests - including your blood sugar level.
I have inserted some more detailed information on possible causes of polyphagia from Diabetes UK below.
Thirdly, I wonder if this might be related to your vegan diet and the overall nutritional content .
So I think it would also be helpful to discuss this with a dietitian (your GP could refer you to one on the NHS) who has some knowledge of vegan diets .
I will also pass this query to Sue Luscombe, our professional adviser at the MEA on diet and nutrition, for her opinion and will post this later when I have her reply.
More detailed information on polyphagia from Diabetes UK
Polyphagia = Increased Appetite
Polyphagia is also known as hyperphagia
Polyphagia is the medical term used to describe excessive hunger or increased appetite and is one of the 3 main signs of diabetes.
An increase in hunger is usually a response to normal things such as intensive exercise or other strenuous activity, but polyphagia can also be the result of more severe issues such as depression or stress.
Also known as hyperphagia, it is one of the three main symptoms of diabetes, along with:
Polydipsia (increased thirst) and
Polyuria (frequent, excessive urination)
Causes of polyphagia
Polyphagia can also be caused by:
Diabetes mellitus
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Bulimia
Binge eating disorder
Hyperthyroidism (raised level of thyroid hormone)
Premenstrual syndrome
Certain prescription drugs such as corticosteroids
Some psychiatric conditions
Rare medical conditions such as Kleine-Levin Syndrome and Prader-Willi Syndrome
Hunger and hyperglycemia
In uncontrolled diabetes where blood glucose levels remain abnormally high (hyperglycemia), glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells - due to either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance - so the body can’t convert the food you eat into energy.
This lack of energy causes an increase in hunger.
Simply eating will not get rid of the hungry feeling of polyphagia in people with uncontrolled diabetes, as this will just add to the already high blood glucose levels. The best way to lower blood glucose levels is to exercise as this can help to stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels.
However, if the hunger persists, you may need to consult your doctor or diabetes health care team.
Hunger and hypoglycemia
Increased appetite can also be caused by abnormally low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
If blood glucose readings fall below 4 mmol/l, the body usually responds by releasing stored glucose from the liver to raise glucose levels back to normal.
However, people with diabetes that take medication such as insulin and sulfonylureas are at risk of developing a severe form of hypoglycemia and should therefore treat low blood glucose levels by eating something sweet as soon as hypoglycemia is recognised.
Recognising the symptoms of polyphagia
The main sign of polyphagia is excessive hunger that doesn’t go away by simply eating more food or eating more regularly than normal.
If you are worried by your sudden increase in appetite, you should consult your doctor.
They will examine you to check whether your hunger is a symptom of diabetes or another medical condition.
MEA Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1348856038505384&id=171411469583186
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, MEA
We are currently having a discussion on MEA Facebook on the subject of polyphagia - excessive/constant hunger
It follows on from a question from one of our members
Further input on the PR forum would be welcome from anyone with personal experience of this rather unusual problem
MEA Facebook question and CS reply:
EVEN AFTER BIG MEALS, I AM STILL HUNGRY...
xxxxx writes:
Does anyone else struggle with being constantly hungry? (Especially those in the severe category).
I know that boredom etc can make you want to eat but since relapsing and entering the severe category, some months ago, I seem to have a never ending hunger.
Even after big meals I am still hungry. I try to eat really filling foods and not have big gaps between eating but to no avail.
Sometimes I actually get stomach pains from being so hungry.
I am a vegan and I try hard to be healthy.
I have only experienced this my decline in condition.
Is it due to not being able to absorb energy?
____________
OUR MEDICAL ADVISER, DR CHARLES SHEPHERD, COMMENTS:
Firstly, for the benefit of everyone here on MEAF, I ought to point out that increased hunger (medical term = polyphagia), or constantly feeling hungry, is NOT a symptom of ME/CFS.
Secondly, there are a number of important medical conditions (diabetes in particular) that can cause increased hunger. So this is something that you do need to mention to your GP - who can, if necessary, do some blood tests - including your blood sugar level.
I have inserted some more detailed information on possible causes of polyphagia from Diabetes UK below.
Thirdly, I wonder if this might be related to your vegan diet and the overall nutritional content .
So I think it would also be helpful to discuss this with a dietitian (your GP could refer you to one on the NHS) who has some knowledge of vegan diets .
I will also pass this query to Sue Luscombe, our professional adviser at the MEA on diet and nutrition, for her opinion and will post this later when I have her reply.
More detailed information on polyphagia from Diabetes UK
Polyphagia = Increased Appetite
Polyphagia is also known as hyperphagia
Polyphagia is the medical term used to describe excessive hunger or increased appetite and is one of the 3 main signs of diabetes.
An increase in hunger is usually a response to normal things such as intensive exercise or other strenuous activity, but polyphagia can also be the result of more severe issues such as depression or stress.
Also known as hyperphagia, it is one of the three main symptoms of diabetes, along with:
Polydipsia (increased thirst) and
Polyuria (frequent, excessive urination)
Causes of polyphagia
Polyphagia can also be caused by:
Diabetes mellitus
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Bulimia
Binge eating disorder
Hyperthyroidism (raised level of thyroid hormone)
Premenstrual syndrome
Certain prescription drugs such as corticosteroids
Some psychiatric conditions
Rare medical conditions such as Kleine-Levin Syndrome and Prader-Willi Syndrome
Hunger and hyperglycemia
In uncontrolled diabetes where blood glucose levels remain abnormally high (hyperglycemia), glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells - due to either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance - so the body can’t convert the food you eat into energy.
This lack of energy causes an increase in hunger.
Simply eating will not get rid of the hungry feeling of polyphagia in people with uncontrolled diabetes, as this will just add to the already high blood glucose levels. The best way to lower blood glucose levels is to exercise as this can help to stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels.
However, if the hunger persists, you may need to consult your doctor or diabetes health care team.
Hunger and hypoglycemia
Increased appetite can also be caused by abnormally low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
If blood glucose readings fall below 4 mmol/l, the body usually responds by releasing stored glucose from the liver to raise glucose levels back to normal.
However, people with diabetes that take medication such as insulin and sulfonylureas are at risk of developing a severe form of hypoglycemia and should therefore treat low blood glucose levels by eating something sweet as soon as hypoglycemia is recognised.
Recognising the symptoms of polyphagia
The main sign of polyphagia is excessive hunger that doesn’t go away by simply eating more food or eating more regularly than normal.
If you are worried by your sudden increase in appetite, you should consult your doctor.
They will examine you to check whether your hunger is a symptom of diabetes or another medical condition.
MEA Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1348856038505384&id=171411469583186
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, MEA