Hyperphagia is a condition where a person’s desire to eat suddenly increases, caused by physical or emotional issues. Physical causes include hyperthyroidism and hypoglycemia, while mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders and bulimia can also contribute. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and may include therapy.
Hyperphagia is a condition in which a person’s desire to eat suddenly increases. It could be a physical compulsion or the increased appetite could be the result of an emotional issue. The condition may last for long periods of time without interruption or may disappear for intervals before reappearing.
One of the main physical causes of hyperphagia can be hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid produces abnormally high levels of hormones. These hormones are primarily responsible for metabolism, a chemical process that converts food calories into usable energy. A person whose thyroid produces a high amount of hormones may feel much hungrier than normal because her body believes it needs more food for energy.
Another possible physical cause of hyperphagia is hypoglycemia, a medical condition that causes blood sugar to be unusually low. The body gets most of its energy from blood sugar, so having lower than normal blood sugar can cause the body to crave more food to gain more energy. Hypoglycemia can be caused by kidney disease, alcoholism, pancreatic cancer, diabetes or hunger.
Hyperphagia can also be the side effect of some medications. Cyproheptadine, a drug used to relieve allergy symptoms, can cause an increase in appetite. Medications used to control the inflammation associated with asthma and arthritis, known as corticosteroids, can also cause feelings of hunger as a side effect. Antidepressant medications can also cause increased appetite in some users.
Some mental health conditions can cause hyperphagia. Anxiety disorders, such as OCD, generalized anxiety disorders, and phobias, can cause sufferers to feel hungry and turn to food as a way to feel less jittery or stressed. Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a person systematically consumes large amounts of food, then eliminates it through vomiting or bowel movements. People with bulimia may start craving food more often and become mentally fixated on eating constantly.
People experiencing hyperphagia can be treated if their doctors discover the underlying condition causing the condition. If hunger is a side effect of medications, a person can work with a doctor to come up with a low-calorie eating plan to prevent weight gain, particularly if stopping the medication isn’t a safe option. For emotional or mental health problems that contribute to increased appetite, therapy may be helpful in teaching patients how to cope with their problems without using food and how to distinguish between physical hunger and mental compulsions to eat.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
