Polyphagia

Polyphagia or hyperphagia is an abnormally strong, incessant sensation of hunger or desire to eat often leading to overeating.[1] In contrast to an increase in appetite following exercise, polyphagia does not subside after eating and often leads to rapid intake of excessive quantities of food. Polyphagia is not a disorder by itself; rather, it is a symptom indicating an underlying medical condition. It is frequently a result of abnormal blood glucose levels (both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia), and, along with polydipsia and polyuria, it is one of the "3 Ps" commonly associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.[2]

For the ecological concept, see Hyperphagia (ecology).
Polyphagia
Other namesHyperphagia
SpecialtyEndocrinology, Psychiatry

Etymology and pronunciation

The word polyphagia (/ˌpɒliˈfeɪdʒiə/) uses combining forms of poly- + -phagia, from the Greek words πολύς (polys), "very much" or "many", and φᾰ́γω (phago), "eating" or "devouring".

Underlying conditions and possible causes

Polyphagia is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes mellitus. It is associated with hyperthyroidism and endocrine diseases, e.g., Graves' disease, and it has also been noted in Prader-Willi syndrome and other genetic conditions caused by chromosomal anomalies. It is only one of several diagnostic criteria for bulimia and is not by itself classified as an eating disorder. As a symptom of Kleine–Levin syndrome, it is sometimes termed megaphagia.[3]

Knocking out vagal nerve receptors has been shown to cause hyperphagia.[4]

Changes in hormones associated with the female menstrual cycle can lead to extreme hunger right before the period. Spikes in estrogen and progesterone and decreased serotonin can lead to cravings for carbohydrates and fats.[5]

Polyphagia is found in the following conditions:[6]

Polyphagia in diabetes

Diabetes mellitus causes a disruption in the body's ability to transfer glucose from food into energy. Intake of food causes glucose levels to rise without a corresponding increase in energy, which leads to a persistent sensation of hunger. Polyphagia usually occurs early in the course of diabetic ketoacidosis.[7] However, once insulin deficiency becomes more severe and ketoacidosis develops, appetite is suppressed.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Polyphagia". Human Phenotype Ontology. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. Diabetes.co.uk
  3. Critchley M (December 1962). "Periodic hypersomnia and megaphagia in adolescent males". Brain. 85 (4): 627–56. doi:10.1093/brain/85.4.627. PMID 14023898.
  4. de Lartigue G, Ronveaux CC, Raybould HE (2014). "Deletion of leptin signaling in vagal afferent neurons results in hyperphagia and obesity". Molecular Metabolism. 3 (6): 595–607. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2014.06.003. PMC 4142400. PMID 25161883.
  5. "Polyphagia". Cleveland Clinic. 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. "Polyphagia (Concept Id: C0020505) - MedGen - NCBI".
  7. Elliott RE, Jane JA, Wisoff JH (2011). "Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in children: meta-analysis and comparison of transcranial and transsphenoidal approaches". Neurosurgery. 69 (3): 630–43, discussion 643. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e31821a872d. PMID 21499159. S2CID 12501723.
  8. Masuzaki H, Tanaka T, Ebihara K, Hosoda K, Nakao K (2009). "Hypothalamic melanocortin signaling and leptin resistance--perspective of therapeutic application for obesity-diabetes syndrome". Peptides. 30 (7): 1383–6. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2009.04.008. PMID 19394382. S2CID 30309208.
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