Polyphagia, or hyperphagia, is an abnormally strong, sensation of hunger or desire to eat often leading to overeating.[ Diabetes.co.uk]
Etymology
The word
polyphagia () uses combining forms of
+ , 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.
Knocking out vagus nerve receptors has been shown to cause hyperphagia.
Changes in Hormone 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 Carbohydrate and Fat.
Polyphagia is found in the following conditions:
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Chromosome 22q13 duplication syndrome
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Chromosome 2p25.3 deletion (MYT1L Syndrome)
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Chromosome Xq26.3 duplication syndrome
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Congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 1
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Congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 2
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Diabetes mellitus type 1
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Familial Renal glycosuria
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Frontotemporal dementia
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Frontotemporal dementia, ubiquitin-positive
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Graves' disease
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Hypotonia-cystinuria syndrome
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Kleine–Levin syndrome
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Leptin deficiency or dysfunction
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Leptin receptor deficiency
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Luscan-Lumish syndrome
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Macrosomia adiposa congenita
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Mental retardation, autosomal dominant 1
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Obesity, hyperphagia, and developmental delay (OBHD)
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Pick's disease
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Prader–Willi syndrome
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Proopiomelanocortin deficiency
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Schaaf-Yang syndrome
Polyphagia in diabetes
Diabetes mellitus causes a disruption in the body's ability to transfer glucose from food into energy. Polyphagia in type 2 diabetes is usually not as apparent as the polyphagia in type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, it probably results from cellular starvation and the depletion of cellular stores of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
See also
External links
