Increased appetite

For a long time it was believed that increased appetite is a good sign, which means that a person is healthy and quite happy with life.

Doctors fought only with a reduced appetite - a symptom of disease and poor health. However, in recent decades, specialists have drawn the line between increased and normal craving for food, and concluded that some people feel hunger even when their stomach is already full, which can be safely considered an anomaly. Needless to say, the lack of control over appetite sooner or later leads to the appearance of such diseases as diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, problems with the pancreas, etc. Today we will talk about why this is happening, and whether it is possible to fight against this phenomenon.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

Causes of increased appetite

The centers of hunger and saturation are in the hypothalamus. There are many ways in which diseases of the digestive organs to these centers are sent pathological impulses, causing an increase in appetite. The saturation center is stimulated by the stretching of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. From chemoreceptors of the intestine to the center of appetite comes information about the availability and assimilation of nutrients. The centers of hunger and saturation are also affected by circulating factors (hormones, glucose, etc.), the content of which, in turn, depends on the state of the intestine. To the hypothalamus from the higher centers there are signals caused by pains or emotional reactions that occur in diseases of the digestive tract.

Normally, a person's appetite is controlled by the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that estimates the amount of food consumed. Apparently, the changes in craving for food can lead to disruptions in its activities. Often the desire to eat something sweet or floury is explained by fluctuations in the level of glucose in the blood, or by insulin production disorders. In this case, it is recommended to limit in the diet dishes with a high glycemic index.

Women can note the increased desire to eat during periods of hormonal outbreaks, namely before and during menstruation or during pregnancy.

People who adhere to strict diets or engage in sports can note an acute desire to eat, associated with attempts by the body to make up for the lack of energy.

Why increased appetite? Of great importance are the numerous temptations that attack us everywhere: beautiful food in advertising, kiosks with pastries on the way to work, the scent of ready meals from the nearest restaurant - all this stimulates the appetite and makes us eat, even if we do not want it. Seductive desserts, delicacies, freshly cooked and beautifully decorated dishes simply beg to try at least a slice.

And one more, many well-known reason - jamming problems. Strong emotions, experiences, stresses are often factors in the desire to chew. Thus, we are trying to fill some kind of emptiness inside, which we regard as hunger. Usually, in this situation, people are drawn to high-carb foods - sweet and flour. The fact is that such food favors the development of serotonin - a well-known hormone of pleasure. Thanks to serotonin, a person calms down, his mood rises. The organism remembers this, and under the next stress "leads" us straight to the refrigerator, for a portion of serotonin.

And one more hormone that affects the cravings for eating is dopamine. It is proved, for example, that in people with obesity dopamine comes in insufficient quantities, so it must be "replaced" with another meal.

Each case of increasing appetite is individual, and the reasons for this may be different. Let's consider some of them separately.

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Increased appetite as a symptom of disease

In many cases, craving for food is indeed a symptom of disease. In diseases, the body at the level of instinct begins to accumulate additional energy for its own recovery.

Of course, you can not regard the desire to once again eat, as the presence of any disease. This can be confirmed only by a diagnostic route when you visit a doctor.

However, you should know what diseases can be discussed with excessive appetite:

• the presence of neoplasm in the brain;
• diabetes;
• change in the level of hormones (imbalance);
• a disorder of the thyroid gland function;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• depressive states, psychological stress;
• overwork of physical and psychological nature;
• dehydration syndrome;
• insomnia;
• an eating disorder;
• beriberi, anemia.

Increased craving for food often accompanies people during recovery from various diseases: infectious, inflammatory, even cold. This is considered normal, because the body is trying to make up for the energy expended during the illness.

Increased appetite in women

The reaction of the brain center responsible for hunger in the woman's body is directly proportional to the phase of the monthly cycle. During the second phase, approximately 14 days before menstruation, this reaction becomes more pronounced, and a woman can have a constant desire to eat. For some, this problem occurs two weeks before the critical days, and others - for 2-3 days.

This is explained, first of all, by a cyclic rearrangement of the hormonal level. After ovulation, the amount of progesterone in the blood increases. Progesterone promotes the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones, which, in turn, accelerate the production of gastric juice. This affects not only the appearance of a feeling of hunger, but also the faster digestion of food.

Moreover, progesterone itself also causes an increase in appetite, since the main vocation of this hormone is to prepare the female body for pregnancy. The increase in its number means that the woman is ready to become pregnant, so the brain signals that it is necessary to urgently store nutrients in case of successful conception.

Since in the second half of the monthly cycle in the body of a woman begins to produce less insulin, then PMS may want simple carbohydrates: cakes, chocolates, chocolate. Simultaneously with a reduced content of pleasure hormones, all this can lead not only to a false sense of hunger, but also to overeating.

Increased appetite in the elderly

The reasons for increasing needs and cravings for food in old age are many. One such factor is memory impairment and concentration of attention: a person simply does not remember how much time has passed since the last meal, and demands food again. In addition, the elderly person may not have a feeling of saturation, due to numerous chronic diseases, including the digestive tract.

Old people worry and worry about their loved ones, their health, that their life is coming to an end. Anxiety creates the same craving for food: a person tries to drown out his problems and pain with another meal. Moreover, many old people keep their experiences "in themselves," and their nervous tension can be recognized only by the constant desire to eat.

There are endocrine factors of gluttony. Long-term diseases, metabolic disorders - all this affects the state of appetite. It is necessary to carry out a diagnosis to find out the cause of such a pathology, and to treat it.

It is especially important to consult a specialist if the constant use of food turns into a side effect - obesity.

Increased appetite for pregnancy

When a woman learns that she is pregnant, her body is already experiencing rapid hormonal changes. The need for nutrients sharply increases, moreover, the future mother begins to feel what exactly she needs to eat. There are different and not always ordinary wishes and preferences in products.

The first trimester of gestation, due to the inherent toxicity of this period, may be accompanied by a decrease in appetite: nausea, weakness, and sometimes vomiting. However, in the second trimester, well-being, as a rule, improves, and the need for food again manifests itself, even a few times more.

It is not surprising, because the female body spends a lot of strength and internal resources in order to form and bear the child. Every day, the menu should contain a full set of all necessary substances: proteins, carbohydrates, trace elements, vitamins, fats. If all the nutrients will be enough, then the body does not require more than necessary. This means that if a woman wants something, then in the body of this "something" is not enough.

Try to eat only healthy food, do not overeat, watch your weight according to the table of weight gain during pregnancy. Such a table can be taken in any women's consultation. If excessive craving for food leads to overeating and excessive weight gain, then together with your doctor, review the diet.

Increased appetite in a child

The child's appetite is subject to considerable fluctuations. It is briefly reduced, which can often be associated with poor nutrition, the quality of cooking, the monotony of the diet, the inadequacy of drinking in the hot season and other factors. Long-term disturbances of appetite, its reduction down to absence (anorexia) are associated with various pathologies and intoxication, diseases of the digestive system, nervous system, etc.

The state of increased appetite (polyphagia) in children is less common. Physiological increase in appetite is observed and periods of increased growth and development, for example, during the first extension (6-8 years), puberty, sometimes in preterm infants due to accelerated growth, in some cases during recovery from acute infectious diseases. Typically, an increase in appetite to high degrees (bulimia) in children with diabetes. Increased appetite in a child often leads to obesity. This symptom also appears in the tumor of the islet apparatus of the pancreas (beta cells) - insulinoma. In this case, hypoglycemia is also observed.

An increase in appetite can be observed in brain tumors, in particular, in the hypothalamic region, in some cases with congenital underdevelopment of the central nervous system, the long-term use of steroid hormones, sometimes with the use of phtivazide, and some antihistamines. Polyphagia is also observed in patients with some forms of malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, duodenal ulcer.

Increased appetite for breastfeeding

During the period of breastfeeding, the causes of a constant feeling of hunger may be:

• loss of fluid with milk;
• increased energy consumption (for milk production, child care, new cares for the home, etc.);
• habit of eating intensively during pregnancy;
• subjective factors - lack of sleep, feelings for the child, postpartum depression.

An important role is played by the balance of sex hormones. Most young mothers hormone levels stabilize about six months after childbirth, and all this time a woman may suffer from increased craving for food. As a rule, with time the level returns to normal and the attitude to nutrition is normalized.

The deterrent to not eat everything, should be the health of the child. It's no secret that almost everything that mother eats, passes to the child in the milk. What can be the gluttony of a woman for a baby: diathesis, colic in the tummy, allergies and even bronchial asthma. Before you go to the refrigerator again, think about whether you really want to eat, or is it just a whim of the body?

Increased appetite for gastritis

With gastritis, craving for food more often disappears than intensifies, because the pain in the stomach does not contribute to the desire to eat. However, sometimes it is possible and vice versa: uncontrolled allocation of gastric juice can provoke a false sense of hunger. In addition, many patients try to seize the pain with more food.

There is a third reason: the inflammatory process in the stomach requires extra vitamins and nutrients from the body, as well as liquids for removing the residual products of the inflammatory reaction.

To struggle with a constant feeling of hunger with gastritis is meaningless, it is necessary to treat gastritis directly. After recovery, the appetite will recover itself. But to go on about and overeat too it is impossible. It is more reasonable to eat often, but little by little, reducing the load on the digestive system. The diet should be made as easy as possible: for example, boiled soup should be replaced with broth, and garnish with meat - stewed vegetables.

Do not try to dramatically reduce the diet, since fasting is not the best option for gastritis. Eat every 2-2.5 hours, but portions should be small, not causing a sense of satiety. As the cure for the disease, the menu can be gradually expanded.

Increased appetite in the evening

Nutritionists explain the increase in appetite in the late afternoon by the following reasons:

• during the day a person lost calories;
• During the day he consumed a high-calorie carbohydrate food, which caused a sharp increase in sugar in the blood.

If the body lacks calories (for example, you are sitting on a strict diet), then at the first opportunity, he begins to demand food, and most often it happens in the evening or even at night.

If you ate sweets, sweets, or were tempted by a cake during the day, then a sharp drop in blood sugar levels will occur in a couple of hours, and the body will begin to require an additional portion of sweet. Another matter is complex carbohydrates (for example, cereals): they do not cause sharp jumps in the level of glucose, sugar rises and falls gradually, and the feeling of hunger is controlled.

When choosing a diet, remember that too much caloric restriction of food forces our body to demand food sooner or later, and to create unique reserves in the form of fatty deposits. The human body can not allow death to come from exhaustion, so the lack of calories at some point pours into a binge eating disorder. And if, at first, starving you seem easy enough, all subsequent attempts will sooner and later end with attacks of the evening "zhora".

Sometimes evening overeating is just a habit. All day at work, breakfast-lunch is fully just no time. And that in the end: in the evening a person comes home and gorges on "in two dinners". And so every day. The body becomes accustomed and calmly tolerates daytime starvation, knowing that in the evening the food will come in abundant quantities.

All of the above factors can be regarded as a violation of diet. This is not good for the digestive system, and for health in general. Therefore, food habits should be reviewed and eat fully and correctly.

Nausea and increased appetite

Nausea can talk about many diseases and conditions. So, nausea accompanied by some diseases of the digestive tract, violations of the vestibular apparatus, toxicosis in pregnancy, poisoning and intoxication. And what can indicate the appearance of nausea and at the same time a feeling of hunger?

Nausea can cause increased salivation and increased production of gastric juice, which triggers the emergence of a feeling of hunger. In such situations, you do not just want to eat: the food is digested faster, the digestive tract works more actively. Perhaps even more bowel movements.

If you do not talk about pregnancy, which can be accompanied by a similar condition, the listed symptoms can be a consequence of such diseases:

• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, acute and chronic form of gastritis, swelling in the stomach, esophagitis);
• pancreatic diseases (pancreatitis, tumors);
• diseases of the gallbladder;
• increased intracranial pressure, meningitis, encephalitis, parkinsonism;
• seasickness.

Sometimes bouts of nausea and a desire to eat appear when taking certain medications. It can be representatives of cardiac glycosides or antidepressants.

Increased appetite, drowsiness and weakness

A feeling of hunger and drowsiness, fatigue are observed with a lowered level of sugar in the blood. As a rule, this is a side effect of strict diets and starvation. You can take tests to make sure of a low amount of glucose in the blood. If the fears are confirmed, it is recommended that you visit a nutritionist who will revise your diet and make up a special menu that will meet your requirements (for example, for weight loss) and will not affect your health and well-being.

The feeling of hunger appears quite logical, due to a lack of nutrition for the body. The stomach is empty, respectively, the center of hunger signals that it is necessary to take food.

Weakness and drowsiness are associated with irreplaceable energy costs, general dehydration and muscle protein loss. A person feels drowsy, fatigued, he constantly wants to sleep, and the next morning he does not feel a sense of cheerfulness.

Increased appetite and weakness can also occur with an elevated blood sugar level associated with diabetes mellitus, adrenal or thyroid gland disorders. A persistent increase in the amount of sugar can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• frequent urination;
• dry mouth;
• emaciation;
• hunger;
• weakness;
• visual impairment;
• joining of infectious diseases.

The organism in this case is dehydrated, exhausted. A man does not just want to eat: most often he feels the need for sweet. At the same time, he does not recover, but on the contrary, loses weight, why the feeling of hunger and weakness only increase.

Swings in blood sugar should not be sharp. Follow the changes in the balance can be, several times passing the test for glucose. Follow-up consultation of an endocrinologist or therapist will determine whether there is a disease in the body. If so, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment and follow the dynamics of the patient's condition.

Very increased appetite

"Brutal" appetite is often a consequence of a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. Such disorders in most cases become the cause of excessive weight and obesity. People with such problems are drawn mainly to products rich in simple carbohydrates: sweets, cakes, cookies, pies, buns.

With the use of these products, the amount of glucose in the blood rapidly increases. An excessive amount of insulin enters the bloodstream, which also lowers the glucose level quickly. As a result of a sharp drop in glucose, the brain center again receives a signal that it is necessary to take food. It turns out a kind of vicious circle - the more we eat, the more we need. As a result, carbohydrate metabolism is upset, and after that, the general metabolic processes. There is an accumulation of excess energy, a large amount of fat tissue is produced, the cleavage of which is blocked by the brain. And as a result - obesity.

Excessive craving for food is not formed immediately - usually years of malnutrition, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, inactivity, etc. Because of this, the stabilization of the saturation center is necessary only by normalizing the diet and life principles.

Increased appetite for cancer

With cancer problems, appetite is usually lowered, not elevated. This is due to the strongest intoxication of the body, with the release of the decay products by the tumor, and also with the use of potent drugs, which also negatively affect the saturation centers.

The absence of a feeling of hunger in stomach cancer is due to the fact that the neoplasm fills the gastric lumen, which creates a feeling of satiety.

Intensification of hunger can be observed only in the early stages of the disease, or at the stage of recovery, when the patient after the course of therapy is on the mend. This is considered a good sign and means that the body is restored and requires additional nutrients.

However, eating with cancer is necessary. It is very important to maintain the body in an efficient state, because if it is weakened, it will not be able to resist the disease. The food should be high-grade, high-quality, high-calorie, small portions, but often.

Worms and increased appetite

Glistov, capable of settling in the human body, is known for more than two hundred species: mostly flat worms and nematodes. Because of the large number of parasites, the symptoms of infection may be significantly different. Thus, in helminthic invasions, both a decrease and an appetite exacerbation can be observed. Therefore, the presence of hunger can not be considered a characteristic sign of the presence of worms.

Infection with parasites is characterized by a complex of symptoms:

• unreasonable irritability, anger, constant fatigue, sleep disorders;
• uncomfortable sensations in the abdomen, increased gas formation, feeling of heaviness, absence or aggravation of hunger, digestion (constipation is replaced by diarrhea);
• anemia, beriberi;
• weight loss, in childhood - stunted growth;
• frequent allergies.

A constant feeling of hunger can be associated with worms, if along with an increased craving for food there is weight loss, and some of the other symptoms listed above.

In order to verify the presence of worms, it is necessary to take a few times to analyze the feces, you can also give a smear or scraping.

Increased appetite in men

Men are prone to gluttony no less than women. It goes without saying that the male sex needs more calories than women. However, sometimes you can not restrain yourself and eat too much. The reasons for which the body makes a man to eat more, too, is quite a lot:

• disorders of thyroid function, endocrine disorders;
• diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, ulcers, dysbacteriosis, etc.);
• suppressed, depressed states, lack of self-realization (dismissal from work, low wages, family disorders, etc.);
• frequent stress;
• chronic fatigue, overwork, lack of sleep, heavy physical labor;
• unbalanced nutrition, lack of adequate nutrition;
• alcohol consumption;
• dehydration.

More often than not, most of the problems listed are solved in a relatively short time by adjusting the diet, the regime of the day, providing time for sufficient rest and sleep.

If a man drinks alcohol, the resulting increase in appetite may be a consequence of metabolic disorders, a failure in the production of digestive enzymes and gastric juice, chronic damage to the digestive system. And, in the end, any acceptance of alcohol is accompanied by a dense "snack", because alcohol-containing drinks irritate the receptors of the stomach and provoke a "brutal" desire to eat.

All this must be taken into account when starting to struggle with increased appetite. To begin with, it is necessary to get rid of bad habits, to establish nutrition and lifestyle, to put in order the nervous system - and the main part of the problem can be solved.

Treatment of increased appetite

To combat the unmotivated sense of hunger, first of all you should adjust your diet. It is important to reduce the percentage of fat, sweet and spicy food in the diet, eat less semi-finished foods and ready meals from shops and fast foods. Many manufacturers add special flavor enhancers to products that encourage the consumer to buy and consume exactly this product, and in uncontrolled quantities: after such supplements, the usual home and healthy food will seem fresh and tasteless. Remember this when you buy food.

Avoid overeating. Better on time, put the plate aside: nothing terrible will happen if you finish the dish in an hour or two.

Take your time while eating, do not be distracted by talking on the phone, watching news or reading newspapers. In order for the body to understand that it has eaten, the eyes must see the food, and not the pages on the computer monitor.

Do not drink down food, it can facilitate the rapid evacuation of undigested food from the stomach, which manifests itself as a feeling of hunger in a short time.

Try not to overload the body, do not overwork. We always find time for work, sometimes forgetting about rest. But the body also needs to recover.

Do not forget to feed your body with vitamins, minerals, and also pure water. All this is vital for the proper functioning of organs, including the digestive system.

Speaking about the psychological aspect - problems on the personal front, stresses at work and at home - you can only wish one: look at life more positively, strive to be an optimist, and then many questions will be solved by themselves, and life will become brighter.

As for the tablets that affect the centers of hunger in the brain, it is not recommended to resort to their use. It is better to take medicinal herbs, as well as use certain foods to reduce appetite.

Increased appetite does not always speak of illness, you just need to reconsider your attitude to food and to life.