Mental Health Causes of Polyphagia By Heather Jones facebook twitter Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability,and feminism. Learn about our editorial process Heather Jones Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD on April 05, 2021 linkedin Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues and general endocrinology. She currently has a private practice in Lafayette, CA. Learn about our Medical Review Board Do-Eun Lee, MD Published on April 05, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Diabetes Poor Blood Sugar Levels Hyperthyroidism Premenstrual Syndrome Sleep Disruptions Stress, Anxiety, or Depression Rare Medical Conditions Medication Polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia, is an intense hunger that is not satiated by eating. The craving can be for food in general, or a specific food, and leads to overeating. It is a symptom associated with several conditions, primarily diabetes. Superb Images / Getty Images Diabetes Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that affect the way the body processes and uses sugar. Left untreated, diabetes causes blood glucose (sugar) to rise to harmful levels and can cause damage to organs or lead to organ failure and death. The three main types of diabetes are: Type 1: This is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented. With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes no insulin or very little insulin. This type almost always requires the administration of insulin via injections or a pump that sits on the skin. Type 2: The hallmark of this type of diabetes is insulin resistance, in which the body cells don't respond normally to insulin. Over time, the pancreas can't make enough insulin to compensate for the resistance and blood glucose rises. Gestational: Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby. Untreated, it can cause pregnancy complications. Polyphagia is one of the "three Ps" of diabetes, along with: Polyuria: Increased urination Polydipsia: Increased thirst These three symptoms are some of the most recognizable symptoms of diabetes. Other symptoms of diabetes include: Nighttime urination Unexplained weight loss Blurry vision Numbness or tingling in hands or feet Fatigue Dry skin Increased infections Sores, bruises, wounds, and infections that are slow to heal Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can also include: Nausea Vomiting Stomach pains Gestational diabetes often has no symptoms. People who are pregnant should be screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, or more often if indicated by their healthcare provider. Poor Blood Sugar Levels Too much or too little sugar in the blood can trigger polyphagia. This happens most frequently with people who are diabetic and can be an indication that the diabetes is not properly managed. Hyperglycemia Hyperglycemia means there is too much sugar in the blood. Body cells need insulin in order to use blood sugar for energy. Insulin needs vary based on the type of diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes do not make any insulin or make a very small amount of insulin. People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance. Both of these prevent the cells from being able to access the blood sugar and use it efficiently. Because the cells are not getting the energy from the food being eaten, the body still sends out hunger signals. Eating more food then raises the blood sugar higher, creating a cause and effect cycle. Other symptoms of hyperglycemia include: Blurred vision Frequent urination Headache Fatigue Unexplained weight loss Infections (vaginal and skin) Wounds, cuts, bruises, and infections that are slow to heal. If not addressed, hyperglycemia can lead to ketoacidosis (a build-up of ketones in the blood causing toxicity), primarily in people with type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include: Vomiting Dehydration Sweet or fruity breath Sweet-smelling urine Difficulty breathing or hyperventilation Confusion or disorientation Rapid heartbeat Coma Ketoacidosis Is an Emergency Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medication attention. It can lead to coma or death if not treated quickly. If you are showing signs of ketoacidosis, contact your healthcare provider right away, or go to the nearest emergency room. Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar and can also cause polyphagia. With hypoglycemia, the body sends hunger signals because the cells are not receiving sugar from the blood to use for energy. This is because there is not enough sugar in the blood for the cells to use. Hypoglycemia is a common occurrence for people with type 1 diabetes and diabetics who are taking insulin or diabetes medication. An excess of insulin lowers blood sugar too much. It can also be caused by: Not eating enough food The types of foods eaten (for instance, too few carbohydrates) Miscalculated timing or amount of insulin injected Physical activity These can throw off the balance between insulin and blood sugar. Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include: Hunger Nausea Feeling shaky Sweating, chills, or clamminess Feeling nervous or anxious Confusion Fast heartbeat Irritability or impatience Palor (color drained from the skin) Sleepiness Feeling weak/no energy Headache Blurred/impaired vision Problems with coordination/clumsiness Tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks Nightmares or crying out during sleep (blood sugar often drops at night) Seizures Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include: Blurred vision Difficulty concentrating Confused thinking Slurred speech Numbness Drowsiness Falling unconscious Seizures Severe Hypoglycemia Is an Emergency Blood sugar that drops too low can be life-threatening. If you are experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia: Test your blood sugar right away If your blood sugar is low, eat or drink fast-acting carbohydrates, or take glucose tablets. Repeat until blood sugar returns to normal. If symptoms are severe or not getting better, call 911. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland (a small gland in the front of the neck) produces too many thyroid hormones. Untreated, this can cause: Heart problems Problems with bones and muscles Menstrual cycle abnormalities Fertility problems Pregnancy complications (for parent and baby) The increased metabolism (the process of turning food into energy) resulting from hyperthyroidism can cause an increased appetite or polyphagia. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: Palpitations (rapid heartbeat) Feeling shaky, nervous, or anxious Muscle weakness Weight loss Digestive problems (diarrhea and more frequent bowel movements) Thin skin Menstrual changes Sleep problems Double vision Intolerance to heat excessive sweating Swelling and enlargement of the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) Hair loss Change in hair texture (brittle) Bulging of the eyes (seen with Graves’ disease) People with type 1 diabetes are among those at an increased risk for hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms experienced by some people during the one to two weeks before a menstrual period. An increased appetite and food cravings (especially for sweet or salty foods) are symptoms of PMS. Other symptoms include: Bloating Breast tenderness Acne Swelling of feet and ankles Headaches Fluid retention and weight gain Uterine cramps just before and during the first few days of menstruation Fatigue/low energy Back or muscle pain Palpitations Dizziness Emotional changes such as mood swings, irritability, depression, aggressiveness or hostility, crying spells Difficulty concentrating Forgetfulness Changes in sex drive PMS vs. PMDD Do not confuse PMS with the more serious PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). While they both have similar physical symptoms, the psychological impact of PMDD is much more severe and can be life-threatening. Sleep Disruptions Proper sleep is important, especially for people with conditions such as diabetes. Sleep disturbances can throw blood sugar levels off balance. Lack of Sleep While a restless night or two isn't usually harmful, longer-term lack of sleep can cause problems with blood sugar, which in turn can increase instances of polyphagia. Inadequate sleep increases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can make the body less sensitive to insulin. This triggers an increase in glucose (blood sugar) which can lead to hyperglycemia. In addition to hyperglycemia, polyphagia from lack of sleep can be caused by increased hunger to compensate for exhaustion. Fluctuating blood sugar can also make getting adequate, uninterrupted sleep difficult for people who are diabetic. Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by long pauses (more than 10 seconds) in breathing during sleep. It is common in people who have diabetes and/or people who are overweight. Symptoms of sleep apnea include: Frequent snoring Constantly feeling sleep-deprived/falling asleep during normal daytime activities Difficulties with learning, concentrating, and memory Disturbed sleep Depression Irritability Sexual dysfunction If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to: Daytime exhaustion and fogginess Drowsy driving High blood pressure Cardiac problems such as arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, heart attack Stroke Depression and mood issues Memory issues Insulin resistance, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes As with lack of sleep, the sleep disturbances associated with sleep apnea can lead to blood sugar imbalances that increase instances of polyphagia. Don't Ignore Snoring Snoring is often written off as a nuisance to a bed-sharing partner, but it is often a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can lead to serious complications but is treatable. If you regularly snore, ask your healthcare provider to refer you for a sleep study. Stress, Anxiety, or Depression Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect lives in many ways, including self-care. Experiencing these stressors can make things like eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep more difficult, which can cause health problems (such as uncontrolled blood sugar). Stress and mental health problems also make the management of diabetes less consistent and increase stress hormones such as cortisol, which are known to increase blood sugar. Uncontrolled blood sugar from stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to polyphagia. Feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed can also increase comfort-eating and binge-eating. While comfort-eating and binge-eating are not the same as polyphagia, they can cause increased blood sugar which leads to polyphagia. Symptoms of stress include: Nervousness Fast heartbeat Rapid breathing Digestive problems Depression Symptoms of depression include: Feeling sad Irritability Loss of interest in activities Feeling worthless Changes in sleep Fatigue or low energy Rare Medical Conditions Some medical conditions can cause polyphagia, including two rare disorders. Kleine-Levin Syndrome Primarily affecting adolescent males (though it can affect anyone), Kleine-Levin syndrome is a disorder marked by episodes lasting a few days to a few weeks. During these episodes, people with Kleine-Levin syndrome can experience: Excessive sleep (up to 20 hours a day) Polyphagia Flu-like symptoms Irritability Childishness Disorientation Hallucinations Abnormally uninhibited sex drive Between episodes, these symptoms disappear. People with Kleine-Levin syndrome may not remember everything that happened during the episode. The exact cause of Kleine-Levin syndrome is unknown but may be due to a malfunction of the hypothalamus and thalamus (parts of the brain that control appetite and sleep). Prader-Willi Syndrome Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic condition present at birth and marked by the onset of polyphagia beginning in early childhood. In infancy, the symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome include: Hypotonia (weak muscle tone) Feeding difficulties Poor growth Delayed development Other characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome include: Mild to moderate intellectual impairment and learning disabilities Behavioral problems including temper outbursts and stubbornness Compulsive behavior such as skin picking Sleep abnormalities Distinctive facial features such as a narrow forehead, almond-shaped eyes, and a triangular mouth Short stature Small hands and feet Underdeveloped genitals Delayed or incomplete puberty Infertility (usually) Many people with Prader-Willi syndrome become overweight, and some develop type 2 diabetes. Side Effects of Medication Some medications can cause polyphagia, including: Corticosteroids: This includes cortisone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone/ Cyproheptadine: An antihistamine. Tricyclic antidepressants: This includes Anafranil (clomipramine), Ascendin (amoxapine), Elavil (amitriptyline). Polyphagia can also be a result of marijuana use. A Word From Verywell Polyphagia can be caused by a number of different conditions, and can often be treated. Treatment for polyphagia depends on the underlying condition—for example, diabetes-related hyperphagia is managed by keeping blood sugar levels balanced and under control. If you are experiencing symptoms of hyperphagia, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2014;37(Supplement_1):S81-S90. doi:10.2337/dc14-S081 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes symptoms. Updated March 24, 2020. Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes: an overview. Update March 28, 2021. Cleveland Clinic. Hyperglycemia: causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention. Updated February 12, 2021. American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Cleveland Clinic. Hyperthyroidism: symptoms, causes, treatment & medication. Updated April 19, 2020. Harvard Health. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Updated January 2019. Diabetes Strong. Diabetes and sleep problems: causes and treatment options. Updated March 18, 2020. Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes: stress and depression. Updated April 3, 2015. National Institute Of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Kleine-Levin syndrome information page. Updated March 27, 2019. MedlinePlus. Prader-Willi syndrome. Updates July 1, 2020. MedlinePlus. Appetite-increased. Updated February 26, 2021.