Here Are 7 Shocking Causes of Excessive Hunger, and Read Why Women Face Their Own ‘Dietary’ Hunger Games!

If you constantly desire to eat more or in larger quantities than usual, it is a sign that your appetite has grown. However, consuming more calories than your body needs can cause you to gain weight in the long run. 

It's perfectly natural to experience increased appetite after engaging in strenuous physical activity or other activities. However, if you see a significant rise in your hunger that lasts for a considerable time, it may signify that you are suffering from a serious ailment, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism.

Alterations in appetite and excessive food consumption have been linked to various mental health issues and can trigger many medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress. Let us get into this blog to learn about the causes of constant hunger, excessive hunger, especially in females, and which illnesses cause constant hunger.

Table Of Contents

1. What Causes Constant Hunger?

2. 6 Causes Of Excessive Hunger

3. 4 Causes Of Excessive Hunger In Females

4. What Illness Causes Constant Hunger? 

5. Dietitian's Recommendation

6. The Final Say

7. FAQs

8. References

What Causes Constant Hunger?

And here is where all my money is going to—food. 

Constant hunger can result from several factors, including diet, lifestyle, and physiological imbalances. One common cause is eating too many refined carbohydrates and sugars, which spike blood sugar levels quickly but lead to rapid drops, triggering hunger shortly after eating. Skipping meals or consuming low-protein, low-fibre foods can also leave you hungry, as protein and fibre promote satiety and slow digestion.

Hormonal imbalances, particularly involving ghrelin (the "hunger hormone") and leptin (the "satiety hormone"), can disrupt appetite regulation. Elevated stress levels can lead to higher amounts of cortisol, contributing to emotional eating and a desire for comfort foods. Lack of sleep also influences hunger, reducing leptin and increasing ghrelin, making you hungrier.

Increased physical activity can boost hunger since the body burns more energy and demands more fuel. Lastly, being dehydrated can also be mistaken for hunger because the body sometimes confuses thirst with hunger signals.

Also Read: How To Stop Sugar Cravings? Discover Supplements & Tips For A Healthier Lifestyle 

6 Causes Of Excessive Hunger

I guess we all know this but just accept the truth. 

If you go several hours without eating, you will naturally experience feelings of hunger because your body gets energy from your food. On the other hand, if your stomach grumbles all the time, even after you have eaten, this could be a sign that something is wrong with your health. Polyphagia is the clinical word for an excessive state of hunger.

Here are the 6 causes of excessive hunger:

1. Sleep Deprivation

If you do not get enough sleep, it can affect the hormones in your body that regulate hunger. People who do not get enough sleep tend to have an enormous appetite and difficulty feeling full after eating. When you are worn out, you are more prone to crave fatty foods. 

2. Stress

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the body whenever tension or anxiety occurs. So, naturally, this makes you feel even hungrier than you already were. When under pressure, many crave foods heavy in sugar, fat, or both. Your body may be trying to "turn off" the part of your brain that is responsible for causing you to be anxious.

You can opt for ToneOp Fit’s Live Yoga Session, which can help you learn and adapt mindfulness to manage stress.

3. On Going Medication

Certain medicines may accompany a greater appetite than usual. Antihistamines, used to treat allergies, are recognised for this, as are antidepressants called SSRIs, steroids, certain diabetes medications, and antipsychotic drugs.

Suppose you have seen a change in your weight since beginning a new medication. In that case, the medication may be causing you to feel hungry. Talk to your physician about trying other medicines to treat your condition.

4. Diabetes

Your body converts the sugar in the food into a fuel called glucose. However, if you have diabetes, glucose cannot enter the cells in your body. So, instead of eliminating it through urine, your body will advise you to eat more food.

People who have type 1 diabetes, in particular, can consume substantial quantities of food while yet maintaining or achieving an ideal body weight.

Also Read: Top 10 Foods That Help To Manage Diabetes

5. Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the amount of glucose present in the body falls to dangerously low levels. People who have diabetes frequently worry about this issue. 

Still, it can also be brought on by various other health conditions. These conditions include hepatitis, kidney problems, neuroendocrine tumours in the pancreas (also known as insulinomas), and issues with the adrenal or pituitary glands.

6. Low-Fat Diet

Fat is essential to maintaining fullness in the body. This is due, in part, to the fact that it has a delayed gastrointestinal transit time, which means that it requires more time to be digested and stays in your stomach for a considerable amount of time. In addition, eating fat may cause the body to release several hormones that promote satiety.

If your diet is low in fat for any of these reasons, you may experience hunger more frequently.

Compared with a group with a low-carb diet, individuals who followed a low-fat diet were shown to have significant increases in cravings for carbohydrates and preferences for high-sugar meals, according to a study that included 270 adults who were obese.

Also Read: Role Of Happy Hormones In Weight Loss: Unlock 100% Success in Achieving Your Dream Body with This In-Depth Guide! 

4 Causes Of Excessive Hunger In Females

Here is what may cause excessive hunger in females:

1. Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can cause increased hunger in females. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect appetite regulation and can lead to cravings or overeating. During the menstrual cycle, especially in the luteal phase, the body may demand more calories, leading to excessive hunger.

2. Emotional Stress

Some women experience increased hunger due to stress and emotional factors. Consuming high-calorie comfort foods as a result of stress, anxiety, or depression is commonly known as emotional eating, which is also called stress-eating disorder. Stress causes an elevation in cortisol levels, which shows a rise in appetite and potentially results in overeating as a way of dealing with it.

3. Thyroid Issues

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can increase metabolism and lead to excessive hunger. This condition causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, increasing energy expenditure and appetite. Women with hyperthyroidism may feel constantly hungry, even if they eat large meals.

4. PCOD/PCOS

PCOS women have insulin resistance, and it is highly affected by obesity or weight gain. Blood sugar drops are widespread in PCOS women, which leads to excessive hunger issues. A healthy diet and lifestyle changes increase the chances of weight loss, and excessive hunger could be reduced.

You can also try ToneOp Care’s Ova 360 sachets to manage PCOD/PCOS symptoms, including cravings and excessive hunger. 

Also Read: How Is Urban Lifestyle Leading To PCOD AND PCOS?

What Illness Causes Constant Hunger?

Figure out the disease and control your hunger. 

Several medical conditions can cause constant hunger, the most common being hyperthyroidism, where an overactive thyroid increases metabolism, leading to increased energy needs and appetite. Diabetes, especially type 1, is another condition that causes constant hunger (polyphagia). In this case, the body struggles to use glucose properly, making you feel hungry even if you've eaten. Blood sugar remains elevated, but cells can’t absorb glucose, causing persistent hunger despite eating.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) also triggers frequent hunger as the body attempts to raise glucose levels. Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder, affects hunger regulation, leading to constant food cravings. Lastly, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety can sometimes cause emotional eating, where hunger is driven by psychological distress rather than physical need.

Also Read: 4 Major Types Of Eating Disorder Symptoms That You Should Be Aware About 

Dietitian's Recommendation

Don't miss meals, as it can result in overeating afterwards. You can practice mindful eating by paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues and avoiding distractions during meals. 

Frequent small meals every 2-3 hours can also reduce excessive hunger during the next meal. Incorporate high-fibre foods, such as chia seeds and fruits, into your meals to help you feel full for longer. In addition, hunger can also be affected by medical conditions.

                                                                             Dt. Akshata Gandevikar

The Final Say

In conclusion, understanding the causes of excessive hunger can help you manage your cravings better. We explored different causes of extreme hunger that affect everyone, especially women. Remember, excessive hunger is a symptom of stress, hormonal changes, or diet choices. 

By knowing these reasons for excessive hunger, you can make smarter food choices and feel more in control of your appetite. Stay aware and take steps to keep your hunger in check!

FAQs

1. Mention some commonly occurring reasons for excessive hunger.

Some commonly occurring reasons for excessive hunger are:

• Low-fat diet

• Stress

• Low blood sugar

• Sleep deprivation

2. What are the causes of uncontrollable hunger?

Some causes of uncontrollable hunger are:

• Anxiety

• Hyperthyroidism

• Diabetes

• Ongoing medication

3. What causes a high appetite? 

Various factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, and dietary choices, can cause high appetite. Conditions like diabetes and hyperthyroidism also contribute to increased hunger, as they affect how the body regulates energy and nutrients.

References

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24637-polyphagia-hyperphagia

• https://www.webmd.com/diet/reasons-always-hungry

• https://www.invigormedical.com/weight-loss/9-reasons-for-increased-appetite-in-women/?srsltid=AfmBOooBKHDV_UqMI5j4nZSTLgcc07J1rJ23dH7rPgZ7940Jojj19q1z

  
  

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