Enhanced Hunger: Discovering the Roots, Causes, and Strategies to Control It
Several medical conditions can lead to a sudden increase in appetite, each accompanied by distinct associated symptoms. Here are some of the key conditions to be aware of.
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive, causing a significant increase in the body's metabolic rate. This results in the body burning calories faster, leading to weight loss despite increased eating. Other symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and heat intolerance.
Diabetes and Prediabetes
In diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), cells cannot properly use glucose for energy, leading to persistent hunger due to cellular "starvation" despite high blood sugar. This condition is also associated with increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or gain, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Inflammation and immune system proteins can disrupt appetite regulation via the gut-brain axis in inflammatory bowel disease. Increased appetite may be linked to anxiety, depression, medication side effects (especially corticosteroids like prednisone), and flares. Associated symptoms include digestive issues, weight changes, mood changes, and nighttime hunger (notably with steroids).
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Though not fully understood, SIBO disrupts gut bacteria balance, potentially causing gastrointestinal symptoms and weight gain. Increased appetite could be a related factor. Associated symptoms include gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Other conditions like perimenopause might indirectly influence appetite and weight through hormonal fluctuations, but sudden increase in appetite is less directly associated.
Depression can cause an increased appetite and weight gain. Cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress, can also increase appetite. A 2021 study reported that approximately people with COVID-19 develop a condition known as post-COVID-19 syndrome, which can include an increased appetite. An increased appetite is also a common symptom experienced by people who quit smoking.
When taking steroids long-term, an increased appetite should be discussed with a doctor. The absence of nicotine can cause a person's sense of taste and smell to return to normal, making eating more enjoyable.
In diabetes, an increased appetite is accompanied by tiredness and increased thirst. Treatment for hyperthyroidism may involve medications, surgery, or radioiodine therapy. A diagnosis of increased appetite involves a medical history, exam, blood tests, and possibly imaging and other tests.
Treatment for increased appetite due to depression or insomnia may involve getting regular exercise, medications, or other treatments. Insomnia can lead to increased appetite due to physiological changes and hormonal imbalances.
Long COVID, also known as long-haulers syndrome, involves long-term symptoms stemming from coronavirus infection and can include an increased appetite. When an increased appetite persists over time or results in weight gain, it is important to contact a doctor.
An increased appetite is not always a problem, it may happen in response to exercise or be a side effect of medication that is only necessary to take short-term. Management of an increased appetite resulting from quitting smoking may involve keeping healthy snacks like carrot and celery sticks on hand.
In females, the hormone estradiol reduces appetite and increases feelings of satiety, helping to prevent weight gain. Reduced estradiol levels during adolescence, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can lead to increased appetite and weight gain.
An increased appetite can be a symptom of various conditions, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, depression, and post-COVID-19 effects. Treatment for increased appetite due to diabetes may involve dietary recommendations, stopping smoking, and medications. Hyperthyroidism results in an increased appetite but leads to weight loss. If an individual experiences an increased appetite after starting on a new prescription, they should report it to their doctor. Certain medications, such as steroids like prednisone, can increase appetite.
- Hyperthyroidism can lead to weight loss despite increased eating due to the body's faster metabolic rate.
- Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) causes a persistent hunger due to cellular "starvation" despite high blood sugar.
- Inflammatory bowel disease can alter appetite regulation via the gut-brain axis, causing increased appetite.
- SIBO may disrupt gut bacteria balance, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and weight gain.
- Depression can cause an increased appetite and weight gain due to cortisol production.
- A 2021 study reported that COVID-19 can cause a condition called post-COVID-19 syndrome, which includes an increased appetite.
- An increased appetite is a common symptom experienced by people who quit smoking as their sense of taste and smell return.
- Long-term steroid use can lead to an increased appetite, which should be discussed with a doctor.
- In diabetes, an increased appetite is accompanied by tiredness and increased thirst.
- Treatment for increased appetite due to depression or insomnia may involve getting regular exercise, medications, or other treatments.
- Long COVID can include symptoms like an increased appetite.
- An increased appetite persisting over time or leading to weight gain should be discussed with a doctor.
- Exercise or medication side effects may temporarily cause an increased appetite.
- Management of an increased appetite resulting from quitting smoking may involve keeping healthy snacks handy.
- In females, reduced estradiol levels during certain life stages like adolescence, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause can lead to increased appetite.
- Various conditions, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, depression, and post-COVID-19 effects, can cause an increased appetite.
- Treatment for increased appetite due to diabetes may involve dietary changes, quitting smoking, and medications.
