If you are diabetic or have closely interacted with a diabetic person, chances are you are familiar with the distressing hunger that one has to constantly deal with. The downside of this is diabetes, a condition that seems to thrive in high blood sugars, means you have to be on top of things to manage this disturbing occurrence. This article will attempt to explain why diabetics always suffer from hunger pangs.
What is Polyphagia?
Polyphagia is when you severely feel hungry despite having eaten. The hunger sensation and carbs craving is so high you find yourself having the urgency to keep eating. It’s a frustrating feeling of a raging hunger that cannot be overcome no matter how much you eat.
How is Polyphagia Caused?
Have you ever heard someone say they are experiencing low energy levels and must gobble some sugary carbohydrates? This occasionally happens when one eats simple carbohydrates that spike one’s sugar levels and then suddenly drop, causing low energy levels. If the occurrence ends here, then this would just be fine. The problem is when it becomes a cycle.
Where a person is diabetic-free, there could be a few reasons why one may be triggered with polyphagia, and these include:
• Emotional factors like stress and depression.
• Medications like psychotic drugs and corticosteroids can always make you feel hungry.
• Hormonal imbalances lead to hyperthyroidism and premenstrual syndrome, which produce insatiable hunger.
• Medical conditions like Prader-Willi Syndrome and Kleine-Levin Syndrome
• Low protein intake.
• Excessive exercise leading to depleted energy levels.
The Correlation Between Diabetes and Polyphagia
Whenever one has sustained hunger and thirst accompanied by frequent urination, this should point to an underlying medical condition, and it is prudent to get checked by a medical practitioner.
In some cases, polyphagia is a symptom of diabetes. Diabetes’ main symptoms are commonly associated with the three P’s: polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia, standing for frequent thirst, urination and hunger, respectively.
In an attempt to explain how polyphagia is related to diabetes, it is crucial to understand what diabetes is and its implication on one’s bodily functions.
Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. This happens when the insulin in charge of regulating the blood sugar is minimal or not utilized as it should by the body.
Insulin’s function usually is to help the glucose in the blood convert to energy that is transported to body cells, including the brain. When there is not enough to convert the blood sugars to energy, the body cells remain energy deprived, and the brain interprets this as hunger leading to carbohydrates cravings.
The more one eats, the more blood sugar levels get elevated, and without conversion to energy for cell use, the body starts converting fats to energy. This process of converting fats into energy releases ketones that make one susceptible to frequent urination and extreme thirst.
Symptoms of Diabetic Polyphagia
Symptoms vary from person to person, and not everyone with diabetes will experience polyphagia. A healthcare professional is better placed to provide a proper diagnosis and guidance on managing your symptoms. The common symptoms to look out for when it comes to diabetic polyphagia include the following:
• Intense and persistent hunger: Despite constant food indulgence, you have relentless food cravings that can make you gain weight very rapidly.
• Increased thirst and frequent urination: Increased thirst in diabetes is caused by high blood sugar levels, which cause the kidneys to work harder to filter and absorb excess glucose. This leads to increased urine production and dehydration, which triggers a vicious cycle of thirst and urination.
• Fatigue: Despite constant feeding, one still feels weak and lacking in energy since cells are starved of energy as sugar in the blood is not getting converted.
• Unexplained weight loss: Weight loss can also occur in some cases when the body is unable to convert blood sugar into energy and instead starts breaking down fat and muscle for energy leading to unintended weight loss.
When Should Polyphagia be Treated?
As indicated, polyphagia can be a telltale sign of an underlying condition. When it occurs alongside other symptoms, it is especially very crucial to get checked. These symptoms have already been discussed, like increased urination and thirst, unexplainable fatigue, and weight loss.
One effective tool for monitoring and managing polyphagia is a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) patch. For one to use a cgm patch, it is worn on the skin to continuously track your glucose levels and identify abnormal patterns in individuals with diabetes.
This data helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions regarding treatment options, such as adjusting medications or insulin doses, to manage polyphagia better and the underlying condition causing it.
Still, even without diabetes, you can also use the device. Some individuals with pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance may use a CGM to monitor their blood sugar levels and track how their body responds to different foods, exercise, or lifestyle changes, helping them make informed decisions about their diet and physical activity.
That said, it’s important to note that CGM systems are regulated medical devices intended for use by individuals with diabetes, and it’s good to involve a healthcare professional to interpret the data and any adjustments to lifestyle or treatment whenever one chooses to use one.
As challenging as polyphagia sounds, there is hope and support available. By seeking medical attention, exploring treatment options, and utilizing tools like CGM patches, you can better understand and manage polyphagia, ultimately improving your overall well-being and quality of life.