Appetite - increased
Definition
Increased appetite is having an excess desire for food. Hyperphagia and polyphagia refer to being focused only on eating (gluttony), or eating excessively before feeling full. These can be symptoms of different diseases.
Alternative Names
Hyperphagia; Increased appetite; Hunger; Excessive hunger; PolyphagiaConsiderations
Both mental conditions and endocrine gland disorders can cause polyphagia, which is fairly common.
Polyphagia can come and go (intermittent), or it can last for long periods of time (persistent), depending on the cause. It does not always result in weight gain.
Causes
Causes of increased appetite include:
- Anxiety
- Certain drugs (such as corticosteroids, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants)
- Bulimia (most common in women 18 - 30 years old)
- Diabetes mellitus (including gestational diabetes)
- Graves' disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
- Premenstrual syndrome
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