TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Already eaten but still feeling hungry, identify these 8 things that cause hunger. Launching from WebMd, Saturday, May 15, 2021, the human body does depend on food for energy, so it is only natural that we feel hungry if we don’t eat for several hours. However, if your stomach continues to growl or feels hungry, even after eating, it is likely that something is wrong with your health.
The medical term for extreme hunger is polyphagia. If you feel hungry all the time, see a doctor right away. Here are a few things that can cause hunger:
1. Diabetes
Your body converts the sugar in food into a fuel called glucose. But when you have diabetes, glucose can’t reach your cells. Your body actually excretes it and tells you to eat more. People who have type 1 diabetes, in particular, are likely to eat large amounts of food. In addition to a spike in appetite, diabetes symptoms can include extreme thirst, urinating more frequently, weight loss you can’t explain, blurred vision, cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal, tingling or pain in your hands or feet, and fatigue
2. Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar occurs when the glucose in the body drops to a very low level. This is a common problem for people with diabetes, but other health problems can also cause it. These include hepatitis, kidney disorders, neuroendocrine tumors in the pancreas (insulinomas), and problems with the adrenal or pituitary glands. In severe cases, people with hypoglycemia may appear drunk. They may say things without realizing it and have trouble walking. Other symptoms can include restlessness, feeling of a racing heart, pale skin, trembling, sweating, and tingling around the mouth.
3. Lack of Sleep
Not getting enough rest can affect the hormones in your body that control hunger. Sleep-deprived people have a bigger appetite and find it more difficult to feel full. You also tend to crave high-fat, high-calorie foods when you are tired. Other effects of sleep deprivation include difficulty staying alert, mood swings, clumsiness, difficulty staying awake throughout the day, and weight gain.
4. Stress
When you are anxious or tense, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This increases hunger. Many people who are under stress also crave foods high in sugar, fat, or both. It may be your body’s attempt to shut down the part of the brain that is causing you worry. Other symptoms include angry outbursts, fatigue, headaches, trouble sleeping, and stomach aches
5. Diet
Not all foods make you full the same way. Foods that best reduce hunger are those that are high in protein – such as lean meat, fish, or dairy products – or high in fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Healthy fats like those found in nuts, fish, and sunflower oil can lower your cholesterol levels.
They are the key to a balanced diet and can help you feel satisfied after eating. Pastries, white bread, many packaged foods, and fast food are nutrient deficient. Not only that, these foods are high in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. If you eat this much, you can feel hungry again immediately after eating. You may be eating more than you should. You may feel fuller after eating if you take more time to chew and enjoy the food, than to eat it quickly. It can also help to pay attention to what’s on your plate, not your TV or cell phone.
6. Treatment
Some medications can make you want to eat more than usual. Antihistamines, which treat allergies, are known for this, such as antidepressants called SSRIs, steroids, some diabetes medications, and antipsychotic drugs. If you have gained weight since starting treatment, the drug may make you feel hungry. Talk to your doctor to find out what other medications might work for you.
7. Pregnancy
Many mothers-to-be see a big jump in appetite. This is your body’s way of making sure your baby is getting enough nutrients to grow. Most women gain between 2 and 3 kg during the first 3 months (doctors will call this the first trimester) and then 0.5 kg a week during the second and third months.
8. Thyroid Problems
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes hormones that control the speed at which every organ in the body works. If the thyroid is overworked, you may develop hyperthyroidism. Apart from an enlarged thyroid gland, other signs of a problem are a fast pulse, feeling nervous, sweating more than usual, muscle weakness and thirst even after drinking.
Read: Fasting Ramadan, Cause of Hunger Again after 2-4 Hours of Sahur
– .
