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Appetite - increased

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Illustrations

Lower digestive anatomy
Lower digestive anatomy

Alternative Names    Return to top

Hyperphagia; Increased appetite; Hunger; Excessive hunger; Polyphagia

Definition    Return to top

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.

Considerations    Return to top

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    Return to top

Causes of increased appetite include:

Home Care    Return to top

Emotional support, and in some cases counseling, are recommended.

For drugs that cause increased appetite and weight gain, ask your health care provider if you can decrease the dosage or stop the medication. ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Contact your health care provider if:

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. During the physical examination, the health care provider will probably weigh you. You also may have a psychological evaluation

The doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, with emphasis on your eating habits. Questions may include:

Tests that may be done includee:

Update Date: 8/15/2007

Updated by: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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