Why Am I Always Hungry: 11 Reasons You’re Hungry All the Time
Your body relies on food for energy, so it’s normal to feel hungry if you don’t eat for a few hours. But if your stomach has a constant rumble, even after a meal, something could be going on with your health.
The medical term for extreme hunger is polyphagia. If you feel hungry all the time, see your doctor.
Several things can cause hunger.
1. Diabetes
Your body turns the sugar in food into fuel called glucose. But when you have diabetes, glucose can’t reach your cells. Your body pees it out instead and tells you to eat more.
People who have type 1 diabetes, in particular, may eat large amounts of food and still lose weight.
In addition to a spike in your appetite, symptoms of diabetes may include:
- Extreme thirst
- The need to pee more often
- Weight loss you can’t explain
- Blurry vision
- Cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal
- Tingling or pain in your hands or feet
- Fatigue
2. Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia is what you have when the glucose in your body drops to very low levels. It’s a common concern for people with diabetes, but other health problems can cause it, too. They include hepatitis, kidney disorders, neuroendocrine tumors in your pancreas (insulinomas), and problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands.
In severe cases, people with hypoglycemia may seem drunk. They may slur their words and have trouble walking. Other symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Feeling like your heart is skipping a beat
- Pale skin
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Tingling around the mouth
3. Lack of Sleep
Not getting enough rest can affect the hormones in your body that control hunger. People who are sleep-deprived have a bigger appetite and find it harder to feel full. You’re also more likely to crave high-fat, high-calorie foods when you’re tired.
Other effects of sleep deprivation include:
- A hard time staying alert
- Change in mood
- Clumsiness
- More accidents
- Trouble staying awake during the day
- Weight gain
