Have you noticed or has your loved one commented that he always feels hungry lately? While many elderly people lose their appetite somewhat as they age due to slower metabolism and less activity, occasionally, there are health conditions that cause an appetite to go unchecked, where nothing seems to satisfy it. The medical term for extreme hunger that cannot be satiated is polyphagia. Your loved one may need some help with building better lifestyle choices to prevent her from overeating when they aren’t hungry, and senior home care providers can step on and assist with their eating habits.
What is Polyphagia?
Polyphagia is not a condition but a symptom of one of many other conditions that may be occurring in a person’s health journey. It refers to a person who is dealing with excessive hunger or increased appetite. The hunger and desire for food don’t dissipate even after eating a large meal, but persist and often cause the person to overeat.
Six Health Issues That May Cause Polyphagia
Hypoglycemia. Also known as low blood sugar, hypoglycemia occurs when the blood glucose levels drop to unhealthy levels. This can cause the body to crave sugar to replenish those levels.
Diabetes. With diabetes, the body has a build-up of glucose in the bloodstream which signals the brain to crave more food even after eating. The body can’t get the energy it needs from food, even though blood sugar levels are high.
Stress. If your elderly loved one is feeling consistently anxious, her body may release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol increases a person’s feeling of hunger. Stress may cause your loved one to crave foods high in sugar, fat, or both. It may be the body’s attempt to “shut off” the part of the brain filled with worry.
Graves’ Disease. This autoimmune disease occurs when the thyroid produces excessive hormones that control hunger, metabolism, and appetite. Your loved one may be eating nonstop but still losing weight.
Insomnia. A lack of sleep can lead to an increased appetite. Not getting enough rest can affect the hormones in the body that control hunger, making a person feel hungry more often. Sleep deprivation can cause someone to have a bigger appetite and find it more difficult to feel full after eating.
Medication Side Effects. Some medications increase appetite levels. Some antihistamines, antidepressants, and steroids can increase appetite. If your loved one has noticed this after starting a new medication, talk with her doctor about what options she might have.
Managing Polyphagia at Home
Your loved one’s doctor will work with her to determine what is causing her polyphagia. Once the root cause is found, your loved one can work with her doctor to treat the cause and then reduce the episodes of extreme hunger.
If she is living on her own, it can be helpful to have a senior home care provider assist your loved one in setting herself up for success when it comes to choosing the right amount of food to eat and the best types of food to enjoy. A senior home care provider can help her with preparing healthy yet satisfying meals as well as assist her with portion control if she needs help in that area. From purchasing the right products in the store to meal prepping and portioning servings, a senior home care provider can help your loved one transition back to healthy eating habits in no time.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Atlanta, GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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