Hyperphagia
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Revision as of 20:08, 9 February 2012 by SuperSleeper (talk | contribs) (Created page with "'''Polyphagia''' is weight loss despite increased appetite (initially) It derives from the Greek words πολύς (polys) which means "very much", and φαγῶ (phago), verb...")
Polyphagia is weight loss despite increased appetite (initially) It derives from the Greek words πολύς (polys) which means "very much", and φαγῶ (phago), verb for "I eat".
In medicine, polyphagia (sometimes known as hyperphagia) is a medical sign meaning excessive hunger and abnormally large intake of solids by mouth. Disorders such as diabetes, Kleine-Levin Syndrome (a malfunction in the hypothalamus), the genetic disorders Prader-Willi Syndrome and Bardet Biedl Syndrome can cause hyperphagia (compulsive hunger).
Polyphagia usually occurs early in the course of diabetic ketoacidosis. However, once insulin deficiency becomes more severe and ketoacidosis develops, appetite is suppressed.
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