STUDY - Technical - New Dacian's Medicine
Polyphagia
(Classical / Allopathic Medicine)
Polyphagia,
also known as hyperphagia, refers to voracious or
excessive eating before satiety. This common symptom can
be persistent or intermittent, resulting primarily from an
endocrine or psychological disorder or the use of certain
drugs. Depending on the underlying cause, polyphagia may
cause weight gain.
HISTORY:
Ask the patient what he has had to eat and drink within the last 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about the previous 2 days’ intake for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten.
Ask the patient whether his eating or exercise habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia?
Ask the patient about conditions that may trigger overeating, such as stress, depression, or menstruation (if the patient is female). Does the patient actually feel hungry or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?
Ask the patient about associated signs and symptoms, such as changes in weight, fatigue, nervousness, excitability, heat intolerance, dizziness, or palpitations. Has the patient experienced diarrhea or increased thirst or urination?
Review the patient's medical history, noting especially diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease.
Obtain a drug history, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs, including the use of laxatives or enemas. Also, ask the patient about alcohol intake.
Ask the patient what he has had to eat and drink within the last 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about the previous 2 days’ intake for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten.
Ask the patient whether his eating or exercise habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia?
Ask the patient about conditions that may trigger overeating, such as stress, depression, or menstruation (if the patient is female). Does the patient actually feel hungry or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?
Ask the patient about associated signs and symptoms, such as changes in weight, fatigue, nervousness, excitability, heat intolerance, dizziness, or palpitations. Has the patient experienced diarrhea or increased thirst or urination?
Review the patient's medical history, noting especially diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease.
Obtain a drug history, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs, including the use of laxatives or enemas. Also, ask the patient about alcohol intake.
PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT:
Weigh the patient. Ask him if his current weight is different from his previous weight. Is it higher or lower?
Inspect the skin to detect dryness or poor turgor.
Palpate the thyroid for enlargement, noting edema, if present.
Weigh the patient. Ask him if his current weight is different from his previous weight. Is it higher or lower?
Inspect the skin to detect dryness or poor turgor.
Palpate the thyroid for enlargement, noting edema, if present.
SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
Corticosteroids and cyproheptadine may increase appetite, causing weight gain.
Corticosteroids and cyproheptadine may increase appetite, causing weight gain.
PEDIATRIC
POINTERS:
In children, polyphagia commonly results from juvenile diabetes.
In infants ages 6 to 18 months, polyphagia can result from malabsorptive disorders such as celiac disease.
Polyphagia may occur normally in a child who's experiencing a sudden growth spurt.
In children, polyphagia commonly results from juvenile diabetes.
In infants ages 6 to 18 months, polyphagia can result from malabsorptive disorders such as celiac disease.
Polyphagia may occur normally in a child who's experiencing a sudden growth spurt.
PATIENT
COUNSELING:
Offer the patient with polyphagia emotional support, and help him understand its underlying cause. Refer the patient and his family for psychological counseling, as appropriate.
Offer the patient with polyphagia emotional support, and help him understand its underlying cause. Refer the patient and his family for psychological counseling, as appropriate.
Bibliography:
1. Rapid Assessment, A
Flowchart Guide to Evaluating Signs & Symptoms, Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
2. Professional Guide to
Signs and symptoms, Edition V, Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2007.
3. Guide to common symptoms,
Edition V, McGraw - Hill, 2002.