Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesMedication CausesComplicationsWhen to EatSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Medication Causes
Complications
When to Eat
Seeking Medical Care
Hunger pangs are feelings of hunger. You may have used this term when you’ve heard your stomach rumbling or feeling empty.
Hunger pangs typically are harmless and go away once you consume food. However, if these feelings are intense and do not go away after eating, you should see a medical professional for a thorough evaluation.
This article discusses the causes, signs, symptoms, and complications of hunger pangs.
Sally Anscombe / Getty Images.
Hunger Pang Symptoms
Feelings of hunger may occur at certain times of the day, depending on when you usually eat food, or they can be stimulated due to senses, such as the smell or appearance of food. Although these feelings are usually harmless, they can be uncomfortable, especially if you’ve gone many hours without eating.
Physical symptoms of hunger pangs include:
Why Am I Always Hungry?
Rare Symptoms
Causes of Hunger Pangs
Hunger pangs are your body’s response to needing nutrients. They often occur when you have not eaten for a long time. After hours without food, blood sugar drops, andghrelin(the hunger-signaling hormone) is released.This hormone signals to your brain that your stomach is empty. “Pang” is a term used to describe cramping due to hunger.
Other causes of hunger pangs include:
Everyone experiences hunger pangs differently, some more aggressively than others.
What Medications Can Cause Hunger Pangs?
Medications can contribute to hunger pangs if they increase feelings of hunger or appetite. If you respond to hunger with foods high incarbohydratesbut lacking fiber, your hunger can be consistent and appear soon after meals.
Medications used to treatseizuresand psychological conditions such asdepressionandanxietymay also increase appetite.
If you suspect your medication is causing you to be uncomfortably hungry or gain weight, discuss your concerns with your medical provider. Your provider might be able to guide you in reducing this effect or devise an alternative option.
Should You Eat When You Have Hunger Pangs?
Hunger pangs are a sign your body needs to eat. Avoiding these physiological symptoms can result in uncomfortable feelings, such asheadachesthat impact daily functioning. In addition, skipping meals or snacks may result in missing out on key nutrients like vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fat that are important for overall health.
Eating when you are hungry will alleviate your symptoms. And eating regular, balanced meals that contain fibrous carbohydrates, healthy fat, and protein can keep you full for hours.This is particularly helpful if you are constantly feeling hungry. If you are always hungry shortly after meals, it may be because you are not eating the right combination of foods.
What Is a Balanced Meal?An example of a balanced meal may include baked salmon (or a protein of your choice like tofu, chicken, lean beef, or shrimp) with roasted butternut squash and sauteed broccoli.
What Is a Balanced Meal?
An example of a balanced meal may include baked salmon (or a protein of your choice like tofu, chicken, lean beef, or shrimp) with roasted butternut squash and sauteed broccoli.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Reach out to a healthcare provider anytime you experience consistent symptoms you are unfamiliar with. If you have pain in your stomach that won’t go away or are constantly hungry, despite eating balanced meals, an evaluation is warranted.
See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms along with hunger pangs, including fever, body aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, rapid weight loss, and headaches. A thorough assessment can help to diagnose and rule out other medical conditions.
Hunger pangs associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea, gas, and vomiting, that have prevented you from eating and drinking normally may need to be evaluated, especially if you cannot keep fluids down. These can be signs of astomach bug or foodborne illness,increasing the risk of dehydration.
If you have a history of dieting, you may have trouble with hunger cues and eating regularly. Working with a medical professional is important if you have a history of eating disorders.Early detection and treatment are essential for a full recovery.
Summary
Hunger pangs are physical symptoms of hunger. They occur when your body needs nutrients, when hormone levels shift, and when you are used to eating. This can happen if you are not eating regular, balanced meals or if you are not getting adequate sleep.
These symptoms usually are harmless and go away shortly after eating. However, if your feelings are ongoing or associated with other symptoms, you should contact a medical professional for an evaluation.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sanger GJ, Hellström PM, Näslund E.The hungry stomach: physiology, disease, and drug development opportunities.Front Pharmacol. 2011;1:145. doi:10.3389/fphar.2010.00145American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.M.A. Ackermans, N.C. Jonker, E.C. Bennik, P.J. de Jong.Hunger increases negative and decreases positive emotions in women with a healthy weight.Appetite.2022 (168). doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105746Merriam-Webster.We prescribe “hunger pangs” over “hunger pains”.GI Society.Hunger and appetite.Verhaegen AA, Van Gaal LF.Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism.Endotext [Internet].2019.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Prader-Willi syndrome.Zeballos E, Todd JE.The effects of skipping a meal on daily energy intake and diet quality.Public Health Nutr.2020;23(18):3346-3355. doi:10.1017/S1368980020000683Dhillon J. Craig BA, Leidy HJ, Amankwaah AF.The effects of increased protein intake on fullness: A meta-analysis and its limitations.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(6):968-983. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.003National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders: about more than food.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sanger GJ, Hellström PM, Näslund E.The hungry stomach: physiology, disease, and drug development opportunities.Front Pharmacol. 2011;1:145. doi:10.3389/fphar.2010.00145American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.M.A. Ackermans, N.C. Jonker, E.C. Bennik, P.J. de Jong.Hunger increases negative and decreases positive emotions in women with a healthy weight.Appetite.2022 (168). doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105746Merriam-Webster.We prescribe “hunger pangs” over “hunger pains”.GI Society.Hunger and appetite.Verhaegen AA, Van Gaal LF.Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism.Endotext [Internet].2019.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Prader-Willi syndrome.Zeballos E, Todd JE.The effects of skipping a meal on daily energy intake and diet quality.Public Health Nutr.2020;23(18):3346-3355. doi:10.1017/S1368980020000683Dhillon J. Craig BA, Leidy HJ, Amankwaah AF.The effects of increased protein intake on fullness: A meta-analysis and its limitations.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(6):968-983. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.003National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders: about more than food.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sanger GJ, Hellström PM, Näslund E.The hungry stomach: physiology, disease, and drug development opportunities.Front Pharmacol. 2011;1:145. doi:10.3389/fphar.2010.00145American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.M.A. Ackermans, N.C. Jonker, E.C. Bennik, P.J. de Jong.Hunger increases negative and decreases positive emotions in women with a healthy weight.Appetite.2022 (168). doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105746Merriam-Webster.We prescribe “hunger pangs” over “hunger pains”.GI Society.Hunger and appetite.Verhaegen AA, Van Gaal LF.Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism.Endotext [Internet].2019.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Prader-Willi syndrome.Zeballos E, Todd JE.The effects of skipping a meal on daily energy intake and diet quality.Public Health Nutr.2020;23(18):3346-3355. doi:10.1017/S1368980020000683Dhillon J. Craig BA, Leidy HJ, Amankwaah AF.The effects of increased protein intake on fullness: A meta-analysis and its limitations.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(6):968-983. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.003National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders: about more than food.
Sanger GJ, Hellström PM, Näslund E.The hungry stomach: physiology, disease, and drug development opportunities.Front Pharmacol. 2011;1:145. doi:10.3389/fphar.2010.00145
American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.
M.A. Ackermans, N.C. Jonker, E.C. Bennik, P.J. de Jong.Hunger increases negative and decreases positive emotions in women with a healthy weight.Appetite.2022 (168). doi:10.1016/j.appet.2021.105746
Merriam-Webster.We prescribe “hunger pangs” over “hunger pains”.
GI Society.Hunger and appetite.
Verhaegen AA, Van Gaal LF.Drugs that affect body weight, body fat distribution, and metabolism.Endotext [Internet].2019.
National Organization of Rare Disorders.Prader-Willi syndrome.
Zeballos E, Todd JE.The effects of skipping a meal on daily energy intake and diet quality.Public Health Nutr.2020;23(18):3346-3355. doi:10.1017/S1368980020000683
Dhillon J. Craig BA, Leidy HJ, Amankwaah AF.The effects of increased protein intake on fullness: A meta-analysis and its limitations.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(6):968-983. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.003
National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders: about more than food.
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