Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Excessive Hunger In A Diabetic?
Question: My husband, age 81 yrs. is a diabetic. For months, he has woken at XXXXXXX because of acute feelings of hunger, weakness, and discomfort. He arises, makes a cereal, etc, eats and returns to bed. He is diligent in checking his blood daily, several times and averages 5 I.U. insulin (70-30) which stabilizes him. In these
XXXXXXX events, he tests his blood sugar, which is within normal limits...we have no idea why this happens. He finishes eating about 10 p.m, with a dessert on the previous evenings.
Are his nutrient distribution organs failing in some way?
He has also had a cancer diagnosis last year, with resulting therapies (prostate type with metastases to thoracic spine and resultant damage to several vertebra there) and is in remission, and being checked periodically. I wanted him to take the bone building medication that I had for anti-osteoporosis treatment and it worked for me with an 8% rebuild rate, on checkups.
Please advise.
Are his nutrient distribution organs failing in some way?
He has also had a cancer diagnosis last year, with resulting therapies (prostate type with metastases to thoracic spine and resultant damage to several vertebra there) and is in remission, and being checked periodically. I wanted him to take the bone building medication that I had for anti-osteoporosis treatment and it worked for me with an 8% rebuild rate, on checkups.
Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Not due to failing organs.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The feeling of hunger at XXXXXXX can be related to resetting of his biological clock. If he gets up early in the morning, he is likely to feel hungry.
The thinning of bone due to metastasis is not likely to respond much to the calcium supplements. If it is osteoporosis then the pain might reduce to some extent.
If his blood sugar levels are within normal limits then there is no need to worry. Feeling hungry at odd times is not suggestive of any failing organs.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Not due to failing organs.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The feeling of hunger at XXXXXXX can be related to resetting of his biological clock. If he gets up early in the morning, he is likely to feel hungry.
The thinning of bone due to metastasis is not likely to respond much to the calcium supplements. If it is osteoporosis then the pain might reduce to some extent.
If his blood sugar levels are within normal limits then there is no need to worry. Feeling hungry at odd times is not suggestive of any failing organs.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm sorry you didn't understand my question about the spinal metastases. I am not talking about calcium supplements but about the medicines, alendronate and risedronate, given to increase production of new bone to replace old bone. Is the spine capable of rejuvenating with new bone as in a normal person, or is this vital capacity lost in the case of cancer deterioration of the vertebrae? Please clarify what is known about ways to repair this kind of destruction, if there are any.
Brief Answer:
These medicines will not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The bone weakening due to bone metastasis cannot be repaired with medicines like alendronate or risedronate. The bone metastasis can only decrease to some extent with the help of chemotherapy.
The new bone formation will not happen with medicines. The destruction can be reduced to some extent with chemotherapy.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
These medicines will not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The bone weakening due to bone metastasis cannot be repaired with medicines like alendronate or risedronate. The bone metastasis can only decrease to some extent with the help of chemotherapy.
The new bone formation will not happen with medicines. The destruction can be reduced to some extent with chemotherapy.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
