Guest Author - Sharon Lasitter
The never ending cycle of hunger pangs
As you ingest a meal, the stomach receives it with wave-like movements called peristalsis. Peristalsis churns the food together with stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or HLC,) and produces a ball of digested food, called chyme. The chyme then moves along into the duodenum, or the upper section of the small intestine, where it is again met with this undulating motion.
As the stomach empties, the peristalsis continues. We then begin producing a hormone in the stomach lining called grehlin. Grehlin regulates the appetite, and signals the need to eat again – we call this sensation hunger. When grehlin puts out its hunger signals, the wave-like motion in the stomach increases in intensity, becoming “hunger pangs.” Along with these hunger pangs, often comes a slight headache, mental fogginess and feelings of fatigue. When we feel these pains, we know for certain that we are hungry and it’s time to eat again. Another phenomenon that occurs when our stomach is empty, is a growling sound, which appears to indicate hunger. This “growling” happens when the stomach and/or intestines have become empty, and the gurgling sounds of ever-present peristalsis are no longer muffled by GI tract contents. This is why sometimes, even when we don’t feel hunger, our stomach still growls, as it is not always the stomach, but the intestines that are making the sounds.
When feelings of "hunger" are not really hunger
Because we live in a culture of want and satisfaction, we have become conditioned to respond to feelings of boredom, anxiety, restlessness and happiness with food. Without realizing it, many times we experience unidentified feelings of thirst that we confuse with hunger, and so we eat instead of drinking water. Sometimes acid reflux or GERD leaves a burning sensation in the stomach region which can also be confused with hunger pangs. We can feel the urge to eat in an attempt to stifle the pain.
Being aware of true hunger pangs, and identifying other sorts of hunger for satisfaction, and of course thirst, is an important step in not only getting to know ourselves, but also in managing our weight, health and emotional issues. Also, being in touch with whether a small snack is needed for an energy boost, as opposed to a meal will be of great benefit to you. So, before reaching for food, check in with yourself and identify what sort of "hunger" you are really feeling!
*Please know that I am not a medical doctor or a health practitioner. I cannot diagnose your stomach problems nor can I guarantee a cure. I am here to share my knowledge, which applications have worked for me and to offer suggestions of where you may go physically, emotionally and spiritually for healing and self-empowerment. If you choose to explore alternative medicine, do not independently stop taking your prescribed medications. Always consult with your current doctor as well as your new practitioner when changing your medical program. Find a Naturopath near you.
