Starvation, for whatever reasons, is the severe reduction in our intake, which leads to our body being deprived of important nutrients that give us energy and health. Severe damage to our physical and mental health or even death may be caused by prolonged starvation. We can understand the extent to which it affects us by looking at how the body reacts to starvation at its different stages.
Causes of Starvation
The following causes may lead to starvation:
- Poverty
- Famine due to overpopulation or war
- Fasting or dieting without medical supervision
- Digestive disorders
- Diabetes
- Constant vomiting
- Coma
What Really Happens During Starvation
We will look at the effects of starvation on metabolism from day one:
- On the very first day, after 4 hours of fasting, the body uses up the glucose reserves in order to help with the functioning of the brain. After 8 hours, the body begins to use glycogen stored in the liver to extract energy. This process is called glycogenolysis, wherein glycogen is converted into glucose.
- At the end of 12 hours, the body begins to use glycogen that is stored in the muscles. The usage of glycogen in muscles continues up to the 3rd day, after which the body starts to use up the stored fat. This fat is converted into ketone, which provides fuel for the brain.
- As the person loses more and more fat from the 4th day onwards, he suffers intolerable hunger pangs. Depending on the size of the patient's body and the amount of fat available in it, this process continues till the body starts to feed on the protein found in the muscles of the body. The body resorts to this to save the essential fats in the body that protect it. This, in turn, is to safeguard the vital organs, which are normally covered and protected by fat, from developing any major complications.
Physiological and Psychological Damage of Starvation
People always look at a person's health in purely physical terms, and do not realize that it is related to psychological health too. The body adjusts to starvation by slowing down the metabolism and conserving the resources in it. In spite of this, the lack of food takes its toll on the body and disrupts its normal functioning physically, emotionally and even affects the cognitive functioning.
The Physical Effects of Starvation
The person who is starving will experience the following physical effects:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Momentary blackouts
- Sleeplessness
The Cosmetic Ill-Effects of Starvation
Unlike the poorest of the poor, there are some who look upon starving as a quick means for weight loss and to look pretty. Unfortunately, they don't get to look better; rather their appearance goes from bad to worse. Some of the symptoms they experience are:
- Thin, dry hair and hair loss
- Pale, dry, scaly skin
- Emaciation (extreme leanness)
- Bleeding gums
- Decaying teeth
- Bloated abdomen
Serious Consequences of Starvation
The following serious ailments would then take over the body and could even lead to an untimely death:
- Muscle weakness
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Constipation
- Feeling cold at times
- Changes in blood pressure
- Decreased immunity
- Bone loss and fragility
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Renal failure
Emotional Effects of Starvation
People who starve are also affected emotionally. They experience the following:
- Irritability
- Anger
- Depression
- Anxiety
This could lead to more serious mental problems such as loss of emotions and damaged cognitive ability. In some cases, psychotic behavior may result from starvation.
It is foolish to let our bodies starve just because we are too busy to eat or because it is "the in thing" to do so. Instead, expert advice should be sought before resorting to such foolishness. A properly-planned-out diet and exercise regime is the smart way to go about it. Of course, people who are forced to starve because of their circumstances don't have much choice!
