Starvation Symptoms, Causes, Effects

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Starvation Symptoms, Causes, Effects

What is Starvation?

Starvation is the worst form of malnutrition. It results from a severe lack of essential nutrients and caloric energy over a long period. Patients can be treated. Even, people can recover from severe degrees of starvation to a normal stature and function. But, untreated and prolong starvation may cause permanent organ damage become life threatening. According to the FAO, about 14% of the world population is affected by the less severe condition of undernourishment currently. Starvationoccurs mostly in less economically developed countries and mainly in Africa. Starvation is caused by lack of money and food supplies in countries and in individual families.

Why Does Starvation Occurs?

Causes of Starvation are-

• Main cause of starvation- More energy expenditure than energy intake by the body for medical problems or life style
• Poverty
• Inability to obtain food for few conditions such as famine, child abuse, being lost in wilderness or desert areas, aftermath of war or other disaster
• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Intentional fasting
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Coeliac Disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Constant vomiting
• Major depressive disorder
• Coma
• Stroke

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Starvation?

• Irritability
• Hunger and loss of body weight
• Decreased muscle power and endurance
• Anemia and signs of other specific nutrient deficiencies such as beriberi, pellagra, scurvy etc
• Chronic diarrhea
• Impulsivity
• Hyperactivity
• Skin rashes or, dry, cracked skin; Swelling from fluid under the skin
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe dehydration
• Fatigue
• Edema
• Atrophy of the stomach
• Lethargy
• All movements becoming painful
• Immune deficiency
• Decreased ability to digest food
• Shrinkage of certain vital organs
• Reduction in muscle mass and consequent weakness
• Hypothermia with extreme sensitivity to cold
• Irregular menes in female

Starvation Symptoms, Causes, Effects

When to make an appointment with doctor?

If someone has symptoms of starvation, should go to a doctor. If someone has serious complications of starvation or following situation, he/ she should go to a doctor immediately-

• Chronic diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe dehydration
• Decreased ability to digest food
• Hypothermia
• Symptoms of malnutrition or specific nutrient deficiencies

If you find that a person whom you know has situations mentioned above, advise him to visit a doctor. Because, he/ she may not realize the necessity.

What are the Complications of Starvation?

Prolong Starvation may cause severe complications such as-

• Hallucinations
• Convulsions
• Severe muscle pain
• Bones becoming brittle
• Disturbances in heart rhythm
• Heart failure
• Death
• In children, growth retardation

What is the way of Starvation Prevention?

• Eat enough food to prevent starvation. Maintain a nutritionally complete diet. If you are fat and want to lose your weight, you should cut out the fattening foods, but include healthy foods in diet.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Drink at least 6 glasses of water daily.
• Keep your body strong and healthy by eating properly.
• If you are from a developing country, you may see many people who are starved. If you have enough foods, don’t through it away. You can help them by giving foods.
  If we can spend money for our entertainment, why cannot we donate to established charities that support people with these conditions? Of course we should do it.
• We should teach uneducated people about healthy diet and results of starvation or malnutrition.
• Plant fruit trees and other useful plants as much as possible.
• We should support farmers in areas of food insecurity.