System Effects

Digestive system Low acid production by the stomach Frequent, often fatal diarrhea

Cardiovascular system

(Heart and blood vessels) Reduced heart size, reduced amount of blood pumped, slow heart rate, and low blood pressure

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Ultimately, heart failure

Respiratory system Slow breathing, reduced lung capacity

Ultimately, respiratory failure

Reproductive system Reduced size of ovaries in women and testes in men

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Loss of sex drive (libido)

Cessation of menstrual periods

Nervous system Apathy and irritability, although intellect remains intact

Muscular system Low capacity for exercise or world because of reduced muscle size and strength

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Hematologic system (blood) Anemia

Metabolic system Low body temperature (hypothermia) frequently contributing to death Fluid accumulation in the skin, resulting mainly from disappearance of fat under the skin

Immune system Impaired ability to fight infections and repair wounds

Starvation may result from fasting, famine, anorexia nervosa, severe gastrointestinal disease, stroke, or coma. The body resists starvation by breaking down its own tissues and using them as a source of calories-much like burning the furniture to keep a house warm. As a result, internal organs and muscle are progressively damaged, and body fat (adipose tissue) nearly disappears.

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Adults can lose up to half of their body weight, and children can lose even more. Proportional weight loss is greatest in the liver and intestines, moderate in the heart and kidney, and least in the nervous system. The most obvious signs of emaciation are wasting in areas where the body normally stores fat, reduced muscle size, and protruding bones. The skin becomes thin, dry, inelastic, pale, and cold. The hair, which becomes day and sparse, falls out easily. Most body systems are affected. Total starvation is fatal in 8 to 12 weeks.

Treatment

Restoring food intake to normal amounts requires a considerable amount of time; depending on how long a person has been without food and how severely the body is affected. The gastrointestinal tract shrinks during starvation and can’t accommodate a normal diet all at once. Liquids such as juice, milk, broth, and clear soup are recommended for those who can take food by mouth. After a few days of liquids, a solid diet can be started and increased gradually to 5,000 or more calories a day. Usually, bland foods are recommended, given in small portions at frequent intervals to avoid diarrhea. A person should gain 3 to 4 pounds a week until a normal weight is reached. Some people need to be fed through a nasogastric tube at first. Intravenous feeding may be needed if malabsorption and diarrhea persist.