Amidst Sonam Wangchuk's prolonged hunger strike, learn what changes occur in the body when you abstain from food for a long time. Which organs can be affected, and how dangerous can Refeeding Syndrome be?

The effect of hunger strike on the body

Renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has undertaken several long hunger strikes to protect Ladakh's environment and secure its Sixth Schedule status. Surviving for 21 days under the open sky, in sub-zero temperatures, on just water and salt, is no easy feat. Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a person's body when they go without a single grain of food for weeks? Let's understand how the body functions during a hunger strike. Which organ responds first, and how does medical science save such lives?

The body's own 'backup system'

The body doesn't panic when you stop eating. For the first 24 to 48 hours, the body uses glucose stored in the liver and muscles for energy. When this is exhausted, the body enters a process called ketosis, where it begins burning stored fat for energy. During this time, one feels intense hunger, weakness, and headaches. Satyagrahis like Wangchuk overcome this initial and most difficult discomfort with their strong will.

When the body starts eating itself

After about a week, all body fat begins to melt away. Left with no other option to survive, the body begins to break down its own muscles to generate energy. This is called starvation mode. A person's weight begins to drop rapidly. Bones become visible, and even sitting or standing causes blurred vision. Blood pressure and pulse rate drop to dangerous levels.

Which organ stops working first?

This is the stage where the body begins to break down from within. The kidneys and heart are the first and most fatal casualties of a hunger strike.

• Kidney failure: When the body breaks down its own muscles, toxins build up in the bloodstream. The kidneys are responsible for filtering these toxins. Lack of food disrupts the balance of electrolytes (potassium, sodium) in the body. Lacking nutrients other than water, the kidneys are put under tremendous pressure to filter these toxins, and they are the first to fail. This is called acute kidney injury.
• Heart Risk: As potassium and magnesium levels decrease, the heart's heartbeat becomes irregular. Pumping blood becomes difficult for the heart. The risk of death from a heart attack is highest during a prolonged hunger strike.

When does the system completely fail?

According to medical science, after three weeks, the body's entire system begins to shut down. This is why Sonam Wangchuk often limits his fasts to 21 days, as the risk of death increases exponentially after that time.

How is life saved in the last stage?

When someone breaks a hunger strike of 21 days or more, saving their life is a very delicate process. They cannot be given bread or rice immediately. If a starving person is suddenly fed a heavy meal, their body cannot tolerate it. This condition, called refeeding syndrome, can lead to heart failure and immediate death.

Medical method of saving life

• Drip support: First, electrolytes (potassium, calcium, magnesium) and essential vitamins are delivered directly into the bloodstream through a drip into the veins.
• Liquids: Patients are given a few drops of lemon water, coconut water, or very thin juice by the spoonful. You may have noticed that Sonam Wangchuk always breaks his fast with juice.
• Weeks of observation: Continuous fasting causes the digestive system to shrink completely. Therefore, the patient must remain under medical supervision for several weeks, and they are gradually restored to solid food.