The body’s response to starvation
When the body is starved of food, it will go through a series of changes. The first thing that happens is that the digestive system shuts down. The body will also start to break down muscle and fat for energy. This can lead to a number of health problems, so it is important to get medical help if you are starving.
The brain’s response to starvation
It is a common misconception that the brain is the first organ to shut down when the body is starving. However, this is not the case. In fact, the brain actually has a very high metabolic rate and requires a constant supply of glucose and other nutrients to function properly. When the body is starved of food, it will break down its own tissue to supply the brain with the nutrients it needs. This includes breaking down muscle tissue and organs, which can eventually lead to death.
The heart’s response to starvation
Over time, the heart muscle begins to atrophy or waste away. The initial compensatory mechanisms to maintain cardiac output begin to fail. The heart rate begins to slow as the body conserves energy. Blood pressure begins to drop as well. As starvation progresses and fluid losses exceed fluid intake, dehydration occurs and blood volume decreases further, exacerbating these problems. Arrhythmias, or abnormalities in heart rhythm, become more common as electrolytes become imbalanced and the work of the heart becomes more irregular. Heart failure may eventually result, leading to death.
The lungs’ response to starvation
The body’s response to starvation is a complex process that involves many different organs and systems. One of the first organs to be affected by starvation is the lungs. The body’s demand for oxygen increases during starvation, but the lungs are unable to meet this demand. The result is a decrease in the efficiency of the respiratory system, which can lead to a number of respiratory problems.
In severe cases of starvation, the lungs may actually begin to shut down. This can cause a condition called pulmonary edema, which is characterized by fluid buildup in the lungs. Pulmonary edema can be deadly if not treated immediately.
The organs that shut down first when starving
The brain
The brain is the first organ to shut down when starving. This is because the brain needs a constant supply of glucose (sugar) to function properly. When the body does not have enough glucose, the brain starts to shut down.
The heart
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body. It needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to keep it going. When the body is starved of food, it starts to break down its own organs and tissues to use as energy. The heart is one of the first organs to be affected.
The heart muscle can start to weaken and the valves in the heart may not work properly. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat and, in some cases, heart failure. The lack of food can also cause blood pressure to drop, which can make someone feel faint or dizzy.
Other organs that may be affected include the brain, liver, and kidneys.
The lungs
The first organ system to “shut down” is the digestive system. Salivary glands stop producing saliva, which means that people can no longer swallow. The stomach stops sending signals to the brain to continue eating and peristalsis, the rhythmic muscle contractions that push food through the digestive system, grinds to a halt.
The next system to fail is the circulatory system. Blood pressure plummets, and heart rate slows as the body tries to conserve energy. The body temperature also drops in an effort to conserve heat. As a result, people feel very cold and may experience hypothermia.
The respiratory system is usually the last to go. The lungs begin to produce less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. This can lead to a condition called respiratory acidosis, in which there is too much carbon dioxide in the blood. People may feel short of breath and have difficulty breathing. In some cases, they may stop breathing altogether and go into cardiac arrest.