It would be very difficult to find someone in India who has not seen Rajkumar Hirani’s Aamir Khan starrer ‘Three Idiots.’ Did you know that the character of Phunsukh Wangdu, that Khan plays in the movie, is loosely based on a real person named Sonam Wangchuk?
That’s right! Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer, innovator and education reformist based in Ladakh, the union territory where he was born. Wangchuk has been in the news recently after he went on a hunger strike to urge the Central Government to provide statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. The purpose of this demand is to preserve Ladakh's fragile mountain ecology and the rights and agency of its indigenous people.
The hunger strike which began on March 6, came to an end yesterday, after 21 gruelling days of no food and staying out in the open in sub-zero temperatures. While Wangchuk’s cause has been supported by numerous Ladakhis across the country, it has also incited curiosity about the health repercussions of going on a hunger strike.
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To understand what happens in the body after 21 days of no food, the OnlyMyHealth team spoke to Dr Pratik Tibdewal, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road.
What Happens To The Body During A Hunger Strike?
Wangchuk’s well-wishers and supporters had been urging him tremendously to give up his hunger strike, assuring him that fellow protesters could jump in and carry the hunger strike on his behalf. The main concern was Wangchuk’s age of 57 years, and his insistence on staying outside in sub-zero temperatures throughout his strike.
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A 21-day hunger strike is no joke! This has been established by numerous studies. For example, a study conducted by researchers from Istanbul, who assessed 25 people on a hunger strike said ‘Hunger strike is a very serious entity which may lead to severe diseases and death.’ Another research that studied starvation among prisoners noted how many people had started to go mad by the 13th day of starvation, and many had become bedbound by the 10th day.
Dr Tibdewal commented, “While hunger strikes are often used as a form of protest, they can have severe consequences on the body, including nutritional deficiencies, organ damage, and immune system suppression.”
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He highlighted some of the changes that happen in the body after a long hunger strike:
- Weight loss: The body primarily relies on stored fat and muscle tissue for energy, leading to significant weight loss.
- Muscle breakdown: As the body enters a state of starvation, it breaks down muscle tissue to provide amino acids for energy production.
- Decreased metabolism: Metabolic rate slows down to conserve energy, leading to a decrease in overall energy expenditure.
- Organ damage: Prolonged fasting can lead to damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart due to nutrient depletion and metabolic imbalances.
- Weakening of the immune system: Nutrient deficiencies and prolonged fasting weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
While Wangchuk has been protesting for a noble cause and his efforts have truly brought the nation's attention toward the issues of Ladakh, Dr Tibdewal concluded that it is crucial for people engaging in hunger strikes to be aware of these potential risks and to seek medical attention if necessary.