Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Starvation natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
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Complications
Complications
- Immune deficiency may occur.
- Vitamin deficiency is also a common result of starvation, often resulting in anemia, beriberi, pellagra, and scurvy. These diseases collectively may cause diarrhea, skin rashes, edema, and heart failure. Individuals are often irritable, fatigued, and lethargic as a result.
Prognosis
Prognosis
In humans, prolonged starvation (in excess of 1-2 months) causes permanent organ damage and, eventually, death.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]